Holly Holm Jabs Back at Criticism She’s Received Too Many Title Shots

If you’re one of the people who’s opined that Holly Holm has been given too many title shots in recent years, well, the future UFC Hall of Famer believes you’re wrong.

Holm defends title shots

Holm moved to the UFC in 2015, and lived up to the hype that accompanied her arrival, big time, when she KO’d Ronda Rousey in November of that year.

The decorated fighter, however, was choked out by Miesha Tate in her first title defense as bantamweight champ. Since then, Holm has fought for the featherweight title twice, and she came up short in bouts with Germaine de Randamie and Cris “Cyborg”.

Last July, Holm fought Amanda Nunes for the bantamweight crown, and was stopped by the champ-champ.

But, despite these setbacks, and although Holm is now 38, she’s made it clear she still intends to win another title. Those plans haven’t sat well with some critics, who argue Holm’s been given too many shots at the title already.

Well, recently Holm spoke with MMA Junkie, ahead of an August 1st bout with rising contender, Irene Aldana. While talking about setbacks in title fights, and the fact she’s been tapped for several, Holm said this.

“I’ve fallen short of getting that title back more than once, and it’s frustrating, but I know I keep fighting the very top-ranked girls, so I’m constantly right there,” Holm said.

“I’m still aching for it. I still want it. That’s a lot to say. Some people say, ‘Oh, I want the belt’ then they don’t really think about it.

I know exactly how much work that takes to get there, and I know it took a big commitment.

“You’ve got to win fights along the way and when it comes, I can’t let the opportunity slip through my fingers again. Obviously it’s right there.

I know people say, ‘Oh, she’s had plenty of title fights.’ There’s a reason: Because I keep fighting the best, and I keep staying right there. A lot of times I’m just one fight away.

No matter what, I have Irene Aldana in front of me.”

Is Holm right?

While Holm’s comments may not silence all of her critics, she does make a good point. Her losses have come against the best of the best. It’s also worth noting that her loss to de Randamie was a controversial one, due to late punches de Randamie landed in two different rounds.

Holm has also repeatedly scored pivotal wins in recent years. In 2018, she scored an impressive win over Megan Anderson. This past January, Holm returned to the win column again by defeating Raquel Pennington.

So, if she can get by Aldana, Holm could be one step away from another title shot.