#4 The Preacher’s Daughter shocks the world
Holly ‘The Preacher’s Daughter’ Holm (10-2) is a multiple-time boxing world champion, former-amateur kickboxer and a former UFC Women’s Bantamweight (BW/135-pound) champion. Her MMA base is boxing and kickboxing, but she has also developed decent grappling during her young MMA career.
‘Rowdy’ Ronda Rousey (12-2) is an Olympic Judo bronze medalist, former Strikeforce BW champion and a former longtime UFC BW champion with multiple title-defenses to her name.
Holm faced Rousey for Rowdy’s BW strap at UFC 193 in November of 2015, in front of more than 56,000 MMA fans at Etihad stadium in Melbourne, Austrailia. Holm dominated the-then undefeated Rousey from bell to bell, en-route to a second round head-kick KO victory.
Holm not only beat the formerly-invincible Rousey, she dominated her in every aspect of the fight including the mat, where Rousey destroyed virtually every previous opponent. Holm went into the fight as a huge underdog and ended up dominating the ‘Rowdy’ judoka whilst giving the fans a striking-masterclass.
Holm’s post-fight celebration became a part of MMA folklore, where the usually calm and composed fighter, spread her hands in pure joy and relief as akin to a bird successfully setting flight for the first time. Holm celebrated with her corner, friends and family and also showed her appreciation and respect for her vanquished foe.
She had tears in her eyes, but they were tears of joy; the result of year-and-years of hard work. She capped it off with her traditional post-fight backflip and exited the Octagon to a large round of applause from the pumped up Australian crowd.
