H. Holm (photo) in victory for the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter @UFC_Brasil
The former bantamweight champion (up to 61,2kg.) Holly holm is close to another UFC title fight. In dispute against Amanda nunes No. UFC 239, this Saturday (6), in Las Vegas (USA), the North American stated that she is ready to shock the world again and believes in her ability to once again hold a company belt. The statement was made in a recent interview with 'ESPN'. In 2015, the athlete silenced her critics by beating the legendary Ronda Rousey and win the bantamweight title.
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“I want to shock the world for the second time. I'm going into the fight with the belief that I will defeat (Amanda) Nunes. Afterwards, I will defend the title and continue winning. I want to retire at the top, not at the bottom. I don’t want to retire thinking that I have nothing left to offer, but with the thought that I did everything I needed to do”, said the former champion.
Holly was heavily contested about the opportunity to face Amanda for the division title. The North American went through a difficult time within Ultimate when she suffered three consecutive setbacks between 2016 and 2017. The fighter was still defeated, in December 2017, by Chris Cyborg in a duel valid for the strawweight title. For some MMA enthusiasts, Holm would not be qualified to face the Brazilian this Saturday. Currently, the 'Pastor's Daughter' is in second position within the category.
“I don’t feel like I can’t compete against the other girls anymore. That's the difference. I know that I am still capable of beating any opponent in this division,” said Holly.
Since moving from boxing to MMA in 2011, the 37-year-old athlete has fought 15 times and emerged victorious on 11 occasions. Holm joined the group of UFC fighters in 2015 and, in the same year, won three consecutive victories, including one against Ronda Rousey, considered by many to be the greatest female athlete of all time. On that occasion, Holly, considered the 'underdog', achieved an impressive knockout over the legend after a kick to the head in the second round, forcing the referee to interrupt the fight.
Almost four months after defeating Ronda, Holm would make his first title defense against Miesha Tate. The North American, however, succumbed to her opponent's jiu-jitsu and was submitted in the fifth round, before being dethroned.
Coming from victory over the Australian Megan anderson, in June last year, Holly will have the chance to regain the position of best bantamweight athlete. To do this, she must beat a fighter who is, little by little, showing that she can be considered the greatest woman in the history of the sport.
The athletes face each other in a duel that represents the co-main fight of the card, which will be headlined by the meeting between Jon Jones and the Brazilian Thiago Marreta in dispute for the men's light heavyweight belt (up to 93kg).
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