Women's boxing legend Holly Holm improved her pro-MMA record to 6-0 with a unanimous decision win over Angela Hayes last night at Fresquez Productions "Havoc" in Albuequerque, New Mexico.
Ari LeVaux of Bloody Elbow was there to talk to Holm post-fight about fighting on the ground, her upcoming 5-round title fight and what she has to say to the UFC's Dana White.
Sherdog had a description of the action:
"She had a good clinch and on the ground she made it hard for me to tee off on her. It's the first time I've been there (the ground) in a fight," Holm said.
The opening round proved to be the most difficult, as Hayes was able to close the distance and force Holm into a grinding battle in the clinch. Still, Holm appeared to be the stronger fighter and was able to control the struggle for positioning, tossing the Colorado-based fighter to the floor late in the frame.
Holm was able to find her range in round two, connecting with a variety of accurate kicks to the knees, legs and body. The New Mexico native appeared to hurt Hayes with a pair of hard body kicks late in the frame, but the 40-year-old Rough House MMA & Fitness representative made it to the end of the period.
A steady diet of low kicks to Hayes' lead leg were Holm's weapon of choice early in round three. Later, Hayes showcased admirable resilience by remaining upright after absorbing back-to-back head kicks from the former world champion boxer. When a wobbly Hayes attempted to clinch out of sheer desperation, Holm dragged her to the mat and moved into full mount, where she attacked with measured ground-and-pound. One final takedown in the waning seconds capped off the victory.
Ari also caught Holm and her trainer Mike Winkeljohn of Jackson's MMA talking to the media at the post-fight press conference.