Holly Holm is among the very best for the most shocking underdog moment in UFC history when she knocked out Ronda Rousey almost a decade ago.
‘The Preacher’s Daughter’ is a combat sports legend, competing in and winning titles in both boxing and MMA. Her success in the ring earned her a spot in the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2022, and any potential future induction into the UFC Hall of Fame would make her the first fighter to earn the honor of being in both.
Holly Holm has achieved many things throughout her fighting career, but arguably none bigger than her win over Ronda Rousey at UFC 193. The world will forever remember that highlight reel head kick knockout, but most don’t know that Holm allegedly turned down a rematch with Rousey.
According to Dana White, the 43-year-old and her team are responsible for passing on an unbelievable amount of money back in Holm’s heyday.
“These are the same guys that had Holly Holm and, in my opinion, ruined her life,” White said on The Jim Rome Show.
“She had the opportunity to rematch, immediately, Ronda Rousey, and for unbelievable money. They turned it down, and they said, ‘We don’t want that fight. We’ll fight Msha Tate for the same money we have now.'”
“So, big drama goes on between us all. I said, ‘So, you want to fight the second baddest woman in the world with the same money instead of fighting [Ronda Rousey for more money]?'”
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White continued.
“I said she’s going to lose by choke. [Tate’s] gonna choke her out. And that’s exactly what happened. For the same money, instead of fighting Ronda for life-changing money that would have changed her life.”
Holly Holm would go on to lose by submission to Miesha Tate and would fail to win UFC gold again despite fighting her way back to two more title shots.
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— Jim Rome (@jimrome) September 11, 2025
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