Holly Holm Loses Again, Drops Match Against Shevchenko
Holly Holm Loses Again, Drops Match Against Shevchenko
What a year it's been for Holly Holm. After defeating Ronda Rousey at UFC 193 in Melbourne, Australia, no one would have predicted her fall from grace would
What a year it's been for Holly Holm.
After defeating Ronda Rousey at UFC 193 in Melbourne, Australia, no one would have predicted her fall from grace would've been quite so dramatic. She lost her title to Miesha Tate in March at UFC 196 and lost again to Valentina Shevchenko last night. For the first time in her professional combat sports career, she has suffered back-to-back defeats, and has seemingly few answers as to why.
After five minutes of the main event last evening, all seemed to be going to plan for the former UFC women's bantamweight titleholder. After dropping her opponent with a beautiful right hand, most expected the writing was on the wall and Holm would cruise to victory against the much less experienced Shevchenko.
From the second round on though, Holm was outclassed in every aspect of the fight. The former champion failed to adapt to Shevchenko's counter-striking masterclass, and she paid time and time again for her own strikes that rarely found a home.
Speaking in the aftermath to Joe Rogan, Holm seemed to have few answers for her performance.
"We train for everything; I was taught all the right things," Holm said. "I have no excuses for my performance tonight."
At the post-fight press conference, Holm added some further thoughts on how the last few months had panned out for her.
"I never felt like I was at the top because I know there's always someone coming next," Holm said. "There's always people that are hungry. I believe in myself, but I think I need to believe in what I've learned--even the recent stuff--and not just hesitate and wait.
"Coming off two losses, I've never even been in this position before. I don't think I'm in a place to choose what's next."
After defeating Ronda Rousey at UFC 193 in Melbourne, Australia, no one would have predicted her fall from grace would've been quite so dramatic. She lost her title to Miesha Tate in March at UFC 196 and lost again to Valentina Shevchenko last night. For the first time in her professional combat sports career, she has suffered back-to-back defeats, and has seemingly few answers as to why.
After five minutes of the main event last evening, all seemed to be going to plan for the former UFC women's bantamweight titleholder. After dropping her opponent with a beautiful right hand, most expected the writing was on the wall and Holm would cruise to victory against the much less experienced Shevchenko.
From the second round on though, Holm was outclassed in every aspect of the fight. The former champion failed to adapt to Shevchenko's counter-striking masterclass, and she paid time and time again for her own strikes that rarely found a home.
Speaking in the aftermath to Joe Rogan, Holm seemed to have few answers for her performance.
"We train for everything; I was taught all the right things," Holm said. "I have no excuses for my performance tonight."
At the post-fight press conference, Holm added some further thoughts on how the last few months had panned out for her.
"I never felt like I was at the top because I know there's always someone coming next," Holm said. "There's always people that are hungry. I believe in myself, but I think I need to believe in what I've learned--even the recent stuff--and not just hesitate and wait.
"Coming off two losses, I've never even been in this position before. I don't think I'm in a place to choose what's next."