Undefeated former world champion boxer Holly Holm will make her long-awaited UFC debut on Dec. 6 against Raquel Pennington, promotion officials announced late Thursday.
Holm (7-0), a 32-year-old who compiled a 33-2-3 boxing record and several world title across three different weight classes, is unbeaten since making her transition into mixed martial arts in 2011. In that time, Holm has emerged as one of the brightest prospects in the women’s 135-pound division, knocking out six of her seven opponents, often in spectacular fashion.
The Greg Jackson product capped off her run through MMA’s minor leagues in April, finishing Juliana Werner with a violent fifth-round flurry to claim Legacy FC’s inaugural women’s bantamweight title. Following lengthy and occasionally tenuous contract negotiations, Holm inked a deal to join the UFC last July.
Pennington (4-4), a former semi-finalist on The Ultimate Fighter 18, has split her two UFC appearances. The 26-year-old debuted with a decision victory over veteran Roxanne Modafferi, then dropped a split decision to Jessica Andrade in March.
UFC 181 takes place at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, NV. An updated fight card can be seen below.
- Johny Hendricks vs. Robbie Lawler
- Anthony Pettis vs. Gilbert Melendez
- Travis Browne vs. Brendan Schaub
- Holly Holm vs. Raquel Pennington
- Tony Ferguson vs. Abel Trujillo
- Todd Duffee vs. Anthony Hamilton
- Corey Anderson vs. Gian Villante
- Eddie Gordon vs. Josh Samman