Holly Holm Biography: Holm, born October 17, 1981, is an American fighter who’s done just about everything—professional boxing, MMA, you name it. She left her mark in the UFC’s women’s bantamweight division, even capturing the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship, but her boxing résumé might be even crazier: multiple world titles, 18 defenses across three weight classes, and a mix of grit, skill, and stubbornness that could make anyone’s head spin.
Holly Holm Biography
Born on October 17, 1981, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to Roger Holm and Tammy Bredy, Holly Holm was always a bit of a rule-bender with a stubborn streak. In high school at Manzano, she wanted to wrestle—but with no girls’ team and her parents raising eyebrows, she pivoted to kickboxing instead. She started sparring at 17, figuring out quickly that bruises and early mornings were part of the deal, and had her first real fight at 18, stepping into a world that would eventually cement her as one of the greatest female boxers in history.
Holly’s path to a boxing career began with aerobics. Her aerobics instructor was Mike Winkeljohn, who also taught kickboxing. Winklejohn soon saw Holm’s potential.
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| Born | Holly Rene Holm October 17, 1981 Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Other names | The Preacher’s Daughter |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) |
| Weight | 135 lb (61 kg; 9 st 9 lb) |
| Division | Bantamweight (MMA) Featherweight (MMA) Light Welterweight (Boxing) Welterweight (Boxing and Kickboxing) Light Middleweight (Boxing) |
| Reach | 70 in (178 cm) |
| Style | Boxing |
| Fighting out of | Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S. |
| Team | Jackson Wink MMA Academy (2007–present) AKKA Karate USA (2000–2007) |
| Trainer | Mike Winkeljohn (Boxing, Kickboxing) Greg Jackson (MMA) Israel Martinez (Wrestling) Rafael “Barata” Freitas (BJJ) |
| Rank | Blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Roberto “Tussa” Alencar |
| Years active | 2011–present (MMA) 2002–2013 (Boxing) 2001–2003 (Kickboxing) |
| Category | WWE News |
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Holly Holm Personal Life
Holm’s coach, Mike Winkeljohn, spotted her talent right away, and it didn’t take long for her to prove it. She stepped into the boxing ring for the first time in January 2002 and didn’t wait long to make her professional kickboxing debut that June, diving headfirst into the next chapter of a career that seemed destined for the spotlight.
Holly Holm Achievements
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 has held several welterweight titles and was regarded by some as one of the best female welterweight in the world and among 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. She is a big draw in her home town of Albuquerque, having all but 3 of her fights there and just one of her fights outside of 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
Holly Holm Wiki
- Born: 17 October 1981 (age 43 years), Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
- Spouse: Jeff Kirkpatrick (m. 2012–2019)
- Martial arts: Boxing, Mixed martial arts, Kickboxing, Brazilian jiu-jitsu
- Parents: Tammy Bredy, Roger Holm
- Division: Welterweight, Light middleweight, Light welterweight
- Weight: 61 kg
- Siblings: Weston Holm, Brian Holm
Holly Holm Family
Her father, in particular, was known for being present at nearly all her competitions, offering unwavering support throughout her career. She has held several welterweight titles and was regarded by some as one of the best female welterweight in the world and among 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. She is a big draw in her home town of Albuquerque, having all but 3 of her fights there and just one of her fights outside of her home state of New Mexico.
Career Beginnings and Milestones
Holly Holm didn’t just stumble into combat sports—she threw herself into kickboxing at 16 and quickly made it clear she wasn’t there to play around, finishing her amateur run undefeated with six wins, two draws, and zero losses. By 2001, she was already hoisting her first title at the International Kickboxing Federation’s USA National Amateur Championship, a sign that this wasn’t luck, it was talent grinding with stubborn persistence. When she switched to professional boxing in 2002, the dominance didn’t stop; over the next decade, she racked up 33 wins, only two losses, three draws, and nine knockouts, carving out a career that looked effortless on paper but must have been a brutal mix of sweat, late nights, and countless bruised knuckles in reality. Watching her journey.
Professional boxing career
Holm has held several welterweight boxing titles, been highly regarded as one of the best female welterweights in the world, and is considered among the best of all time, by some. She was a big draw in her hometown of Albuquerque, having all but three of her fights there and just one of her fights outside of her home state of New Mexico. After three title defense victories in the IBA Female Light Welterweight division she moved up weight. 2006 June 10th won the inaugural WBA Female Welterweight title over Angelica Martinez in a in a 10-round unanimous decision over Terri Blair at Isleta Casino & Resort in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Holm was badly beaten by the stronger Mathis without the referee interfering, even going into the canvas without a count. She finally lost by knockout in the 7th round, which would be dubbed the upset of the year in women’s boxing. 2012 June 15th The two fought again on for Mathis’s WBF female, IBA female, and WBAN welterweight titles. Holm took a unanimous decision win over Mathis, becoming the new champion and avenging her earlier KO loss.
Women’s featherweight championship
Fourteen of 23 media outlets and a majority of MMA fans still scored the fight in favor of Holm. Holm said post-fight she believed both instances to be intentional. She appealed to the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) to review the referee’s decisions and determine an “appropriate result.” On February 28, the NYSAC denied the appeal, finding “no clear error or violation of statute or rule.”
Signature Moments and Achievements
Holly Holm’s head-kick knockout of Ronda Rousey at UFC 193 in 2015 still hits like a shockwave—one of those moments where you blink, rub your eyes, and think, “Wait… that actually just happened?” Nobody saw it coming, and yet there it was: a perfectly timed, devastating strike that didn’t just snatch the UFC Women’s Bantamweight belt, it turned her world upside down overnight in the most electrifying way.
Watching a boxer step into the octagon and dominate someone as dominant as Rousey was thrilling, almost surreal, and it made fans of combat sports everywhere nerd out a little. Over the years, Holm has quietly collected accolades, including a well-deserved induction into the Boxing International Hall of Fame in 2022, proving she’s not a one-trick pony but a rare athlete who’s genuinely elite in both boxing and MMA.
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Future Plans and Cultural Impact
Looking ahead, Holm has expressed interest in continuing her involvement in combat sports, whether through select return matches or by mentoring the next generation of fighters. She’s also expanding her footprint in the wellness and fitness industries, exploring new opportunities to grow her personal brand. Holm’s influence extends well beyond the octagon or boxing ring. She has become a cultural icon in women’s sports, symbolizing strength, perseverance, and trailblazing spirit.
Holly Holm Net Worth 2026
Holly Holm’s life is kind of wild when you step back and look at it—$4 million in 2026, earned mostly by stepping into cages and rings and taking punches for a living, which somehow feels both insane and hilarious. Her income flows from MMA, boxing, and kickboxing fights, UFC paychecks, and sponsorships that turned her into more than just a fighter—a walking brand with campaigns for fitness gear and health products. She’s treated herself with sleek cars and a spacious Albuquerque home that’s a quiet bubble compared to the nonstop chaos of traveling and performing in front of millions.
FAQs
What is Holly Holm’s net worth?
Holm’s estimated net worth is more than $4 million, which has been mostly earned through her salary in the UFC. She has an average payout of $250,000 per fight, which includes her base pay, performance bonus, and pay-per-view points.
Is Holly Holm a good fighter?
Holm has held several welterweight boxing titles, been highly regarded as one of the best female welterweights in the world, and is considered among the best of all time, by some.
