Sherdog’s Top 10: UFC Upsets

Mike SloanJan 21, 2016

2. Holly Holm def. Ronda Rousey
UFC 193 “Rousey vs. Holm”
Nov. 14, 2015 | Melbourne, Australia

Rousey had become the biggest star the sport had ever seen, while Holm was a former boxing champion who had no chance of lasting more than a minute with the “Rowdy” one; or so it was thought. As it turns out, Holm was a live underdog.

“The Preacher’s Daughter” had made a smooth transition to MMA. Her precision punching paved the way to an undefeated record, and she had developed into a dangerous kicker who could defend takedowns and submissions. Rousey had carved through everyone she had faced, scoring 11 of her 12 wins inside one round. She had beaten her four previous opponents -- Bethe Correia, Cat Zingano, Alexis Davis and Sara McMann -- in a little more than two minutes combined.

Once their fight started, it became clear something was different. Holm picked apart Rousey with punches, evaded her attempts to clinch and forced the champion to pursue her across the cage. Rousey showed no hint of a Plan B, and Holm knocked her out with a head kick in the second round. The upset set the MMA world ablaze with memories of Mike Tyson’s fall in boxing.

Number 1 » Serra-St. Pierre