Holly Holm Faces Stephanie Han in Must-Win Rematch for Lightweight Title
Hall of Famer Holly Holm enters a pivotal rematch against WBA lightweight champion Stephanie Han this Saturday in El Paso, Texas, with her boxing future hanging in the balance. The fight, headlining Jake Paul’s MVPW-03 card at the El Paso County Coliseum, offers Holm a shot at redemption after a controversial technical-decision loss in January.
Holm (34-3-3, 9 KOs) last held a world title in 2013. Now 44, she faces Han (12-0, 3 KOs) on a card that also features unified featherweight champion Amanda Serrano defending against Cheyenne Hanson. The event airs on ESPN starting at 9 p.m. ET, with preliminary coverage beginning at 3:30 p.m. ET on the ESPN App.
A Title Shot Born From Controversy
Their first meeting ended abruptly in the seventh round when an accidental clash of heads opened a deep cut on Han’s forehead, forcing the referee to halt the bout. The judges’ scorecards — which had Han ahead on two cards and the third even — awarded her a technical decision. Holm, who had been pressing forward behind her jab, expressed immediate frustration.
"Nobody wants the fight to end like that. I don't," Holm said in her postfight interview. The rematch was secured almost immediately, with Han willing to give the former champion a second chance in her hometown.
Holm has called Saturday’s bout a “must win.” A loss would effectively end her hopes of capturing a world title in a third decade. A win, however, would cap one of the most remarkable late-career resurgences in women’s boxing — and potentially set up a unification bout or a major pay-per-view event.
Holm’s Legacy and the Shadow of Rousey
Holm’s name remains synonymous with one of the biggest upsets in combat sports history: her 2015 head-kick knockout of Ronda Rousey to win the UFC bantamweight title. That moment made Holm a crossover star, but she returned to boxing — her first sport — shortly after and has since compiled a respectable 10-3-1 record.
Ironically, Rousey herself returned to MMA earlier this year, submitting Gina Carano in the first round at MVP MMA’s debut event. Rousey then announced her retirement, but not before responding to Holm’s recent comments about a potential rematch.
"I think that I am a completely different fighter now. I would clean her clock," Rousey told Up and Adams on May 28. She credited new medication for managing a neurological condition called cortical spreading depression, which she said had affected her vision in previous fights. Holm had said days earlier that she would "always be open to fight [Rousey] again."
While a Holm-Rousey rematch remains unlikely — Rousey insists she is retired — it underscores the enduring interest in Holm’s career. Even at 44, she draws attention that few boxers her age command.
Stakes on Saturday
For Holm, a victory would make her a world champion at an age when most fighters have long retired. It would also validate her decision to remain active after her 2022 induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. For Han, a homecoming win would solidify her status as a legitimate champion and likely lead to bigger fights — potentially against Serrano or other top lightweights.
The card is stacked, but all eyes are on the main event. Holm’s experience, durability, and southpaw style could trouble Han, who relies on speed and volume punching. Expect the champion to try to impose a high pace early, while Holm may look to counter and use her footwork to set up power shots.
Broader Implications
This fight arrives at a time when women’s boxing is enjoying unprecedented visibility. Promotions like MVPW — backed by Jake Paul — are investing in all-women cards, and fighters like Serrano, Claressa Shields, and Katie Taylor have become mainstream draws. A competitive, clean fight between Holm and Han could further legitimize the 135-pound division and inspire more investment in women’s bouts.
Should Holm win, the narrative of a 44-year-old former MMA champion reclaiming glory in boxing would be irresistible to casual fans. Even in defeat, her willingness to fight on after the January controversy has earned respect. The outcome will shape what remains of her storied career — and possibly set the stage for one last superfight.
In a week that also featured Dmitry Bivol’s return and the buildup to Oleksandr Usyk’s heavyweight dominance, Holm’s rematch stands out as a story of resilience and unfinished business. For a fighter who shocked the world once before, Saturday offers a chance to do it again.
For more on the weekend’s biggest matchups — including the Unity Cup final — see Nigeria vs Jamaica: Unity Cup 2026 Final Set for Saturday in London.
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