UFC Fight Night: Holly Holm hopes victory in Abu Dhabi will propel her towards another championship shot

American aims to impress against Irene Aldana at Flash Forum

Ronda Rousey and Holly Holm in their bantamweight championship bout during UFC 193 in 2015. Getty

Holly Holm of the United States celebrates victory over Ronda Rousey. Getty

The referee stops the fight between Holm and Bethe Correia of Brazil at UFC Singapore Fight Night in 2017. Getty

Holly Holm moves in for a kick as Raquel Pennington defends during UFC 246 at T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas on January 18, 2020. USA TODAY Sports / Reuters

Holly Holm celebrates after defeating Raquel Pennington by unanimous decision at UFC 246 in Las Vegas in January 2020. AFP

Miesha Tate applies a chokehold to win by submission against Holly Holm during UFC 196 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. USA Today

Amanda Nunes lands a kick to the face of Holly Holm at T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas in July, 2019. USA Today

Holly Holm punches Megan Anderson in their featherweight bout during UFC 225 at the United Center in June 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. Holm won by unanimous decision. AFP

Holly Holm lands a punch against Germaine de Randamie at UFC 208 in New York in 2017. AFP

Germaine de Randamie punches Holly Holm. AP

Former bantamweight title-holder Holly Holm says she wants to retire as a champion as she plans to take a huge step towards gold with victory in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.

The American, who won the belt memorably against Ronda Rousey in 2015, headlines UFC Fight Night at Flash Forum, the second of five events on the latest Fight Island series in the capital.

Holm has been heavily criticised in the past regarding the amount of title bouts she has been awarded by the promotion, especially given that she has lost all three of her most recent attempts – twice at featherweight and once at bantamweight.

However, the bantamweight No 2-ranked challenger, 38, insists a fine showing on Sunday against No 6-ranked Irene Aldana would move her back towards yet another championship shot.

“My goal is to have the title,” Holm told reporters at Wednesday’s media day. “I want to retire with the title. I’m truly a big believer in the fact that, if you’re not trying to fight for a title, what are you fighting for?

“If you’re not trying to be No 1, what are you fighting for? That’s the difference between somebody who just wants a participation ribbon and a gold medal. I’m always going for gold.”

Holm, whose professional record stands at 13-5 (6-5 UFC), was slated to face Aldana in August, but the bout was called off after her opponent contracted Covid-19.

“My biggest thing is: the only way to get [a title shot] is to make the best statement with this fight,” Holm said. “I can’t be thinking past my opponent right now, so that’s what I want to do is just make the most of this fight then go from there.”

Having done her homework on Aldana, Holm recognises the threat posed by the Mexican, who sits at 12-5 in MMA (5-3 UFC) and has lost only once in her past six bouts.

“I have watched a little [of Aldana],” Holm said. “I don’t watch a ton of other fighters in my division. I just focus on whoever I have in front of me, but sometimes there will be a fight where it’s like, ‘I may face this woman eventually’.

“Irene is definitely been one of those fighters like, ‘You know what, her and I are definitely going to see each other in the octagon soon’. So, I’ve been watching.”

Aldana, meanwhile, sees a win against Holm as a stepping-stone to a bantamweight title encounter with two-division champion Amanda Nunes. The Brazilian is expected to defend her featherweight crown against Megan Anderson in December.

“I’m confident now,” Aldana said on Wednesday. “I haven’t won the fight yet but I’m confident now. I know I have the level, I know I have the skills and I know I’m going to improve even more when I have the time and I’m going to be ready for Amanda when it’s time.

“We’re going to give her good options at 135. We are not done, we are getting stronger and the competition is getting bigger at 135. She can still be busy at 145, so whatever she wants to do.”