UFC tabs Holm vs De Randamie for inaugural women’s 145-lb. belt
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is shaking things up for its women fighters by introducing a new Featherweight division, along with an inaugural title fight between Holly Holm and Germaine de Randamie.
The bout will co-headline the upcoming UFC 208 card at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, on Feb. 11, as confirmed by the promotion’s Twitter account on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila).
BREAKING! @HollyHolm & @IronLadyMMA to compete for the inaugural women’s 145lb belt at #UFC208! https://t.co/K7ipM0TL4V pic.twitter.com/ZqAgaNJFFS
— UFC (@ufc) December 14, 2016
Holm (10-2) will get her second crack at UFC gold just a year and a month removed from her stunning head kick knockout over Ronda Rousey.
However, the former bantamweight titleholder has hit a rough patch as of late and has been defeated in her last two outings against Meisha Tate and Valentina Shevchenko.
Despite her recent struggles, Holm enters the match-up as the favorite due to her striking pedigree and championship experience.
Her opponent, De Randamie (7-3), is coming off impressive back-to-back wins following a November 2013 knockout loss at the hands of current 135-lb. champion Amanda Nunes.
The Dutch striker, who goes by the monicker Iron Lady, has defeated Larissa Pacheco via a second-round knockout at UFC 185 and Anna Elmose via first-round knockout at a UFC Fight Night showcase in May.
Prior to the announcement, perennial contender Chris Cyborg was reportedly offered by UFC President Dana White to fight for the title on two separate occasions. The Brazilian superstar, however, turned down both opportunities due to her inability to make weight.
Even though she is happy with the UFC’s decision to finally open her division, Cyborg couldn’t help but throw some shade at the upcoming match-up.
“Everybody knows I’m the featherweight champion,” she was quoted as saying in an MMAFighting report.
“I’m undefeated for 10 years in my division. They put this belt only to sell the fight for the new MMA fans. For an example, Holly is coming off two consecutive losses and will fight for the belt. The real fight fans know what’s real,” she added.
Aside from the inaugural women’s featherweight title, a clash between men’s 145-lb. champion Jose Aldo and Max Holloway is reportedly scheduled as the main event.
The Brooklyn card will be the promotion’s second show in New York following the success of UFC 205 last month. Khristian Ibarrola
