She has been a multiple-time world champion, defending her titles 18 times in three weight classes, and a two-time Ring magazine fighter of the year (2005, 2006).
[6] Holm's most notable win in mixed martial arts (MMA) occurred at UFC 193 on November 15, 2015, in Melbourne, when she captured the bantamweight title and gave Ronda Rousey her first loss in the sport.
Her father, Roger, is a Church of Christ preacher—as a fighter, Holly would later be nicknamed "The Preacher's Daughter"—and her mother, Tammy, is a massage therapist.
Her cardio-kickboxing instructor, Mike Winkeljohn, recognized Holm's potential as a fighter and began training her.
In September 2001, Holm won the championship title in the International Rules Adult Women's Welterweight Division at the International Kickboxing Federation (IKF) USA National Amateur Championship Tournament, held in Kansas City, Missouri.
In June 2008 she became the undisputed welterweight champion and holder of belts from 140 to 154 by defeating former champ Mary Jo Sanders by decision.
[20] On December 2, 2011, Holm took on knockout artist Anne Sophie Mathis of France for the vacant IBA female and WBAN welterweight titles.
Holm took a unanimous decision to win over Mathis, becoming the new champion and avenging her earlier KO loss.
[22] Holm made her mixed martial arts debut on March 4, 2011, against Christina Domke at an event organized by her boxing promoter, Lenny Fresquez.
[24] Holm returned to MMA on September 9, 2011, at Fresquez Productions: Clash in the Cage against Strikeforce veteran Jan Finney.
[31] The message came as a punctuation in the negotiations to arrange a title-battle between Holm and the Norwegian champion Cecilia Brækhus.
[38] On April 4, 2014, Holm faced Juliana Werner for the inaugural Legacy FC Women's Bantamweight Championship.
[41] On July 10, 2014, the media announced that Holm had signed a multi-fight deal with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
[49] In her highest-profile MMA fight to date, Holm was initially scheduled to face defending women's bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey at UFC 195 on January 2, 2016.
[50] However, following a bout shuffle due to Robbie Lawler's injury, they faced before a record-setting crowd in the main event of UFC 193 on November 14, 2015.
[51] Despite being a massive betting underdog, Holm controlled a majority of the bout with her striking and defended all of Rousey's takedowns.
[52] The second fighter to take Rousey past the first round (after Miesha Tate), she won the fight via knockout in the second with a high kick, ending Rousey's undefeated streak and three-year reign as champion, causing her to spend the night in the hospital.
At the end of the second and third rounds, de Randamie continued to throw punches after the horn had sounded and the referee stepped in, the first of which was a right hand that visibly wobbled Holm, who had already stopped fighting.
[68] She appealed to the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) to review the referee's decisions and determine an "appropriate result".
[69] On February 28, the NYSAC denied the appeal, finding "no clear error or violation of statute or rule.
[82] She lost the fight via technical knockout in round one after being dropped by a head kick and finished with follow-up punches by Nunes.
[94] Holm was scheduled to face Norma Dumont in a featherweight bout on October 16, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 195.
[103] In mid-October 2023, the bout was overturned to a No Contest after Bueno Silva was suspended by the Nevada State Athletic Commission for a positive pre-fight test.
[107][108] Holm employs frequent lateral movement while working stiff jabs to an opponent's head.
[111] Decorated boxer and ONE Championship fighter Ana Julaton has described Holm as a "natural mover", noting her footwork as an asset in setting up strikes.
[115] She appeared in the 2016 feature film Fight Valley alongside Miesha Tate and Cris Cyborg.
[14] The couple separated in July 2019; Holm filed for a divorce and sought to get her maiden name back.