A UFC legend added another sport to their résumé on Saturday, and nobody saw it coming.
Saturday saw the inaugural event for the new Real American Freestyle Wrestling promotion take place in Ohio. The organization was co-founded by Eric Bischoff and the late Hulk Hogan.
A number of notable names were in action at Wolstein Center in Cleveland, where 10 bouts played out under Olympic-style freestyle wrestling rules.
In addition to UFC middleweight prospect Bo Nickal returning to the mats with a win, the night’s main event saw Wyatt Hendrickson beat Mostafa Elders by a 14-1 technical fall to become the inaugural RAF heavyweight champion.
But while those names were advertised, one fighter’s walkout left jaws wide open…
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UFC great Holly Holm competes as shock replacement at first Real American Freestyle Wrestling event
Holly Holm is a true multi-sport athlete, and she once again proved as much by competing on just a day’s notice at RAF 01.
‘The Preacher’s Daughter’ was introduced by Bischoff as a shock replacement for Kennedy Blades, who was not cleared to compete by the NCAA. Holm was narrowly beaten 9-7 by Alejandra Rivera after performing valiantly in their unexpected match.
That outing marked the ex-UFC bantamweight champion’s second combat sports contest since departing MMA’s leading promotion. Holm made a successful boxing comeback by dominating Yolanda Vega this past June.
In addition to her illustrious career in the cage, Holm was a multi-time world champion in boxing and defended her titles 18 times across three weight classes. The 43-year-old is also a two-time Ring magazine fighter of the year, having earned the honor in both 2005 and 2006.
Over two decades into her combat sports career, Holm added another feather to her cap on August 30.
Cris Cyborg brands Holly Holm ‘one of the GOATs’ as shock wrestling match draws praise
Having come out on a day’s notice and put in a competitive performance against Rivera, Holm was widely praised by fighters, fans, and analysts online.
Among the most prominent names to react was fellow women’s combat sports legend Cris Cyborg, who branded Holm “one of the GOATs” in response to Saturday’s event.
“Holly Holm is 43. She has competed and won in boxing, MMA and kickboxing. Now she’s competitive in wrestling of respectable level on short notice. Insane athlete.”
“Not going to lie, Holly Holm coming out to compete in wrestling is one of the most bad a— things to happen this year.”
“Holly is just a beast, she’s always gonna be competitive even if called up from the couch. She’s dedicated and people are gonna miss her when she hangs it up.”
“A true martial artist.”
“One of the GOATS for all of women’s combat sports @HollyHolm.”
And it seems like many are hoping to see more of ‘The Preacher’s Daughter’ on the mats.
“Please bring Holly Holm back to RAF.”
“Holly Holm was epic. Coulda been nonsense but was really good.”