Holly Holm Returns to Boxing: A New Chapter in Her Career
Former UFC bantamweight champion Holly Holm is set to return to the boxing ring after more than twelve years.
Holm joins the growing group of female boxers at Most Valuable Promotions, Jake Paul’s promoter. She will face the undefeated Yolanda Vega in a ten-round bout in the lightweight division, as part of the undercard of the June 28 event, where Paul will face Julio César Chávez Jr.
The surprise announcement was made during the Paul-Chávez event press conference in Anaheim.
I am excited to partner with Most Valuable Promotions and return to the boxing ring. This new chapter will be an exciting journey, and I look forward to the challenge.
Holly Holm
Holm, 43, originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico, began her combat sports career in boxing, accumulating a record of 33-2-3 and obtaining world titles in three weight classes. She competed in both boxing and mixed martial arts in 2011, but dedicated herself exclusively to MMA in 2013. She signed with the UFC in 2015 and achieved a historic victory by knocking out then-champion Ronda Rousey at UFC 193 on November 15, 2015, in one of the biggest upsets in MMA history.
Her MMA record was 15-7 between 2011 and 2024. After her defeat to Kayla Harrison at UFC 300 last April, Holm requested her release from the UFC to dedicate herself to other projects. With women’s boxing in a very different situation than in her time, with greater exposure and better income, Holm decided to give boxing one last chance.
Holly Holm is the most dominant two-sport athlete in history. Her achievements in both boxing and MMA are unmatched, and we are honored to welcome her to Most Valuable Promotions.
Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions
Vega (10-0, 1 KO), from Ciudad Obregón, Sonora, Mexico, began her professional boxing career in 2015, but remained relatively inactive. However, she has fought four times in the last year, with her last fight in March.
Fighting against a champion of this category on Saturday, June 28th, brings me closer to my goal of becoming a world champion. I respect and admire her work very much, but today she has become my next objective, and objectives are made to be achieved.
Yolanda Vega
Holm was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2022, but she has plans to become a champion once again before definitively retiring.
Upon returning to boxing, I’ve spent the majority of my MMA career at 135 pounds, and now I have the opportunity to make my boxing debut at that weight. With boxing titles in three weight classes above under my belt, I’m eager to pursue a fourth title in a new division.
Holly Holm
