Holly Holm has become the new bantamweight champion of the world after a stunning knock-out victory over the reigning champion Ronda Rousey in the second round at UFC 193.
Holm looked dangerous in the first round as for the first time in a while Rousey failed to put her opponent away early and instead struggled, with a considered approach from Holm seeing her land a few blows on Rousey.
Then in the second round Holm struck with a kick to the head that left Rousey on the floor, and just like that the match was over, with Holm named the new champion.
It’ll go down as one of the biggest upsets in UFC history as the previously 12-0 Rousey was widely considered a sure thing to make her seventh title defense.
Instead she now adds her first UFC loss to her record, and cedes the UFC Bantamweight Championship to Holm.
“I don’t know … I am trying to take it in … but it’s crazy, isn’t it?” Holm said after the victory.
“How could I not do this? I had the best coaching from stand-up, to grappling, to wrestling. This team right here is priceless.”
In the other championship bout at UFC 193, Joanna Jędrzejczyk successfully defended her title against Valérie Létourneau by unanimous decision.
Mark Hunt won his re-match with Antonio ‘Bigfoot’ Silva, winning by technical knock out in the first round.
| Fight Card | ||||||
| Weight class | Method | Round | Time | |||
| Women’s Bantamweight | Holly Holm | def. | Ronda Rousey (c) | KO (head kick and punches) | 2 | 0:59 |
| Women’s Strawweight | Joanna Jędrzejczyk (c) | def. | Valérie Létourneau | Decision (unanimous) (49-46, 49-46, 50-45) | 5 | 5:00 |
| Heavyweight | Mark Hunt | def. | Antonio Silva | TKO (punches) | 1 | 1:19 |
| Middleweight | Robert Whitaker | def. | Uriah Hall | Decision (unanimous) (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Heavyweight | Jared Rosholt | def. | Stefan Struve | Decision (unanimous) (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Preiminary Card (Fox Sports 1) | ||||||
| Lightweight | Jake Matthews | def. | Akbarh Arreola | TKO (doctor stoppage) | 2 | 5:00 |
| Welterweight | Kyle Noke | def. | Peter Sobotta | TKO (front kick to the body and punches) | 1 | 2:01 |
| Light Heavyweight | Gian Villante | def. | Anthony Perosh | KO (punch) | 1 | 2:56 |
| Flyweight | Danny Martinez | def. | Richie Vaculik | Decision (unanimous) (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Preliminary Card (UFC Fight Pass) | ||||||
| Middleweight | Dan Kelly | def. | Steve Montgomery | Decision (unanimous) (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Welterweight | Richard Walsh | def. | Steve Kennedy | Decision (unanimous) (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Welterweight | James Moontasri | def. | Anton Zafir | TKO (spinning back kick, spinning back fist and punches) | 1 | 4:36 |
| Flyweight | Ben Nguyen | def. | Ryan Benoit | Submission (rear-naked choke) | 1 | 2:35 |
Peeko
Guest
Each to there own but I found it quite sickening after the kick to the head Holm gets on top and starts to pound her into oblivion only to be stopped by the ref
Bondy
Guest
Its an interesting point Chris that a lot have raised prior to the bout, how do punters get hot about an event that could potentially be over in 90 seconds . They've done well though to flog the event as a feature ... Did punters get their money's worth out of this show ? ...
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
And let's be honest, the only reason Rousey is so famous is because of the way the UFC have pushed her so hard in their marketing. She is not particularly interesting to watch - what other modern MMA fighter has ever become famous by just arm barring everyone? If she was a male fighter barely anyone would have heard of her as the UFC only pushes the guys who stop opponents with their stand up. An all-armbars-all-the-time male fighter would be looked down upon by Dana, who famously doesn't rate guys who always win on the ground.
Manic Miner
Guest
Wake me up when they introduce swords, knives, spears, basically old school Roman gladiator equipment. This will be the next generations 'combat sport'.
Nic
Guest
A poster on another forum posted a link to one of Rousey's sparring sessions where she looked like an absolute novice when dealing with a boxer/kickboxer and it was exactly the same today Holm is arguably an ATG female boxer and made Rousey look amateurish The UFC will probably be able to sell a rematch but I wouldn't bet on the outcome being any different no matter how many times they fight
Nick
Guest
Looking at the two of them, one was a powerhouse of muscle and sinew and the other was Ronda Rousey. Why is it an upset? Hasnt Holm been a world champion in two disciplines previously? She's a beast with a 9-0 record going into the fight v RR's 11-0 at the corresponding time. Just because Joe Rogan says it's an upset don't make it so
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
I had commented to a friend this morning why would a Ronda Rousey fight be a selling point as they are generally over so quickly. Having 2-3 dominant fighters who smash others but then every now and then face off in epic battles can be good, to have just one who completely dominates is boring. This is probably the best thing to happen to the womens side of the sport. They needed someone who could probably compete with RR, stop all her fights just being walkovers, and now they have that. They'll both go away and train hard and at some point in the future there will be a rematch and that will be a big fight!
BigAl
Guest
I'm confused ! On the one hand we're becoming concerned about men getting concussed inadvertently playing football and on the other we're newly salivating about women being knocked out by knees to the head ?? . . . 56k you say MF ?
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
"On another note, how shattered did Dana White look afterwards?" I wouldn't fall for that...Dana would have been delighted inside. Many people were tired of Rousey's fights, myself included, because there was no contest, they were boring. Now Dana has the Rousey Redemption story to sell, which is promotional gold.
Johnno
Guest
Holm was taller, Rousey was more aggressive and kept chashsing her and had power in her shots if she could connect, but she didn't have Holm's speed, and Holm's height advantage allowed her to pick Rousey off sometimes. It was like Mike Tyson all over again, watching Rousey struggle against a taller fighter.
SM
Guest
Holly Holm was lovely post match and later on in the press conference. It's a shame the pre-event almost entirely revolved around Rousey, and her opponent didn't receive the attention he talent surely deserved. On another note, how shattered did Dana White look afterwards? It was absolutely hilarious. Holm was meant to be another lamb to the slaughter for the 'biggest name in the UFC', but this result has changed everything.
Jack
Roar Pro
Too many people bought into the "best of all time" propaganda by paid celebrities. Not enough respect was paid to Holly Holm in the lead up to the fight. It was an impressive victory and Holm will now get the recognition she deserves.
Gavin
Guest
It'll be a good loss for rousey. She will have learned respect and to play to her strengths. She's a much better fighter than tonights display. Full credit to holm, had rousey right where she wanted her the entire fight. Rousey played right into it.
Mad Max
Guest
Awesome. RR is sooooooo overated and become a bit of a pig of a person to boot. I hope to see her fight Mayweather so he can't best her down too.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
over 56k at Docklands Holm may not have got much press coverage, but she went into the fight with some pretty good credentials
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
she should have touched Holly's gloves before the fight. what a fight that was
Johnno
Guest
The school bully Rhonda Rousey, gets here ass kicked in the school playground.
Rabbitz
Roar Guru
The media have barely mentioned Holm - Rousey was a sure thing, except no-one told Holm :)
Hamish Hutton
Roar Rookie
Incredible