With Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) women’s bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes booked to fight reigning 145-pound titleholder Cris Cyborg at UFC 232 in December, there was no really reason for Holly Holm to hang around.
That’s why “The Preacher’s Daughter” opted for knee surgery to repair a wonky meniscus, according to a report from ESPN, which also indicates Holm will set her sights on “Lioness” when she returns in early 2019.
After shocking the world with her UFC 193 knockout win over Ronda Rousey, which won her the 135-pound strap, Holm (12-4) struggled to stay consistent. The former pugilist is just 2-4 over her last six, split between the bantamweight and featherweight divisions.
While her UFC 225 win over Megan Anderson was probably not enough to get her yet another title shot, the women’s 135-pound weight class is starved for contenders, which is why Holm remains ranked No. 1 in the division.
See you in 2019.