Holly Holm ‘Still Pushing Forward’ After UFC 239 Knockout Loss

Sign up for ESPN+ right here, and you can then stream UFC on ESPN+ live on your computer, phone, tablet or streaming device via the ESPN app.

Advertisement

Holly Holm had a chance to reclaim the bantamweight crown against Amanda Nunes at UFC 239, but things did not go as planned.

Early on, Holm was having some success but late in the first round, Nunes landed a perfectly-timed head kick that dropped “The Preacher’s Daughter.” The Brazilian finished off the victory with follow-up punches 4:10 into the opening frame. After the loss, the 37-year-old took to her Instagram story to release a statement.

“I always say I get to live the life of a dream. I never actually dreamed of getting kicked in the face, that’s never part of my dream,” Holm said. “That’s like on the nightmare part, living a little nightmare, wake up every morning like, ‘Yup, that’s real, that just happened.’

“But I just want you guys to know I’m feeling good and I know one thing: I’m still pushing forward.”

Although it was a tough loss, Holm did crack a joke about her lip being cut. And, she assured her fans she was doing fine after the loss.

“A lot of heartbreak right now, but I’m doing fine, I just want you guys to know I appreciate the love and support,” Holm said. “And if you would like to have free lip filler, just get kicked in the face.”