FORMER boxer Holly Holm defeated UFC star Ronda Rousey in the second round of their November 14 mixed martial arts contest in Melbourne, Australia.

With a string of quick victories Rousey had single-handedly turned women’s MMA a major event. Holm was a considered a significant underdog but with a head kick and follow up punches she halted Rousey and won the UFC’s bantamweight championship in front of a record crowd of 56,214.

“This fight was a lot for me mentally,” Holm said. “It was a lot to take in, but those are the kind of fights where a loss is that devastating but a win is that sweet of a victory.”