Ariel Helwani confirms shock ex-champion has left the UFC despite having two more fights on contract
Ariel Helwani has confirmed an ex-UFC champion has left the promotion despite having two fights left on their contract.
A former UFC champion is now a combat sports free agent, according to Helwani, who took to social media to confirm the shock departure.
Holly Holm has parted ways with the UFC and is now a free agent.
That's despite her having two fights left on her deal. However, she asked to explore other opportunities, and the UFC obliged.
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Holm, 43, plans on continuing to fight and is open to both MMA and boxing.
Holm made her UFC debut back in February 2015, signing with the promotion as an unbeaten MMA fighter.
She won her first two fights to set up a huge showdown against then-UFC women's bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey.
'The Preacher's Daughter' stunned the MMA world when she knocked out Rousey with a devastating head-kick.
But she surrendered the title in her first defence, losing to Miesha Tate.
Holm has enjoyed a legendary MMA career, facing the likes of Valentina Shevchenko, Cris Cyborg and Amanda Nunes.
Who could Holly Holm fight next?
Now Holm is a free agent, she could return to the world of boxing, having previously been mentioned as an opponent for Katie Taylor.
Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn talked up Holm, as well as Cyborg, as potential foes for Taylor.
In an interview back in 2022, he revealed: "Some of Katie's management have talked to Holly Holm.
"Holly Holm can box. There's no one really in boxing - you've got Chantelle Williams - she's going to be undisputed at some point. She's good but we've to get her profile to the same level."
Holm enjoyed a stellar boxing career before transitioning to MMA.
She boasts 38 professional boxing bouts, registering a record of 33-2-3.
She has been a multiple-time boxing world champion, defending her titles 18 times in three weight classes.
Topics: Ariel Helwani, UFC
Nasir Jabbar