The much-anticipated UFC debut of accomplished women’s boxer-turned-mixed martial artist Holly Holm could happen at UFC 181.
UFC Tonight reported that the 32-year-old Holm is in talks to compete on the Dec. 6 card in Las Vegas, likely as part of the Fox Sports 1 prelims. According to sources with knowledge of her situation, Holm has zeroed in on the date, and the UFC is looking to pit her against Russian fighter Milana Dudieva, who made her own UFC debut at UFC Fight Night 48 in Macau against Elizabeth Phillips. Phillips (11-3) won that fight via split decision.
Though the fight is being considered, nothing is official yet. Raquel Pennington has also been discussed as a possible opponent, according to the report.
Holm has been a rising name in MMA after segueing from boxing, where she won the WBF female, IBF female, and WBAN welterweight titles. Since she began competing professionally in MMA, she has gone 7-0, her latest victory coming at Legacy 30 against Juliana Werner (fifth-round TKO).
Holm trains at Jackson-Winkeljohn’s in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and is currently ranked No. 15 on the media-driven UFC rankings.