Holly Holm Beats Yolanda Vega By Unanimous Decision in 1st Pro Boxing Fight Since 2013

Holly Holm made a triumphant return to boxing on Saturday night, beating Yolanda Vega via unanimous decision in her first boxing match since 2013.

Holm answered any questions about ring rust or age pretty early on. She settled into a nice rhythm early in the fight, taking control of the early rounds with her movement and clean combinations.  

Holm’s smooth movement and ability to manage the distance with her jab showcased her experience and skills at 43. 

Vega was a game opponent, continuing to come forward to bring the fight to Holm. Unfortunately for her, Holm was ready more often than not and did a nice job to counter her.

Women’s boxing star Claressa Shields gave Holm a shoutout for her performance.

Vega might not have been ready for a fighter of Holm’s experience, but the former UFC star showed that she could still be an interesting element in the boxing scene moving forward.

Holm is most well-known for handing Ronda Rousey her first loss in the UFC back in 2015. That made her an MMA star and was the crowning moment of a UFC career that has lasted up until April 2024 when she lost to former Rousey training partner Kayla Harrison.

But Holm's stardom in the UFC has often obscured the fact that she was a world champion boxer before ever stepping in the cage.

The Albuquerque native put together a 33-2-3 record in boxing with championships in three different weight classes before making the move to MMA. She was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2022.

Now she's back to the sweet science with Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions and looking to set up a much bigger fight. She laid out her plan with media ahead of Saturday night's bout.

“Have this fight, get ranked again and then go for the big fight … the Taylor-Serrano fight; those are the top two fighting now. Those are the girls I want to fight, the best in the world,” Holm said.

Paul's promotion has put together a few big fights in women's boxings. The third matchup between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano is set to be the next one on July 11.

Holm already has the name recognition to play headliner. Now she has a win over a previously unbeaten opponent in Yolanda Vega to build that momentum to at least one more major fight.