Even if the UFC holds events for another 50 years, few moments will compare to Holly Holms head-kick KO of Ronda Rousey. Many fans believed Rousey would be the GOAT. But the loss to Holm and a followup loss to Amanda Nunes sent Rousey packing for WWE. Since her incredible upset win, Holm has managed only a 3-5 record in the UFC.

Although her losses were against some of the UFCs greatest, (Nunes, Cris Cyborg, Valentina Shevchenko, and Germaine de Randamie) a losing record doesnt seem to justify the three title shots Holm has received since losing the belt. Does she agree? Not so much.

Womens MMA is still a new sport, especially in the UFC. Holms win over Rousey is an all-time great moment. And Holm continued to be a great force for the sport. Shes taken fights that dont suit her, along with short-notice fights against heavily-favored opponents. Holm is loyal to the UFC brand and many of the womens divisions are still filling out.

Without top-level contenders, it makes sense for Holm to step in and create exciting fights in the meantime. It may seem like shes receiving title fights she doesnt deserve. But much of todays WMMA popularity is built on Holms career and shes not exactly pushing more deserving fighters aside.

Despite her up-and-down record, the UFC rankings currently list Holm at No. 2 among Womens Bantamweight fighters and No. 8 among all women. Her losses have been to the pound for pound No. 1, No. 3, and No. 9 fighters (along with Cyborg and Miesha Tate, who no longer compete in the UFC).

If theres an argument that Holm simply doesnt have it anymore, additional evidence is necessary. After retirement rumors swirled in mid-2019, Holm returned to the cage and won a unanimous decision over former title challenger Raquel Pennington. This set her up for another title fight in the near future.

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Prior to facing Holm, Rousey felt the confidence that years of adoration from fans and critics create. Everybody tries to come at me in different ways, Rousey said, and I think their approach is going to be the most strategic and well-thought-out, but no amount of strategy can beat me, and Im going to show them that.

But things turned around quickly in the Octagon as Holm dominated the first round. Moving into the second, commentators wondered if Rousey would go to a decision for the first time in her career. A minute into round two, Holm landed a head kick that won her the belt. She dominated sports headlines for the next week.

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Since beating Rousey, Holm immediately lost the belt to Tate and managed a total record of three wins, five losses. But no amount of losses diminishes the shock that Holm sent throughout the MMA world when she knocked out Rousey. And some of that shock has certainly played into her title shots.

But that isnt necessarily a bad thing. Holm was the first fighter, man or woman, to win world championships in both boxing and MMA. Her impact will likely be felt for the entire future of womens MMA. Shes approaching 40 years old, but the shallow womens divisions she fights in have plenty of space.

Holms dominance in the boxing ring and strong point-fighting style in the Octagon have kept her largely injury-free throughout her career. Even if she never wins another fight, Holm has contributed a legendary story to MMA history and given boxers the blueprint to succeed.

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Holly Holm Defends Her Many Chances to Earn a UFC Title: 'There's a Reason' - Sportscasting