Holly Holm returns to the UFC’s Octagon this Wednesday for a scrap with Marion Reneau. The top-15-ranked bantamweights are seeking a signature win to move into contention.
Holm, ranked No. 10, made her organizational debut at UFC 184 in February. She entered with much hype due to her striking acumen. Her professional record was a clean 7-0 when she was pitted against Raquel Pennington. Holm did not have the stellar debut many were expecting.
Pennington is a tough out but for a potential elite fighter in the division, it was expected for Holm to dominate. She didn’t. It was a split-decision win to keep her record perfect, but it also brought the expectations for Holm‘s UFC career crashing down.
What can we expect from her second UFC fight?
The first thing we need to look at to answer this question is her opponent. Reneau is ranked just behind Holm at No. 11 in the division and has a 6-1 record. She has big power and a quality ground game. It is an intriguing matchup.
Stylistically, this could play into Holm‘s favor. Reneau loves to strike, and Holm is a more technical striker. More importantly, Reneau is not a great wrestler. If Reneau does want to take this fight to the canvas, it will be much easier for Holm to stuff the takedown attempts. I do not expect Holm to be on the offensive when it comes to grappling.
Being the co-main event in your UFC debut is a tall order for anyone, and that likely played a role in Holm‘s performance at UFC 184. There was more media to handle and higher expectations, all on top of trying to impress in a debut. A mid-week Fight Night card is a step down that takes away all the pressure.
That will allow Holm to be very loose in this fight.
Holm trains at Jackson’s MMA with the best of the best. In a recent interview with Damon Martin of Fox Sports, Holm said that Jones was a big factor in this particular training camp. She is still evolving as a fighter, and training alongside the greatest light heavyweight of all time will benefit her greatly.
She will bring more weapons into this fight than her previous one. Reneau has looked great, but she hasn’t fought someone with the credentials of Holm.
All of these factors will come together to give us the Holly Holm we expected to see back at UFC 184. Holm will be able to keep this fight at a distance, and at a distance she will light Reneau up. Holm will still have to be mindful of Reneau‘s power but as long as she avoids getting clipped, she should run away with this fight.
UFC debuts are always difficult to judge a fighter from. This is where the real Holm starts to show herself. And it will be spectacular. Holm has gotten to focus solely on this fight without much, if any, hoopla surrounding it. It has been overshadowed by International Fight Week, UFC 189, The Ultimate Fighter Finale and a heavyweight main event.
UFC Fight Night 71 plays host to this important bantamweight tilt. Look for Holm to start to show why many see her as a title contender.
Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com