A new era began in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) as Holly Holm stopped Ronda Rousey's run as champion with a head kick in the second round of their fight at UFC 193, which was held at the Etihad Stadium last Sunday.
Holm, who remained undefeated at 10–0, is now the UFC women's bantamweight champion handing Rousey (12–1) her first loss and ending her time on top of the division, which saw the latter defend the title for six times.
Rousey had the same approach to begin the fight, she was the aggressor and was trying to put pressure on Holm.
But the challenger was ready, showing great footwork to answer Rousey's attempt of pushing her to the cage for a possible takedown.
Holm, a former three-division boxing champion, then let her fists fly as she connected with her punches and also sneaked in a number of combinations which staggered Rousey.
However, it was not all Holm in the first round as Rousey had the chance to bring it to the ground and even had an opening for an armbar, which she is famous for.
Unfortunately for Rousey, Holm was ready for her ground game and escaped the hold.
Once the fighters returned to their feet, Holm landed a few more bombs and even took Rousey down before the opening round ended, with Holm clearly winning it.
Rousey, understanding that she lost the first round, again pressured Holm but was more careful, although the challenger's excellent footwork was again in full display.
Holm tagged Rousey a number of times while continuing with her splendid movement, which even made Rousey fall on her left knee once following a missed attempt to land a left hook.
A desperate Rousey still tried to exchange but Holm landed another stiff punch which dropped the former champion and as she was getting up, Holm landed a perfectly placed head kick that knocked out Rousey.
Holm got in a few more hammer punches to a floored and already unconscious Rousey before referee Herb Dean stepped in to stop the fight.
After UFC president Dana White awarded Holm the belt, "The Preacher's Daughter" thanked her team in her post-fight interview with UFC commentator Joe Rogan, also saying that everything they worked for was present in the fight.
