UFC Fight Island 4 results & video: Holly Holm dominates Irene Aldana

Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC

See what happened in the main event of UFC FIGHT ISLAND 4: ‘HOLM VS. ALDANA’.

In the main event of UFC Fight Island 4 Holly Holm put in one of the most complete performances of her career to totally dominate Irene Aldana for a unanimous decision victory. The Preacher’s Daughter won every round on every scorecard and showcased incredible striking and takedowns (!) to demonstrate she still has plenty of gas in the tank and should still be taken seriously in the bantamweight division.

The win took the 38-year-old’s record to 14-5 and gave her back-to-back wins since losing to UFC champ-champ Amanda Nunes last July. for Irene Aldana, the loss drops her record to 12-6 and snaps her two fight winning streak.

Holly Holm def. Irene Aldana by unanimous decision (50-44, 50-45, 50-45)

The first round was cautious for both fighters, with much of the time spent trying to figure out range and timing. Holm did come forwards of a few occasions, throwing combos of punches, but Aldana saw them well and covered up. Aldana’s offense consisted mostly of single shots, with a few kicks landing nicely to the lower body. Surprisingly, Holm detoured from the success she was having on the feet and went for a takedown. Aldana was able to block the attempt at first, but after some clinch work Holm managed to power her opponent to the ground just as the buzzer sounded.

In the second Holm started off aggressively, again looking to land combos. In the first exchange, though, Aldana showed she was capable of countering, albeit with just a single shot. With every punch landed Holm looked to grow in confidence and gain even more pep in her step. Soon she was darting in and out of range, touching Aldana with two or three punches before the Mexican could respond. Again, after success on the feet, Holm looked for a takedown and this time she got it quickly in the centre of the cage. On the ground Holm went for some strikes, but Aldana defended well and was eventually able to get back on her feet.

In the third Aldana knew she had to chase Holm and try and change the story of the fight. But Holm was able to stay out of Aldana’s range, land when she wanted, and she got a takedown early on with plenty of time to work. On the ground Holm got side control and, for a moment, looked to isolate an arm. holm then switched to full mount, where she rained down punches on Aldana. Aldana was eventually able to push Holm away long enough to get up.

In the fourth round Aldana continued to chase Holm, but Holm continued to evade her and land strikes almost at will. Among her arsenal were side and front kicks to the body; Holm landed some hard ones in the fourth, keeping Aldana off balance and at range. Midway through the round Holm again got a takedown. She didn’t do much on the ground, but when the action was back on the feet she continued beating Aldana to the punch and avoiding any trouble her opponent could possibly pose.

Everyone in the arena knew Holm had won all of the previous rounds, so the pressure was Aldana in the fifth. She keeped trying to hunt Holm down, but The Preacher’s Daughter was able to catch her with a crisp counter early on. A few moments later Aldana was able to sneak a punch in on Holm that seemed to sting. But it was too little too late. Holm looked as fresh as she did in the first round and that was more than enough to avoid Aldana and land punches in bunches. In the final minute Holm poured it on hunting for the finish, punishing Aldana with head kicks and combos.

Total domination for the former champ in one of her best performances to date.