Hall of Fame boxer Holly Holm will be making her return to boxing after a 12-year absence, and has signed with Most Valuable Promotions.
Holm, a 43-year-old southpaw, will face unbeaten Yolanda Vega, whose signing was also announced Wednesday by the Jake Paul-led promotion, on the Paul-Julio Cesar Chavez Jnr card on June 28 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
Holm hasn’t fought as a boxer since 2013, when she beat Mary McGee by unanimous decision in her hometown of Albuquerque, New Mexico. What she did afterwards would bring her greater recognition than her boxing exploits ever could, as she signed with Ultimate Fighting Championship, amassing a record of 15-7 (1 NC), highlighted by her second-round knockout of then-unbeaten star Ronda Rousey in 2015 to win the UFC women’s bantamweight championship.
Holm last fought in April of 2024, submitting by rear naked choke to Kayla Harrison at UFC 300 before being granted her release from the MMA promotion in January.
“I'm excited to partner with Most Valuable Promotions and return to the boxing ring,” said Holm, whose boxing record is 33-2-3 (9 KOs), in a press release.
“This new chapter is going to be an exciting journey, and I'm looking forward to the challenge. Coming full circle back to boxing – I've spent most of my MMA career at 135 pounds, and now I have the opportunity to make my boxing debut at that weight. With boxing titles in three higher weight classes under my belt, I'm eager to pursue a fourth title in a new division.”
Holm’s biggest wins as a boxer include a unanimous decision over Anne Sophie Mathis, which avenged a previous knockout loss, plus decisions over Christy Martin, Jane Couch and Mary Jo Saunders.
Holm’s longtime manager Lenny Fresquez revealed to BoxingScene in January that he had engaged in discussions with Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions, among other companies.
Vega, 10-0 (1 KO), is no soft touch for Holm's return to boxing. The 29-year-old from Sonora, Mexico, turned pro in 2015 and has remained unbeaten, defeating Claudia Herrera in March in her most recent fight.
“I feel very happy and grateful to God that a company of this magnitude has taken me into account to join their roster,” said Vega. “I am very committed because I know what it means to fight among the highest elite ranks and I trust a lot in my work reflecting at MVP. Fighting against a champion of this stature on Saturday, June 28 brings me closer to my aim of becoming a world champion. I respect and admire her work a lot, but today she has become my next goal, and goals are meant to be achieved.”
The signing is the latest – and arguably most significant – from Most Valuable Promotions in recent weeks, as the company has bolstered its reputation as the leading promotion in women’s boxing with the additions of Savannah Marshall and Chantelle Cameron while also announcing the third fight between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano, set for July 11 at New York’s Madison Square Garden. Other notable female boxers under the promotion include Alycia Baumgardner, Dina Thorslund and Shadasia Green.
“Holly Holm is the most dominant two-sport athlete in history – period,” said Bidarian. “Her accomplishments in both boxing and MMA are unmatched, and we’re honored to welcome her to Most Valuable Promotions. I remember when Holly shocked the world by knocking out Ronda Rousey, and I have no doubt she has the ability to shock the world again in her quest to become a boxing world champion once more. But Yolanda is a proud Mexican fighter and has her own plans, which is why she has signed a multi-fight contract with MVP. Signing both Holly Holm and Yolanda Vega reflects our commitment to building the biggest platform in the world for women’s boxing.”
Ryan Songalia is a reporter and editor for BoxingScene.com and has written for ESPN, the New York Daily News, Rappler, The Guardian, Vice and The Ring magazine. He holds a Master’s degree in Journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism and is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. He can be reached at ryansongalia@gmail.com or on Twitter at @ryansongalia.