Holly Holm doesn't see many logical options after dominant UFC on ESPN 43 win

SAN ANTONIO – Holly Holm admits she’s in a bit of a tricky situation after a dominant performance over Yana Santos in the UFC on ESPN 43 co-main event.

It’s not a predicament the former UFC women’s bantamweight champ is particularly unfamiliar with, though.

Holm (15-6 MMA, 8-6 UFC) kept her name among the top contenders at 135 pounds on Saturday when she used a takedown-heavy approach to grind out Santos (14-7 MMA, 4-4 UFC) for a unanimous decision at AT&T Center. Her resume, notoriety and the fact she competed in a thin division means Holm is a constant presence in title conversation, but the current demand seems to be lacking.

She’s already suffered a first-round knockout loss to champ Amanda Nunes when they fought at UFC 239 in July 2019, meaning the UFC would be tasked with selling a rematch to a definitive result. It might still happen, but at this point, Holm isn’t demanding anything. She doesn’t know what the next move is, but the only people above her in the UFC rankings are Nunes, Julianna Peña and Raquel Pennington.

“We’ll see whatever they come up with,” Holm told MMA Junkie and other reporters at the UFC on ESPN 43 post-fight news conference. I definitely feel there’s not many above me. I’ve fought Raquel Pennington twice (and won), so sometimes that doesn’t make sense. However, if that’s the fight again, then, you know. But other than that it’s Peña or the championship, I guess. But you never know. Things change so much and you never know. I just want to keep getting better in the gym and whatever they present is what it’s going to be.”

Prior to UFC on ESPN 43, Holm signed a new six-fight contract with the UFC. She’s ticked the first off with a one-sided performance, and now the journey forward continues.

At 41, Holm is among the oldest fighters on the UFC roster regardless of gender. She thinks she’s still capable of competing at a high level for years to come, though, and won’t put a definitive end point on her future.

“That’s very possible (that I fight out of the full contract),” Holm said. “I don’t ever like to put a timeline on myself, but I definitely know that I’m not like 25 or 30 anymore. I still feel very healthy right now. I definitely know retirement is sooner than it was 10 years ago, but I’m not ready to do it right yet.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 43.