UFC Fight Island 4 video recap: Holm bests Aldana by decision

Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC

Holly Holm picked up a dominant win over Irene Aldana at UFC Fight Island 4.

Former women’s bantamweight champion Holly Holm earned an unanimous decision (50-44, 50-45, 50-45) win over Irene Aldana in the main event of UFC Fight Island 4.

What was the high point of the fight?

Holly Holm absolutely dominated the fight against Aldana from start to finish. For the better part of five rounds, Holm landed combination after combination, switched levels when necessary and kept Aldana from doing any significant damage. As much as she was clearly winning, the high point of the fight came towards the final seconds of the fifth round.

Holm hurt Aldana badly with a head kick as she was coming up from the mat and immediately swarmed with multiple punches. Aldana was rocked, and Holm almost picked up a late stoppage, but the Aldana survived until the final bell.

Where do they go from here?

It should come as no surprise to anyone, but Holm is without a doubt looking to get another shot at the women’s bantamweight championship and a performance like this is exactly what will get one. However, there was another woman (hi, Germaine de Randamie) on tonight’s card that also put on a show and called for her shot against current champion, Amanda Nunes. Between Holm and de Randamie, who have met each other before in a different weight class, it really is a toss-up to figure out who gets a title shot next. Either one would work, and I guess it comes down to who had the better showing tonight.

Aldana got a taste of her first top five contender and it ultimately did not go too well for her. Still, she should be taking on fellow contenders, so a fight against someone like Julianna Pena would be a good choice for her in her next appearance. Both women lost tonight and if they want to remain at the top of the division, then this would be the next best possible matchup to make.

Watch it now, later or never?

This was an excellent performance from Holm, as she looked a lot like her old self against Aldana. That being said, it is the kind of fight we have seen from her before, so it is not something you have to rush to watch right away. If you find some time in the upcoming week, then I would definitely set aside some time to watch it.