Former Bantamweight Champ Holly Holm faces off against fifth-ranked, Irene Aldana in hopes of getting one step closer to another title reign to seal off her legendary career in tomorrow night’s main event.
Holly Holm
Holm entered the UFC back in 2014 after an incredibly successful boxing career ending with a 38-2-3 record. Holm blew up one year later in front of a record-setting crowd at UFC 193. Where she beat then champ Ronda Rousey via knockout. Becoming the first and only fighter to hold a world boxing title and a UFC title. Putting an end to a three-year reign with Rousey’s first loss and the beginning of the end of her UFC career.
Holm’s reign was short-lived, losing the title to Miesha Tate in her first defense in March of the following year. Tate, who specializes in wrestling, took the fight to the ground putting Holm in several submissions throughout the five-round bout. Eventually, securing a rear-naked coke rendered Holm unconscious, with the fight ending in a technical submission and her reign coming to an end.
After another loss in the Bantamweight division; Holm moved down to featherweight and faced Germaine de Randamie for another shot at a championship title at UFC 208. This bout was extremely controversial. Randamie continued to throw punches after the bell rang; signifying the end of the second and third rounds, neither of which was noted by the referee, which crucially affected the score, resulting in a loss for Holm that is still debated to this day.
Following this, she moved back and forth between the two classes making two more bids for the championship in the process. The most recent being against current Champ Amanda Nunes at UFC 239, both of which resulted in losses. Despite her failed attempts at reclaiming the title Holm has remained a force to be reckoned with. Bringing her MMA record to 13-5-0 with a win against No.5 ranked Raquel Pennington via unanimous decision this January.
Irene Aldana
As of Saturday, Aldana will be the first Mexican-born woman to headline a UFC event.
Although Aldana has never had a title shot in the UFC, she has had quite an impressive run. Aldana entered the UFC after a stint in Invicta in 2016. Winning “Fight Of The Night” in her first bout despite losing to Leslie Smith—followed by another loss a year later. However, since Aldana has had quite the win streak with a 5-1 record in the last two years. Her most recent win being a first-round knockout this past December bringing her total to 13-5-0. Interestingly, the one loss was to the same fighter who Holm beat by the unanimous decision earlier this year, Raquel Pennington. Who won by split decision in their bout last Summer.
The Bout
When it comes to who has more to prove this Saturday, it goes both ways. On the one hand, you have a former Champ nearing retirement age who is hungry for another belt. However, unlike Holms, who, even with a win, would have a while to go for another title shot, a win tomorrow night could very well mean that Aldana will be Nunes’ next opponent.
But Aldana’s potential downfall comes in her commitment to her traditional boxing style. Holm is considered to be one of the best female welterweights in the world. And although Aldana is well versed in the field; if Holm opts to stay in boxing range it simply won’t be enough. On the other hand, it may be that commitment that secures her lead if Holm takes the long-range approach we’ve seen in the past. But that is still a huge risk. If Aldana has any chance of winning this, she’ll have virtually no choice but to take the fight to the ground.
Tune in tomorrow night at 10:30 ET to see Holly Holm vs. Irene Aldana on ESPN. Follow me on Twitter @sporty_spicce, and check out Beyond Women’s Sports for more articles on amazing women and their sport.
