Holly Holm was one of professional boxing’s most successful women before she took the MMA world by storm. The former UFC Bantamweight Champion was also Ring Magazine’s Female Fighter of the Year in 2005 and 2006. However, Holm is set to make one more run to reclaim the bantamweight championship title as she has recently signed a new six-fight deal with the UFC.
Holm recently appeared in an interview with a set of reporters as part of the UFC San Antonio media day. During the interview, she discussed her goals and plans moving forward as she turns over a new leaf in her already illustrious career.
Holm gained fame after she defeated Ronda Rousey at UFC 193 in 2015 to win the bantamweight title. But she didn’t hold onto the belt for long, as Meisha Tate defeated her in the very first defense. Holm has since made three unsuccessful attempts to recover the gold. Therefore, reporters were eager to find out if she would attempt to win the championship a fourth time on March 25.
“Absolutely.” Holm comfirmed. “I think that’s the only thing you need to be focused on if you’re in this game, if you don’t want to be the champion, [then] what are you doing here? You know? It’s a scary path to, really take because you know that means you have to take the toughest fights and you have to be successful.
That’s where all that pressure kind of comes in on you, but if I’m going to be here, I’m going to [go] all the way.”
Holm hopes to get back on track with a convincing victory over Yana Santos on March 25. However, since Santos hasn’t competed in more than two years, she is seen as a step down in competition. Holm was asked whether she was considering Santos as a step towards another title shot or if she was considering a more patient approach after her title expectations were confirmed.
“One fight at a time, for sure, is my mindset. Because, you know, that’s the only fight you’re promised right now. And who knows what’s going to happen? Maybe there’s going to be injuries; there’s going to be something that’s career-ending; you never know!
Tomorrow is not promised and I try to [think about the one fight] and I also think it’s better for me to stay focused that way because if you win this fight, then it opens the door to the next fight.
[Santos] is a big [bantamweight] like me, you know? She might be an inch taller than me; she’s strong; she’s got a gas tank on her. I used to train with her, she trains hard. She’s kind of unpredictable, you know? You get in the clinch [she may] surprise you with some things. On the feet, she throws bunches of punches, and so, there’s a lot of strengths that she has.”
The aging fighter has only six fights left to make the most of her career. If she manages to become a two-time champion, she will set the record for the oldest female UFC champion at 41 years old.
Santos too hopes to boost her own career by defeating a well-known fighter like Holm. Keep an eye on Thirsty For News to know what ultimately happens in the tough challenge on March 25.
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