Top 10 lesser known facts about UFC women's champion Holly Holm

The Underdog that conquered RondaA few months back, the name Holly Holm wouldn’t have rang any bells in our heads. We did not care about her elite career in boxing, we did not care about how much force her kicks carried, she was virtually unknown until she came up against UFC’s biggest draw, Ronda Rousey.In comparison to Holm, Rousey was a star. She had the bright limelight of Hollywood shining above her head, she was worshiped by the paparazzis that died to get a glimpse of her, hell, she even had her WrestleMania moment with Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.It was, for the passive viewer, a match that Holm was destined to lose.But that is the beauty of her win. She was the underdog and we always love when an underdog gets out there and shouts ‘Yo Adrian’ (unwanted Rocky reference). So the bottom line is, Holm now has the spotlight on her and we are going to take a look at some interesting facts about the girl that out classed the Rowdy.

#10 The Preachers daughter

Holly is nicknamed ‘The Preacher’s Daughter’. Although it might not be an intimidating one for a female MMA fighter, she sticks around with this name because of her father, Roger.

Roger was a preacher in the Bosque Farms Church of Christ for nearly 18 years and she proudly took up the name because of this. The spiritual roots of her father has influenced Holly as well as she enjoys reading the bible during her free time.

As far as the name is concerned, she proved that an intimidating name is not needed to get the work done inside the octagon of UFC.

#9 Academic and athletic background

If you thought Holly can only knock people out with her vicious kicks, think again. Holly is booksmart and graduated from the Manzano High School back in 2000. Holly also went to the Univeristy of Mexico to mug in some finance and Accounting for one year and holds a Realtor’s license.

Apart from her academics, Holly was pretty active in athletic grounds. She participated in Gymnastics, Swimming and diving along with Soccer. All of this proved to be a great foundation for the boxing career that she took up after her stay in University of Mexico.

It all started in the Aerobics Classes that she used to take. God Bless Aerobic Classes.

#8 Beating up boys in School and riding bikes

Holly was a handful when she was young. Along with her two elder brothers, she used to have a lot of fun and one such outing gaver her a lasting scar in her left leg.

Holly and her brothers used to ride along in a 1975 Yamaha Enduro although the bike was a single seater. One day, she fell out from the bike with her brothers and unfortunaly for her, the heated muffler landed right on her legs thus giving her the scar.

Holly has also a history of beating up boys during her school time. So with two brothers and her capability, she was clearly not someone to mess with during her school days.

#7 Tiling Bathroom and much more

While most of her peers spend time wandering around in Hollywood and having media commitments during their leisure time, Holly takes time out to do the work in her home. And things like woodworks, painting, tiling, etc. falls under the word ‘works’.

She is known to tile the bathroom of her father, set up cabinets in the kitchens, making shelves and a whole lot of similar stuff. She could pay off someone to do all these but she does all these with her own hands.

She also enjoys sewing and once said “if anybody needs alterations on their dress, I’m gonna do it”.

#6 Boys, she is married

Holly is a charmer and it would only be natural to fall in love with it. But, boys, she is married. Holly tied the knot with Jeff Kirkpatrick back in 2012. Jeff is a graduate from the University of New Mexico and has degrees in Accounting and Finance.

He is currently the vice president at his family business, AAA Roofing Co. in Albuquerque ( the town from Breaking Bad incase you found it familiar).

Jeff has been a huge support for Holly’s career and he is a big fan of hers.

“Happy birthday to my husband. Thank you, Jeff, for supporting me in everything I do…. Ummmmmm… Except maybe shopping… Anyhow, i hope this year is full of love, health and happiness.” Holly described in one of her Instagram posts.

#5 She looked up to Ronda Rousey

While the media might build up Holly Holm as a monster that conquered another monster Ronda, in reality, Ronda was someone that Holly looked upto. According to her husband, Jeff, Holly has always looked upto Ronda for inspiration.

“All respect to Ronda. Holly has looked up to Ronda all these years and Holly has nothing bad to say about Ronda. It’s an honor for Holly to be in the cage with her so we wish her well,” he said.

Holm showed this respect for Ronda throughout the fight and still defends Ronda whenever she gets the chance to.

#4 She is all set to debut in Hollywood

Ronda Rousey is having a good stay in Hollywood with all the big projects and Holly Holm is all set to make her debut as well. Holly is currently cast in a movie titled Fight Valley which is all set to come out next year.

Holly will be playing a character called Payton Walsh and she will share some screen space with Erin Obrien.

The film will also see the likes of Cris Cyborg and Meisha Tate as it revolves around mixed marital arts. Directed by Rob Hawk, who is known for projects like Game Kill, Death before sunrise, No Collateral etc.

#3 The Rocky story of Holm

Holly wrote her own Underdog story with the win against Ronda Rousey. However, just years before, Holly was in the shoes of Ronda. During her boxing career, Holly was met with a similar fight where she was the heavy favourite to win.

But she lost the match via knockout in the seventh round and it was considered to be a big upset back then.

But this is not the best part of the story. The best part of the story is Holly coming back. She had her rematch and she won it just like Rocky defeated Clubber Lang in the third Rocky movie.

#2 The impressive resume

Pound for pound, Holly Holm was the biggest challenge that Ronda Rousey ever faced in her career. And Holly had stats to back this up. She has a professional boxing record of 33 -2 and a kickboxing record of 2-1.

She was named the Fighter of the year in New Mexico Boxing for five years in running and was chosen as the Female Fighter of the year in 2005 and 2006 by ‘The Ring’.

If this was not enough, she held Boxing championships in three different weight classes. And by winning her UFC title, Holly is now the only person, male or female, to win boxing championships and MMA Championships.

#1 Streak Lives

Ronda piled up a 12-match undefeated streak during her UFC career and was one of the biggest draws as far as UFC was concerned. This streak came to an end at the hands of Holly Holm at UFC 193 but UFC now has another streak to bank on, the streak of Holly Holm.

With the win against Ronda, Holly is currently 10-0 in her MMA career and it would be interesting to see if she adds more to that record. One of the biggest criticisms that came in the way of Ronda Rousey’s run was the lack of quality in her opponents and it could soon come in Holly’s way as well if she goes on to win a few more matches.

Can you wait for the second edition of Apollo Creed vs. Rocky... I mean Ronda Rousey vs. Holly Holm?

Edited by Staff Editor