Holm challenges Taylor for bout following disputed Han decision
Holly Holm disputes judges’ scoring after loss to Stephanie Han in El Paso, publicly calling for a fight with Katie Taylor to rectify what she sees as a missed career opportunity.
Former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Holly Holm has issued a public challenge to WBA lightweight champion Katie Taylor, asserting that she deserved a victory in her recent bout against Stephanie Han. The call for a high-profile crossover fight comes in the wake of a majority decision loss to Han at the El Paso County Coliseum in Texas, an event Holm believes unfairly closed a door to what she considers the most significant matchup in her career.
The rematch took place last Saturday as the featured contest on the Most Valuable Promotion’s MVPW-03 card. Holm, who requested her release from the UFC in January 2025 to return to boxing, had previously defeated Yolanda Vega five months after leaving the mixed martial arts organisation. Her first encounter with Han was stopped in the seventh round due to a cut resulting from an accidental clash of heads, prompting the need for this second bout.
Despite Han retaining her title via majority decision, Holm remained adamant that the judges’ scoring was incorrect. Speaking at the post-fight press conference, the former champion expressed frustration that the outcome of her performances in the ring is subject to the interpretation of officials who have never competed in the sport. She argued that every fight dictates which professional opportunities become available, noting that a win would have expanded her options while a loss restricts them.
Holm took to Instagram on Tuesday to formally request the bout with Taylor, describing the Irish boxer as a "dominant champion" and a figure of "pure class." She posted a promotional image featuring both fighters, stating her desire to share the ring with Taylor and suggesting that the matchup was a natural progression that was thwarted by the disputed result. Holm noted that she feels she performed well enough to warrant the opportunity, regardless of the official verdict.
The former UFC star highlighted a historical timing overlap in their careers, observing that when she was active in boxing, Taylor was just beginning her professional journey, and Holm was preparing to transition into mixed martial arts. She expressed hope that the fight can still be arranged, arguing that if she had performed better, she would be the logical choice to secure the bout, and suggesting that Taylor would also be interested in the contest.
