Former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Holly Holm battles Irene Aldana in the main event of UFC on ESPN to be held Sunday, October 4, 2020 at the Flash Forum, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Holm failed in her bid to regain the UFC crown after being knocked out by reigning champion Amanda Nunes at UFC 239 held July last year. She hopes a victory over Aldana propels her back to contention for the title.
“My goal is to have the title. I want to retire with the title. I’m truly a big believer in the fact that if you’re not fighting for a title then what are you fighting for? If you’re not trying to be number one, then what are you fighting for? That’s the difference between somebody who just wants to the participation ribbon or the gold medal. So, I’m always going for gold,” said Holm in the pre-fight interview.
Holm said she is not underestimating the skills of Aldana who she considers a formidable opponent.
“My biggest thing is, the only way to get there is to make the best statement with this fight and I can’t be thinking past my opponent right now. So that’s what I’m gonna do. Make the most of this fight and go from there,” said Holm.
Holm and Aldana will be the first women’s fight to headline a UFC card in the middle east. It’s an honor that Holm is only happy to receive. She is after all a frequent pioneer in her career.
“I like to be part of anything that’s history-making. One of the things that I’ve always wanted to do was do things that haven’t been done before so I thought: ‘You know what. I want to be the first person to have world titles in boxing and MMA. I want to be the first female to this. I love to be able to have a challenge to do something that hasn’t been done before. Well here we are. A little part of history,” said Holm.
In a battle of big boys Yorgan De Castro and Carlos Felipe try to bounce back from losses when they battle at heavyweight in the co-main event of the card.
Other fights in the main card include Germaine De Randamie taking on Julianna Pena at women’s bantamweight; Kyler Phillips facing Cameron Else at bantamweight; and Dequan Townsend battling Dusko Todorovic at middleweight.