Playboy Playmate Holly Madison becomes a UFC octagon girl
In the high-stakes world of mixed martial arts, where bone-crunching takedowns and razor-sharp submissions dominate the spotlight, there’s a subtle yet iconic tradition that adds a touch of glamour to the chaos: the Octagon Girls. These poised ambassadors hold up round cards between bouts, their presence a brief respite amid the intensity.
For one unforgettable night in 2009, the role went to a celebrity who needed no introduction—Holly Madison, the blond bombshell from the Playboy Mansion, stepped into the UFC’s eight-sided cage as a guest Octagon Girl. It was a crossover moment that blended reality TV allure with MMA grit, and it remains one of the most talked-about guest appearances in UFC history.
The Build-Up: A Dream Fulfilled for a UFC Fan in Holly Madison
Holly Madison, born Holly Sue Cullen in Astoria, Oregon, had already carved out a larger-than-life persona by the late 2000s. Rising to fame as Hugh Hefner’s “Number One Girlfriend” on E!’s The Girls Next Door, she embodied the glamorous, behind-the-scenes life at the Playboy Mansion. But Madison was more than just a tabloid fixture; she was a multifaceted entertainer with a budding career in burlesque and television. In 2009, she starred in the Las Vegas production Peepshow at Planet Hollywood, a role that kept her firmly planted in Sin City.
Madison’s love for the UFC wasn’t a publicity stunt—it was genuine. A self-proclaimed fan, she had attended UFC 98 in May 2009, where she caught the eye of UFC President Dana White. During a video blog, she expressed her dream of joining the Octagon Girls lineup. “It’s been a dream of mine since becoming a fan of the UFC and watching the incredible athleticism of the fighters, to do the honors of being an Octagon Girl for a night,” Madison later said in a UFC press release.
White, never one to shy away from star power, saw the perfect opportunity. UFC 100, set for July 11, 2009, at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, was poised to be the promotion’s biggest event ever. With over 1.6 million pay-per-view buys, it featured a heavyweight title unification bout between Brock Lesnar and Frank Mir, alongside Georges St-Pierre defending his welterweight crown against Thiago Alves. To amp up the hype, White announced Madison as the “Ultimate Octagon Girl.” “Not only is Holly one of the world’s most beautiful women, but she is a huge fan and supporter of the UFC, and we’re looking forward to having her with us on July 11th,” he declared.
The announcement came just days before the event, complete with Madison’s fitting for the signature outfit: red shorts, a white belt, and a form-fitting red V-top. Fans buzzed online, with MMA forums and Twitter (now X) lighting up over the Playboy crossover. It was a savvy marketing move, bridging the worlds of entertainment and combat sports at a time when the UFC was exploding into mainstream culture.
#TBT to #UFC100 when @HollyMadison was our celebrity @UFCOctagonGirls for the night!Via @UFCOctagonGirls pic.twitter.com/5XvNGPyjvl
— UFC (@ufc) May 1, 2014
The Night of UFC 100: Lights, Camera, Octagon Action
July 11, 2009, dawned electric in Las Vegas. The UFC Fan Expo buzzed with Hall of Fame inductions and a Maxim-sponsored Octagon Girl search, but all eyes turned to the main card as Madison arrived at Mandalay Bay. True to her word, she was a die-hard fan, predicting a Lesnar victory in the main event (he would win by TKO in the second round). But her real moment came between rounds in an earlier fight, where she made her debut lap around the Octagon.
Flanked by the regular Octagon Girls—Arianny Celeste, Edith Labelle, and Logan Stanton—Madison held up a round card with effortless poise. The crowd erupted; cameras flashed; and for a split second, the ferocity of the fights paused for pure spectacle. “UFC 100 marks the biggest event in the history of our company, so it’s the perfect time to bring in the Ultimate Octagon Girl, Holly Madison,” White quipped in the presser.
Logistically, it was a tight squeeze. Madison’s Octagon duties kicked off at 7 p.m., leaving her just 60 minutes to dash across the Strip to Planet Hollywood for Peepshow’s 8 p.m. curtain. Yet, she pulled it off flawlessly, embodying the multitasking spirit of Vegas entertainment. Photos from the night capture her radiant smile amid the cage-side chaos, a stark contrast to the bloodied fighters just feet away. It was her one-and-only full appearance as an Octagon Girl, but it cemented her as the most famous to ever hold a round card.
Beyond UFC 100: A Lasting Invitation and a Return Glimpse
Madison’s stint wasn’t a one-off whim; it sparked a lasting connection with the UFC. White extended an open invitation for her to return anytime, a rare honor for a non-regular. She dipped back in briefly for UFC 125 on January 1, 2011, at the same Mandalay Bay arena, joining Celeste, Chandella Powell, and newcomer Brittney Palmer for ring-girl duties during the featherweight title fight between Jose Aldo and Chad Mendes. Though shorter than her UFC 100 spotlight, it reaffirmed her fandom amid her rising career, including her E! spin-off Holly’s World.
In the years since, Holly Madison has evolved far beyond the Octagon. She’s authored memoirs like Down the Rabbit Hole (2015), hosted travel shows and become an advocate for body positivity and mental health. Today, at 45, she’s a mother of two, living in Las Vegas and occasionally reflecting on her wild past with humor and candor. Her UFC chapter, though brief, highlights her versatility—from mansion resident to stage star to cage-side icon.
Legacy of a Guest Star: Why It Still Matters
Holly Madison’s time as a UFC Octagon Girl wasn’t about revolutionizing the role; it was a joyful fusion of passions. In an era when MMA was shedding its underground image, her appearance humanized the sport, drawing in casual fans while delighting hardcore ones. As one MMA outlet later noted, she became “the most famous octagon girl to date.”
Fifteen years on, UFC 100 stands as a milestone, and Madison’s lap around the cage is a nostalgic gem in its highlight reel. It reminds us that even in the world’s toughest sport, a little glamour can pack a punch. Who knows— with her standing invite from White, we might see the Ultimate Octagon Girl make a comeback yet. Until then, her 2009 debut remains a knockout memory.
