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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The world's former No. 1-rated female boxer has signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship, setting up a possible bout between two of the top global women athletes.
UFC President Dana White tweeted last week that Albuquerque fighter Holly Holm has agreed to terms with the world's largest mixed martial arts promotion. Holm also posted on her website that she signed with the UFC.
Talks between the 32-year-old boxer turned mixed martial arts fighter and the UFC had stalled for months with both sides exchanging public criticism. Terms were not disclosed.
Last year, Holm announced her retirement from boxing to focus on an MMA career. She has a 33-2-3 record as a boxer and is 7-0 as an MMA fighter.
Fans hope Holm's signing means an eventual fight with UFC women's bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey.
Holm told UFC.com that although she wants to fight Rousey, she knows she has more MMA training to do.
"There's a lot to work on in MMA, and obviously I want to work on armbar defense, not just for Ronda, but for all the girls," said Holm. "(Rousey) is not the only one that has more of a ground game than me. A lot of people do, but obviously she's the best at it right now. But that doesn't mean the others aren't a threat as well."
It was still unclear when Holm will make her UFC debut. She is recovering from a broken left arm.
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