Holly Holm (UFC) Wiki, Height, Weight, Age, Husband, Family, Biography & More

Holly Holm is an American Mixed Martial artist who has competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and held the title belt of the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion. She was formerly a boxer and a kickboxer. She was a top boxing champion as she held her titles 18 times across three weight categories, and was named the best boxer by BoxRec. She also won the “Fighter of the Year” award twice. Besides boxing, she became famous in MMA for defeating Ronda Rousey in 2015. In July 2023, she was ranked #5 in UFC’s women’s bantamweight category.

Wiki/Biography

Holly Rene Holm, simply known as Holly Holm, was born on Saturday, 17 October 1981 (age 42 years; as of 2023) in Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States. Her zodiac sign is Libra.

As a kid, Holm was active in sports like soccer, gymnastics, swimming, and diving. Her parents separated just before she finished high school, Manzano High School, in 2000. After high school, she attended the University of New Mexico for a year. She shifted from aerobics to kickboxing classes to improve her fitness. At the age of 16, her gymnastics trainer saw potential in her and helped her train for combat sports which was the starting of her journey as a fighter. During her career she fought for the teams, Jackson Wink MMA Academy (2007–present), and AKKA Karate USA (2000–2007). She has been trained by specialized trainer, Mike Winkeljohn (Boxing, Kickboxing), Greg Jackson (MMA), Israel Martinez (Wrestling), and Rafael “Barata” Freitas (BJJ). After one of her major fights, she said,

I had the best coaching – from stand up, to grappling, to wrestling,” she said after the victory at Docklands. Everything that we worked on presented itself in the fight. Every kind of grab that she tried to get … I have not spent this much time in the gym before any fight in my life … Everything we worked on happened tonight.”

Holly Holm during her teenage

Physical Appearance

Height (approx.): 5′ 8″

Weight (approx.): 61 kg

Hair Colour: Blonde

Eye Colour: Green

Figure Measurements (approx.): 32-28-34

Family

Holly belongs to an Irish-American family. ¹

Parents & Siblings

Holly’s father, Roger Holm, is a preacher at a Church. Her mother, Tammy Bredy, works as a massage therapist in Albuquerque.

She is the youngest child in her family and has 2 siblings, both are elder brothers. Her brother Weston Holm is the co-founder of Blue Clover Distillery, and Brian Holm is a barber. During a podcast, Holly said,

I was a tomboy. I’ve got two older brothers and I was always trying to keep up with them and compete with them. My brothers weren’t easy on me. They would say, ‘If you want to hang out, we’re not waiting for you. Keep up.’ So I’d keep up and keep pushing forwards. I grew up in Bosque Farms and I’d be riding bikes in the dirt every day. We were never inside. We had a very fun, outdoor childhood and were always encouraged to be involved in sports. All of us loved being active. I’m very fortunate to have been brought up the way I was.”

Holly and her brother Weston Holm

Holly’s brother, Brian

Husband & Children

Holly Holm married her college love, Jeff Kirkpatrick on 27 April 2012 in Cancun, Mexico. He is the vice president of operations for AAA Roofing Co. in Albuquerque. The couple filed for divorce on 3 January 2019 and later that year got divorced. During an interview she said,

We’d kind of put it in for it to be a sealed case, just because I’m in the public eye and my husband has a family business locally. We put in that we wanted it sealed, and they didn’t (do so), which is fine with me. I’m one of those (people) that’s always been an open book. I’m not trying to go through life acting like everything’s perfect. I’m not trying to go through my life pretending like nothing’s going on when it is.” ²

Holly Holm and Jeff Kirkpatrick

Holly has no kids.

Religion

Holly Holm follows Christianity. She is a preacher’s daughter and loves to spend her time in the Church. ³

I went to church every Sunday morning, Sunday night and Wednesday night. We grew up living in a house owned by the church. I always had to be on time for services and held out with the nursery. I couldn’t be a selfish kid. But I must prefer, if I have the time, to go to church. I feel really not focused and detached if I don’t go to church. I feel like I feel better about myself and life and my relationship with God if I go. I feel more connected. I try to go every Sunday morning. If I can’t, I get a little irritated with myself because I’m like, ‘Really Holly? God sacrifices and has you in mind all day, every day.’ How can I not want to give back one day, one hour even?”

Signature/Autograph

Career

Amateur Kickboxing Career

When she was 16, Holm started with aerobics classes which led her to boxing and kickboxing. Her instructor, Mike Winkeljohn, saw her talent and began training her. In 2001, she won the championship title in the International Kickboxing Federation in Missouri. She had two matches: one she won quickly in the first round and the other by unanimous decision. This was the end of her amateur career in kickboxing with a record of 6 wins and 2 draws.

Professional boxing career

Holm has won many welterweight boxing titles and is often seen as one of the best female welterweight fighters ever. Most of her fights have been in her hometown, Albuquerque. In 2008, she became the top welterweight champion by beating former champion Mary Jo Sanders. They had a rematch later that year in Detroit, which ended in a tie.

On 2 December 2011, Holm faced the knockout artist French boxer, Anne Sophie Mathis. They had to compete for the IBA female and WBAN welterweight titles. Holm lost the match by getting knocked out in the 7th round, and it became one of the major disappointments to fans in women’s boxing. However, in a rematch in June 2012, Holm got her revenge by winning through a unanimous decision, claiming the titles and making up for her previous loss.

Mixed Martial Arts

Early Career

Holm made her debut in mixed martial arts on 4 March 2011. She faced against Christina Domke at an event set up by her boxing promoter, Lenny Fresquez. The main event shared the spotlight with her teammate from Jackson’s Submission Fighting, Keith Jardine. Holm won her fight against Domke in the second round through TKO due to her effective leg kicks. Later, on 9 September 2011, at the Fresquez Productions: Clash in the Cage event, Holm faced and defeated Strikeforce veteran Jan Finney, getting another win by a TKO in the third round.

Bellator MMA

On 28 February 2013, Holm made her debut in Bellator MMA and faced Katie Merrill at Bellator 91 in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. She won by defeating Merrill with a TKO in the second round.

Later, Holm revealed her decision to retire from boxing after her match against Mary McGee on 11 May 2013. She wanted to focus entirely on her MMA career. This announcement came along with talks about a potential boxing title match against Norwegian Champion, Cecilia Brækhus. However, Holm ended her boxing career by fighting and defeating McGee through a unanimous decision.

Legacy Fighting Championship

On 19 July 2013, Holm fought Allanna Jones at Legacy Fighting Championship 21 and got an easy win in the second round by head-kick knockout.

She was set to face Erica Paes at Legacy Fighting Championship 24 on 11 October 2013, but due to changes, she ended up fighting against Nikki Knudsen. Holm won the match in the second round by a TKO, using a body kick and knees. Later, on 6 December 2013, she faced Angela Hayes at Fresquez Productions: Havoc and won the fight by a unanimous decision. On 4 April 2014, Holm fought against Juliana Werner for the first-ever Legacy FC Women’s Bantamweight Championship. She got the title in the 5th round by a TKO, using a  head kick and rapid punching. However, during the fight, Holm got her left arm broken.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

On 10 July 2014, it was revealed that Holm had signed a multi-fight agreement with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Her manager, Lenny Fresquez, later shared with MMA Junkie that the contract was for five fights. Holm’s UFC debut was set for UFC 181 against Raquel Pennington. However, due to an injury, Holm had to withdraw from the fight on 13 November. The two fighters eventually fought at UFC 184, where Holm won the match by a split decision victory with scores of 29–28, 28–29, and 30–27.

Holm then had a fight against Marion Reneau at UFC Fight Night 71 on 15 July 2015 and won by a unanimous decision, getting the scores of 30–27, 30–26, and 29–28.

Women’s bantamweight championship

Holm vs. Rousey

Holm was initially set to challenge Ronda Rousey for the women’s bantamweight title at UFC 195 on 2 January 2016. However, due to an injury to Robbie Lawler, the fight was moved to headline UFC 193 on 14 November 2015. Holm dominated the fight with her striking while effectively countering Rousey’s takedown attempts. In the second round, Holm delivered a high kick that knocked Rousey out and ended her undefeated record and three-year title reign. This victory also earned Holm “Fight of the Night” and “Performance of the Night” bonuses which totalled $100,000. With this win, Holm became the first athlete to claim titles in both boxing and MMA. Following her major win, UFC fighter Jon Jones labelled her the “G.O.A.T. (greatest of all time) of women’s combat sports”. In recognition of her achievements, Albuquerque, her hometown, honoured her by declaring November as “Holly Holm Month”. In an interview she said,

I had the best coaching – from stand up, to grappling, to wrestling. Everything that we worked on presented itself in the fight. Every kind of grab that she tried to get … I have not spent this much time in the gym before any fight in my life … Everything we worked on happened tonight.”

 

Holm faced Miesha Tate in her first title defence on 5 March 2016, at UFC 196. The fight was a close one, with both fighters having moments of dominance. In the second round, Tate nearly got a guillotine choke on Holm, who managed to escape just before the bell. While Holm was effective with her striking in the early rounds, she struggled with Tate’s grappling skills. In the fifth and final round, Tate took Holm down and locked in a rear-naked choke. Holm refused to tap out of the lock and was choked unconscious which resulted in a technical submission win for Tate.

 

Later that year, on 23 July 2016, Holm fought Valentina Shevchenko at UFC on Fox 20 and was defeated by a unanimous decision.

Women’s featherweight championship

On 11 February 2017, at UFC 208, Holm faced Germaine de Randamie for the first-ever UFC Women’s Featherweight Championship. Holm lost the fight by a unanimous decision. During the fight, de Randamie threw punches after the bell rang at the end of rounds two and three. These hits damaged Holm, who had stopped fighting in response to the bell. No points were deducted by the referee for these infractions. After the match, many media outlets and fans believed Holm should’ve been declared the winner. Holm herself stated she felt that de Randamie’s late strikes were deliberate. She appealed to the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) to review the official decision of the match once again. However, on 28 February 2017, the NYSAC denied her appeal by saying that no evidence was found or any rules were violated by the referee.

Post championship

After her loss in the featherweight division, Holm went back to the bantamweight class. She faced Bethe Correia in Singapore on 17 June 2017. She won the match with a knockout in the third round and earned the “Performance of the Night” award.

 

Later, she challenged Cris Cyborg for the UFC Featherweight Championship on 30 December 2017 but, lost the match by a unanimous decision. Despite the loss, she earned a “Fight of the Night” bonus. On 9 June 2018, at UFC 225, Holm defeated Megan Anderson by unanimous decision.

Holm was set to fight Aspen Ladd at UFC 235 on 2 March 2019, but the match was cancelled on 31 January 2019. Later, on 20 March 2019, Holm signed a new deal for six fights with the UFC. She then challenged Amanda Nunes for the Women’s bantamweight championship on 6 July 2019, at UFC 239, but lost the fight in the first round. Holm was then scheduled to face Raquel Pennington at UFC 243 on 6 October 2019 but had to withdraw due to a hamstring injury. However, the two finally had their match at UFC 246 on 18 January 2020. Holm won the match by unanimous decision.

Holm was set to fight Irene Aldana on 1 August 2020, but Aldana tested positive for COVID-19, which caused a rescheduling of the match to 4 October 2020. Holm won that fight by a unanimous decision.

Later on, Holm faced Julianna Peña on 8 May 2021 but she had to pull out of the fight because of hydronephrosis. Later, Holm was scheduled to fight Norma Dumont on 16 October 2021, but she was forced to quit due to a knee injury, and Aspen Ladd came in as her replacement. Holm fought Ketlen Vieira on 21 May 2022 and lost by split decision. It became controversial as most media outlets believed Holm should have won. Later in 2022, with just one fight left on her contract, Holm got a new six-fight deal with UFC. On 25 March 2023, she faced Yana Santos, at UFC on ESPN 43, and won the fight by a unanimous decision.

However, in her next fight on 15 July 2023, against Mayra Bueno Silva (who originally was to face an injured Miesha Tate on ESPN 46), Holm was defeated in the second round by a ninja choke.

Awards/Titles/Achievements

Boxing

• 16 title defences won at three different weight classes
  

  Holly Holm with her boxing titles

World Boxing Federation

• WBF Female World Light Welterweight Championship (One time)

• WBF Female World Welterweight Championship (One time)
  

  Holly’s Boxing titles

• 2012 Female Fighter of the Year

• 2012 Female Fight of the Year vs. Anne Sophie Mathis

Women Boxing Archive Network

• WBAN World Welterweight Championship (One time)

• WBAN World Junior Welterweight Championship (One time)

• WBAN World Junior Middleweight Championship (One time; First)

• 2012 Biggest Comeback of the Year

• 2011 Fight of the Year vs. Anne Sophie Mathis

• 2010 Fighter of the Year

• 2009 Most Accomplished of the Year

• 2008 Highest Achievements of the Year

• 2007 Fighter of the Year

• 2007 Most Improved Boxer of the Year

• 2006 Most Improved Boxer of the Year

• 2005 Hottest Rising Star of the Year

• 2005 Upset of the Year vs. Christy Martin

World Boxing Council

• WBC Female World Welterweight Championship (One time)

• NABF Female Light Welterweight Championship (One time)

Global Boxing Union

• Global Boxing Union (GBU) World Welterweight Championship (One time)

• Women’s International Boxing Association

• WIBA World Light Welterweight Championship (One time)

• WIBA World Welterweight Championship (One time)

International Female Boxers Association

• IFBA World Welterweight Championship (One time)

• IFBA World Light Middleweight Championship (One time)

• 2006 Fighter of the Year

World Boxing Association

• WBA Female World Welterweight Championship (One time; First)

International Boxing Association

• IBA Female World Welterweight Championship (Three times)

• IBA Female World Light Welterweight Championship (Three times; First)

BadLeftHook.com

• 2012 Female Comeback Fighter of the Year

BoxRec

• Highest ranking female boxer in overall pound-for-pound rankings during the time of her retirement from boxing. Before winning her UFC championship, she was lowered to #2 in pound-for-pound rankings but still ranked #1 in welterweight

The Ring

• 2006 Female Fighter of the Year

• 2005 Female Fighter of the Year

New Mexico Boxing

• 2013 Hall of Fame Inductee

• 2010 Fighter of the Year

• 2009 Fighter of the Year

• 2008 Fighter of the Year

• 2007 Fighter of the Year

• 2006 Fighter of the Year

• 2005 Fighter of the Year

Albuquerque Sports Hall of Fame

• 2005 Female Athlete of the Year

International Women’s Boxing Hall of Fame

• 2017 Hall of Fame inductee

New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame

• 2019 Hall of Fame inductee

International Boxing Hall of Fame

• 2022 Hall of Fame inductee

Kickboxing

International Kickboxing Federation

• IKF/Ringside 2001 USA National Amateur International Rules Welterweight Championship
  

  Holly Holm kickboxing title

• IKF/Ringside 2001 Central Mountain Regional Amateur International Rules Welterweight Tournament Winner

Mixed martial arts

Ultimate Fighting Championship

• UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship (One time; former)
  

  Holly’s UFC title belt

• Fight of the Night (Two times) vs. Ronda Rousey and Cris Cyborg

• Performance of the Night (Two times) vs. Ronda Rousey and Bethe Correia

• 2015 Upset of the Year vs. Ronda Rousey

• 2015 Knockout of the Year vs. Ronda Rousey

• 2015 Newcomer of the Year

Legacy Fighting Championships

• Legacy FC Women’s Bantamweight Championship (One time; first)

ESPN

• 2015 Knockout of the Year vs. Ronda Rousey

Sherdog

• 2015 Upset of the Year vs. Ronda Rousey

• 2015 Breakthrough Fighter of the Year

• 2015 All-Violence Third Team

MMAFighting.com

• 2015 Knockout of the Year vs. Ronda Rousey

MMAJunkie.com

• 2015 Upset of the Year vs. Ronda Rousey

• 2015 Knockout of the Year vs. Ronda Rousey

• 2015 November Knockout of the Month vs. Ronda Rousey

Bleacher Report

• 2015 Biggest Moment: Holly Holm Knocks out Ronda Rousey

• 2015 Knockout of the Year vs. Ronda Rousey

• 2013 WMMA Knockout of the Year vs. Allanna Jones

Inside MMA

• 2015 Female Fighter of the Year Bazzie Award

• 2015 Knockout of the Year Bazzie Award vs. Ronda Rousey

• 2013 Rising Star of the Year Bazzie Award

World MMA Awards

• 2015 Female Fighter of the Year

• 2015 Breakthrough Fighter of the Year

• 2015 Knockout of the Year vs. Ronda Rousey at UFC 193

• 2015 Upset of the Year vs. Ronda Rousey at UFC 193

ESPY Awards (2016)

• Upset of the Year vs. Ronda Rousey on 15 November 2015

Controversy

Sponsorship from Hi-Tech Pharma

Holly Holm has signed a two-year endorsement deal with the company Hi-Tech Pharma, which is a pharmaceutical company which makes supplements that contain an amphetamine-like stimulant called DMAA. DMAA was declared illegal by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as well as the World Anti-Doping Administration (WADA), for many years, because of its effects on cardiovascular health. The stimulant helps in weight loss, muscle growth, and overall performance improvement. Following her shocking victory over “Rowdy” in Australia, Holly Holm, an 18-time world champion boxer, found herself at the centre of a doping controversy. Reports came up, which revealed Holm’s sponsorship ties with Intel Pharma, a company known for selling products containing Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMS).  Essentially, SARMS are related to milder anabolic steroids. Intel Pharma’s connection to Holm raised questions, considering the strict anti-doping standards athletes are expected to follow. Though Holm’s association with the company was made public shortly after her famous match, Intel Pharma’s owner, Langdon Suggs, confirmed that they do not have any relations with her. In response to that, the UFC gave a statement to Holm’s sponsorship partners with the brand Hi-Tech, expressing their disapproval. This incident served as a major reminder of the strictness of rules athletes have to follow and face the consequences for their affiliations and endorsements. ⁴

Car Collection

• BMW X6
  

  Holly’s BMW

• BMW X5 M
  

  Holly’s BMW X5

• Ford 75
  

  Holly with her Ford 75

• Ford F-15- SVT Raptor
  

  Holly’s Ford Raptor

• AC Cobra
  

  Holly’s AC Cobra

Bike Collection

• She owns 2 Vespas.
  

  Holly’s Vespas

• ATV Bike
  

  Holly’s ATV bike

• Electra Townie Go 8i Ladies step thru
  

  Holly on her Electra Townie

Favourites

• Food: Cheese and Turkey Sandwich

• Drinks: Coffee and Diet Coke

Facts/Trivia

• Due to her father being a preacher, she has earned the name,” The Preachers Daughter” as a fighter.

• Holly is skilled at crafting and carpentering jobs.
  

  Holly makes a shelf

• Holly owns two dogs, including a pomeranian named River, and a Yorwich, named Aussie. She also has a white Persian cat, Buster.
  

  Holly with her dog, River

  

  Holly with her puppy

  

  Holly with her cat

• Holly occasionally spends her time swimming and trying new activities.
  

  Holly in a pool

• Holly occasionally consumes alcohol.
  

  Holly promotes her brother’s vodka brand

• Holly has been featured on the main cover of the magazine by HiTech Pharma.
  

  Holly featured in a magazine

• Holly was featured in the film, Fight Valley, released in 2016. She played the role of Payton Walsh in the film. In 2010, she was featured as herself in the Television Show, Knockout Sportsworld’s Episode: “Throwing Bombs,” archive footage.
  

  Holly Holm in Fight Valley 2016

• During her fight against Ronda, Holly got a sponsorship from the company GRRRL, which spent 95% of its budget on the fight promotion.

• Holly has her own website, hollyholm.com, where all her life details and gallery are available for fans. She also sells her merchandise including water bottles, caps, tee shirts, and hoodies on the same website.
  

  Holly Holm’s website

• Holly gives group classes to students for aerobics and cardiovascular training.
  

  Holly’s aerobics class

• Holly owns a ranch in Albuquerque and keeps horses and cows over there.
  

  Holly’s ranch and horse

• Holly consumes a non-vegetarian based diet.
  

  Holly’s diet

1. MMA Micks
2. YouTube
3. Christian Today
4. MMA Mania