Holly Holm shocked the mixed martial arts (MMA) world by handing now former champion Ronda Rousey the first loss of the latter’s MMA career Saturday evening at the Etihad Stadium in Melbourne, Australia. The 34-year-old Albuquerque native threw a head kick in the second round to knock out Rousey and bring their bout to a close.

Who is Holly Holm - the woman who brought one if not the biggest upset in the history of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)? Here are some facts you might want to know about the new UFC champ.

Growing up

Holm was raised in a farm alongside two brothers. She grew up on Bosque Farms under the guidance of her preacher father Roger Holm and mother Tammy Bredy (now divorced). She went to Manzano High School and took pleasure from her hobbies - gymnastics and swimming among others.

Pro-kickboxing and boxing career

Before joining MMA, Holm was an accomplished professional kickboxer and boxer. She revealed in her biography on her website that aerobics paved the way to her boxing career where she held a record of 33 wins, nine KOs, 2 losses, and 2 draws). The Ring Magazine also named her “Female Fighter of the Year” for two consecutive years in 2005 and 2006.

Undefeated challenger

Holm began her MMA career in 2011. Her first match was against Christina Domke at the Fresquez Productions - Double Threat event on March 4, 2011. Since her MMA debut, she had won all her fight until UFC 193 against Rousey. It was Holm’s third fight this year. She also fought in the undercard of Rousey’s fight against Cat Zingano at UFC 184 in February 2015.

Meanwhile, Rousey has broken her silence following her knockout loss to Holm on Sunday evening by a post on Instagram. Rousey, who was taken to the hospital after the fight, thanked her supporters and said that she will take time off before she returns to the Octagon Ring.

“I just wanted to thank everyone for the love and support,” Rousey wrote. “I appreciate the concerns about my health, but I’m fine. As I have mentioned before, I’m going to take a little bit of time but I’ll be back.”

Rousey has reportedly stated before the fight that she will be taking a long break from UFC to work on her movie with Mark Wahlberg titled “Mile 22.” It has been said that she will come back in July 2016.

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