Former UFC bantamweight champion Holly Holm returns to boxing after more than 12 years of absence.
Holm joins the growing list of female boxers at Most Valuable Promotions, Jake Paul’s promoter. She will face the undefeated Yolanda Vega in a 10-round lightweight bout, as part of the undercard of the Paul vs. Julio César Chávez Jr. fight, scheduled for June 28.
The surprise announcement was made by MVP during Paul-Chávez’s press conference on Wednesday in Anaheim.
Holm, 43, originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico, began her combat sports career in boxing, accumulating a record of 33-2-3 and winning 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 is remembered for her shocking knockout of Ronda Rousey at UFC 193 on November 15, 2015, one of the biggest upsets in MMA history.I’m excited to partner with Most Valuable Promotions and return to the boxing ring. This new chapter will be an exciting journey, and I’m looking forward to the challenge.
Holly Holm
Her MMA record was 15-7 between 2011 and 2024. After her loss to Kayla Harrison at UFC 300 last April, Holm requested her release from the UFC to explore other opportunities. With women’s boxing in a very different situation than in her time, where both exposure and earnings have improved, Holm decided to give boxing one last chance.
Holly Holm is the most dominant two-sport athlete in history, without discussion. Her achievements in both boxing and MMA are unmatched, and we are honored to welcome her to Most Valuable Promotions. I remember when Holly shocked the world by knocking out Ronda Rousey, and I have no doubt that she has the ability to surprise the world again in her quest to become a world boxing champion once more. But Yolanda is a proud Mexican fighter and has her own plans, so she has signed a multi-fight contract with MVP.
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 was relatively inactive. However, she has fought four times in the last year, with her last appearance in March.
Fighting against a champion of this caliber 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 meant 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 hanging up her gloves.
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
