5 best Holly Holm performances in the UFC

Holly Holm became the new UFC bantamweight champion in 2015
Holly Holm became the new UFC bantamweight champion in 2015

#4. Holly Holm vs. Irene Aldana at UFC Fight Island 4

UFC Fight Night Holm vs. Aldana: Weigh-Ins
UFC Fight Night Holm vs. Aldana: Weigh-Ins

UFC Fight Island 4 was an exhibition of Holly Holm's volume striking. That's not to say that Irene Aldana's performance wasn't worth talking about. The Mexican went neck-in-neck with the American and made sure the fight went the distance. But the night belonged to 'The Preacher's Daughter'.

After teasing the Mexican from a distance, the American started dominating her opponent and peppering her with combinations. In the closing seconds of the first round, 'The Preacher's Daughter' shot for a takedown and successfully ended the round in the top position.

Prior to this, Aldana had only been taken down twice in her last eight fights and also had the best takedown defense amongst all female fighters in the promotion.

While she kept outstriking Aldana throughout the entire fight, the last round was where she came into her element. As per official stats, the 40-year-old outlanded the Mexican 48-18 in significant strikes on target, thereby ending the fight on a high.


#3. Holly Holm vs. Cristiane Justino at UFC 219

UFC 219 was one of the toughest fights of Holm's career. { Credits: @criscyborg on Instagram}
UFC 219 was one of the toughest fights of Holm's career. { Credits: @criscyborg on Instagram}

UFC 219 against Cristiane Justino counts as one of Holly Holm's best performances due to the durability she showed inside the octagon. Although she lost via unanimous decision, she showed some character during the fight.

'The Preacher's Daughter' endured heavy blows from 'Cyborg' but made sure to take the fight right till the final bell. With this, she became the first fighter in the promotion to make the then-Featherweight Champion go the distance for a win.

Justino, often regarded as one of the best female fighters in the promotion, went on the offensive from the opening bell. She pounded Holly Holm with head shots, often mixing them with blows to the body whenever she saw the opportunity. According to the official stats, 'Cyborg' outlanded Holm 118-44 in significant strikes on target.

The former Bantamweight Champion, however, wasn't someone to give up. She cut 'Cyborg' in the first two rounds and tried to counter with her volume striking. By the end of the fourth round, Holm's eyes were swollen badly but she didn't allow 'Cyborg' to finish her.

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