Tag: Irene Aldana

It turns out a positive COVID-19 test was the reason why the Irene Aldana vs. Holly Holm fight was postponed.

It was reported on Wednesday that the women’s bantamweight bout set to headline the UFC’s upcoming August 1 show was postponed for undisclosed reasons. The middleweight bout between Derek Brunson and Edmen Shahbahzyan would instead headline the card.

Now we know why.

Aldana Exhibited COVID-19 Symptoms

Aldana revealed on social media she had tested positive for COVID-19 despite having a training camp in total isolation.

She is now recovering and feels much better as she looks forward to fighting Holm on a new date.

“I deeply thank the fans and all the media for their messages of support and the interest shown in the news of the postponement of my fight in 1st, August vs. Holly Holm,” Aldana wrote in a statement. “We are going through a very complicated world situation and my country is no exception: COVID-19.

“Despite the fact that we have made a camp in total isolation and with the health measures recommended by the authorities, unfortunately I had some symptoms and in the pertinent examinations it was positive. I am still recovering: the first days were complicated in terms of symptoms, but I am much better.

“… I deeply thank the UFC, its president Dana White, Mick Maynard and my opponent and her team for the understanding shown, we will be ready for the new date that the company assigns us within the next few months.”

Aldana is on a two-fight winning streak and has also won five of her last six outings. Holm, meanwhile, returned to the win column against Raquel Pennington after getting knocked out by Amanda Nunes in their title fight last summer.

What do you make of this news?

Holly Holm still plans on becoming a UFC champion again.

Holm meets Irene Aldana in a pivotal bantamweight encounter that will headline the UFC’s upcoming August 1 show. The former champion is coming off a unanimous decision win over Raquel Pennington in January as she bounced back from her first-round TKO defeat to Amanda Nunes in their bantamweight title fight.

With many seeing Aldana as next in line for a 135-pound title shot, a potential win for Holm over the Mexican could see her enter title contention yet again, especially if Nunes were to retire. It that happened, it would be her fourth title shot across two divisions since losing her title to Miesha Tate in 2016.

And although she has received plenty of criticism for her previous title shots, Holm, 38, believes there’s a simple reason why she keeps getting them.

“I’ve fallen short of getting that title back more than once, and it’s frustrating, but I know I keep fighting the very top-ranked girls, so I’m constantly right there,” Holm told MMA Junkie. “I’m still aching for it. I still want it. That’s a lot to say. Some people say, ‘Oh, I want the belt’ then they don’t really think about it. I know exactly how much work that takes to get there, and I know it took a big commitment.

“You’ve got to win fights along the way and when it comes, I can’t let the opportunity slip through my fingers again. Obviously it’s right there. I know people say, ‘Oh, she’s had plenty of title fights.’ There’s a reason: Because I keep fighting the best, and I keep staying right there. A lot of times I’m just one fight away. No matter what, I have Irene Aldana in front of me.”

Holm Prepared For Aldana

Holm won’t face an easy task either.

Aldana is a highly-skilled striker who has won five of her last six and is coming off an impressive knockout victory over the previously undefeated Ketlen Vieira. While she acknowledges the threats of Aldana, Holm plans on getting the win simply by being superior in every department.

“My goal is just to be clearer, stronger, sharper, and more well rounded,” Holm added. “I want to do all of that. I know she’s coming. She’s got a lot of movement; she’s got long punches and long arms. She’s one of the taller bantamweights.

“Every fighter brings their own strengths, and my job is just to be better at any of those things, and that’s what I’m trying to do.”

Do you think Holm will end up getting another title shot?