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Holly Holm is a skilled boxer and mixed martial artist whose only career loss came as the result of a cut in a boxing match in 2004.

A 5'8" fighter who relies more on skill and quickness than knockout power, she has defeated all top opponents in the welterweight division, and has gained recognition for taking on any and all fighters who dare step into the ring with her.

As a youngster, she played soccer and tried gymnastics, swimming and diving before getting into boxing and kickboxing. Holly's path to a boxing career began with aerobics. "I started aerobics to keep in shape, saw the (kickboxing) class, thought it looked pretty cool, so I thought I'd try it for one fight and see what it was like," says Holm.

Kickboxing
Holly competed in the International Kickboxing Federation and Ringside's annual amateur kickboxing USA national championship tournament. Holly defeated Chrisanne Roseleip by unanimous decision in the final round of the tournament, winning the national title in the international rules adult women's welterweight division, which would mark her last kickboxing appearance before her pro debut. Her overall amateur kickboxing record stood at 6-0-2.

She made her professional kickboxing debut on June 1, 2002 in an IKKC five-rounder against Valerie Anthonson of Grand Junction, Colorado at Santa Ana Star Casino in Bernalillo, north of Albuquerque. 

Professional Boxing Career
Debuting in 2002, Holly has held several welterweight titles and is widely regarded as the best female welterweight in the world and one of the best of all time. She also has been named Ring Magazine female Fighter of the Year, twice in consecutive years in 2005 and 2006.

Holm is a big draw in her home town of Albuquerque having all but three of her fights there and one of her fights outside her home state of New Mexico.

In June 2008 she became the undisputed welterweight champion and holder of belts from 140 to 154 by defeating former champ Mary Jo Sanders by decision. They fought a rematch on October 17, 2008, at the Palace of Auburn Hills in suburban Detroit, which ended in a draw.

Her next boxing match is Decemeber 2, 2011 against Anne Sophie Mathis (24-1, 21 KOs).

MMA
Holm made her mixed martial arts debut in March against Christina Domke in an event promoted by her boxing promoter Lenny Fresquez. She co-headlined the card with Jackson's Submission Fighting teammate Keith Jardine. Holm won the fight via TKO in the second round after her opponent was unable to continue due to leg kicks inflicted by Holm.