Title: Release of UFC Legend and Future Hall of Famer
UFC president Dana White expressed his desire for Holly Holm to retire, but the 43-year-old combat sports veteran prepared to venture into different realms. Given her UFC contract had two more bouts, Holm opted to be a free agent, eager to explore fresh opportunities, as per Ariel Helwani from The Uncrowned.
Holm has proven her mettle in various fight arenas, making a name for herself in the UFC since 2015, and even bagging the UFC women's bantamweight title by knocking out Ronda Rousey at UFC 193 in a historical upset. However, a loss to Miesha Tate during her title defense set the tone for her career.
Holm faced some of the biggest names in women's MMA, including Raquel Pennington, Rousey, Tate, Marion Reneau, Valentina Shevchenko, Bethe Correia, Irene Aldana, Germaine de Randamie, Ketlen Vieira, Cris Cyborg, and Amanda Nunes. Her record against these renowned fighters is a mixed bag, tallying 2 wins, 7 losses, and 1 no-contest.

Much controversy surrounded Holm's unanimous decision defeat against Germaine de Randamie in 2017, with some saying she was robbed. If this victory had been added to her records, she would have cemented double-champion status, a distinction unmatched in history.
Holm's name is forever etched in UFC history as the only athlete to earn legitimate world championships in boxing and MMA. Her victories over Miesha Tate and Rousey are legendary, adding to her Hall of Fame credentials.

Unfortunately, Holm's UFC tenure didn't end on a positive note. In an April 2023 fight against Kayla Harrison at UFC 300, she was defeated consistent in the second round via submission. Her career has since been put on hold.
At 43, Holm may not have too many fights left in her. She has established herself as a formidable boxer, although boxing has evolved significantly since her full-time days. It would be a challenge to defeat current big names like Amanda Serrano, Mikaela Mayer, or even Claressa Shields, but Holm could secure a decent paycheck.

The former champion has previously trained with Shields during her MMA preparations, developing a familiarity with each other. Policies like the Professional Fighters League (PFL) and Global Fight League (GFL) encourage older fighters, creating a possibility for Holm to explore either.
The choice between maximizing earnings in boxing or pursuing more championship titles in GFL depends on Holm's intentions. She has left an indelible mark on the UFC, and regardless of her future path, it's been an impressive run.
Additional Insights:Holm's future is filled with potential opportunities. She may explore MMA, returning to boxing, participating in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), or competing in the Professional Fighters League (PFL) or Global Fight League (GFL). Her agent, Lenny Fresquez, confirmed her openness to these possibilities, indicating she is not ready to hang up her gloves yet. Holm's impressive record in both MMA and boxing has solidified her status as an icon in combat sports.
[1] https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/35559135/holly-holm-not-getting-released-ufc-through-may[2] https://www.mmafighting.com/2023/4/30/23731367/holly-holm-ufc-release-free-agent-opportunities-boxing-mma-bkfc-pfl-gfl[3] https://www.boxrec.com/boxer/302159[4] https://www.bertiellidaily.com/2023/04/29/holly-holm-looking-to-fight-for-the-pfl/[5] https://www.bloodyelbow.com/2023/4/30/23725226/holly-holm-ufc-release-free-agent-status-considering-boxing-mma-bare-knuckle-bkfc-pfl-gfl
Dana White expressed his wishes for Holly Holm to retire from UFC, but Holm, having a UFC contract with two more bouts, chose to become a free agent to explore new opportunities, as reported by Ariel Helwani from The Uncrowned. Despite this, White shared UFC news about Holm's release from the organization.
Following her victory over Ronda Rousey at UFC 193, Holly Holm became a household name in UFC, winning the UFC women's bantamweight title. However, her career took a turn after a loss to Miesha Tate during her title defense.
In her UFC tenure, Holly Holm faced some of the biggest names in women's MMA, including Raquel Pennington, Rousey, and Amanda Nunes. Her record against these notable fighters resulted in 2 wins, 7 losses, and 1 no-contest, showcasing a mixed bag of results.