Holm: I believed there was no method I’ll struggle previous my late twenties. I’d struggle eight years, I do not know. I did not know the precise time. >> Commentator: Holly Holm, the undisputed welterweight champion.

Placing solely certainly one of her many belts on the road tonight. >> Holm: At 25, I believed, “Oh, my gosh, there isn’t any method I will likely be completed in a pair years.” However 30 would be the max.

>> Narrator: By age 30, Holly Holm had captured boxing world titles in a number of weight divisions. >> Ring announcer: And nonetheless the IBA and WBL feminine mild welterweight world champion! >> That is once I began doing MMA at 30 once I thought I’d be completed preventing. >> Narrator: Holm’s accomplishments in boxing gave her confidence in setting the best of objectives as she crossed over into blended martial arts. >> Holm: Going into MMA, my very first thing was, I wish to maintain titles in each MMA and boxing. No one has completed that. >> Mike: She’s prepared, Joe. >> Joe: She’s overcome super stress conditions like she’s about to face proper now. >> Narrator: A part of reaching her lofty objectives and turning into the primary lady to defeat Ronda Rousey, who held the UFC’s bantamweight belt when Holm received the title shot in November of 2015. >> Herb Dean: Shield your self always, observe my directions.

>> Joe: Holly is beginning to present her abilities.

Wow! Wow! Stunning. Stunning. She’s harm! She’s harm! >> Mike: Head kick, Holly seeking to end! >> Joe: She’s out! >> Mike: Holly Holm is the new UFC bantamweight champion of the world! >> Joe: Oh, my God! >> Narrator: Holly Holm shocked the world in Melbourne, Australia and the excessive profile victory gave her a degree of fame and notoriety she by no means anticipated. >> Holm: It is positively affected my life in lots of methods.

It has been one of the busy years I’ve ever had. >> Girl: Holly “The Preacher’s Daughter” Holm. >> How does it really feel to make UFC historical past and shock the world? >> These are the moments you dream about. >> Girl: She’s the primary particular person ever to win a world title in each boxing and the UFC. >> By me simply taking that alternative is precisely why we’re sitting right here at this time. So no matter they throw at me is simply how I’ll maintain that very same mentality.

I do not wish to change something.

>> Narrator: Holm proved that superstardom is transferrable on this sport. After beating Rousey, her famed skyrocketed into 2016, the place she fought on one of the yr’s greatest pay-per-views and broke summer season document rankings as a headliner on FOX. >> Beating Ronda and getting all the popularity was enormous. It modified many elements of her life, however nobody else is aware of it as a result of she is similar Holly. She’s nonetheless the identical lady that comes within the door. There isn’t a entourage round her. She’s coming in, she works out. She helps her teammates. Hangs out with the identical pals, so I do not suppose she’s modified in any respect.

>> Narrator: And though she has since relinquished the bantamweight belt, a recent problem within the UFC’s latest division has been offered. She’s going to face Germaine de Randamie at UFC 208 for the inaugural 145 pound title. >> Good.

Palms up, arms up. Go. Good, strive it once more, go. >> Holm: I do not wish to simply have had the 135 pound belt. I wish to do one thing that ladies have not been in a position to do. Not simply titles in each MMA and boxing. A number of titles in boxing. A number of titles in MMA. >> Assault. Good. A two division champion is what we’re taking a look at and who is aware of, then perhaps go again and get the opposite title and have them each on the similar time.

>> Narrator: Like Holly Holm, Germaine de Randamie joined the world of MMA following her achievements exterior of it, in a rustic synonymous with fight sports activities. >> I reside in Utrecht, The Netherlands.

It is actually in the middle of Holland. [Laughing] Thanks. I am a really social particular person, I prefer to have a great time. I imagine life must be lived and I imagine on this metropolis we reside. Thanks, Al. >> Narrator: de Randamie grew up competing in sports activities and she or he would ultimately strive her hand in kickboxing. >> Commentator: Proper uppercut-left hook by Randamie.

>> Randamie: I gained fights and I gained once more and I gained once more and I gained once more. >> Commentator: And down goes Angela.

>> Commentator #2: That was a proper leg, Phil. She’s not getting up. >> Randamie: I used to be undefeated and I gained Dutch title, three European titles and ten world titles in three completely different weight divisions. >> Narrator: Unbeatable within the ring, de Randamie would search a brand new stage the place she will be able to challenger herself. >> de Randamie: I knew I needed to go to MMA. >> Narrator: de Randamie introduced her aggressive model of hanging into each struggle. >> Mauro Ranallo: Oh that one tagged Yamanaka.

There’s a proper head kick, catches Yamanaka on the chop. >> Mike: Making her UFC debut tonight, “The Iron Woman” 46 skilled Muay Thai fights, 46 victories. >> Joe: Yeah, you’re speaking about an actual high tier striker. Germaine harm her, she’s getting harm. >> Mike: That one landed large time.

Huge uppercut. >> Joe: They need to cease this struggle. >> Mike: It’s all over! >> De Randamie: I get lots of assist, I get a lot assist. Folks strolling the streets like, “Hey, you struggle within the UFC. That’s so cool.” MMA was not very talked-about right here in Holland and after the UFC got here right here, it went via the roof.

>> Anik: You’ll be able to’t hear a factor on this enviornment, hopefully you possibly can hear us.

>> Narrator: The proud Holland native helped welcome the UFC to her dwelling nation when the promotion introduced its first ever occasion to the Netherlands final Might. >> Buffer: de Randamie! >> Referee: Prepared? Prepared? Let’s go. >> De Randamie: Right here in my dwelling nation, you higher be prepared for a really powerful struggle. A really powerful crowd and a really powerful struggle. The gang lifted me up. They stood behind me as one military. >> Anik: Oh, large knee from de Randamie. >> Kenny Florian: De Randamie actually pouring it on now. Brutal knees. >> Anik: Oh! >> Florian: That one hit! >> Anik: Dropped her. Germaine de Randamie blowing the doorways off in Rotterdam! >> That was the crown of my profession. I used to be for as soon as, the folks’s champion.

I wish to deliver the belt dwelling to you guys. The belt dwelling to you! [crowd cheering] >> Narrator: Within the excessive desert of central New Mexico, lies Albuquerque, the place former bantamweight champion, Holly Holm prepares for UFC 208. Though this will likely be her first MMA struggle as a featherweight, altering weight divisions is nothing new for Holm, who frequented did in order an expert boxer; from 140-147 and at the same time as excessive as 154 kilos. >> Holm: Cauliflower mash.

Butternut squash floor turkey and bacon quiche. Do not inform him, as a result of I am having that one. And a few paleo soup, potato pumpkin chili. Simply going to warmth this up, that is what is good about prepped meals. Dinner is completed. >> Only for the document, her pal makes nice ready meals. Holly is like such a great cook dinner. I imply for me, completely spoiled life. >> I do not like onions however I cook dinner with onion powder. >> Jeff: I feel lots of people had been within the air, was the UFC going to open up a 145 pound division and hey in the event that they make that call to do it, there’s not a greater particular person to run the present for it.

So I believed it was nice. Struggle week itself will be a little bit bit higher, not having to chop as a lot weight. >> Holm: I like good meals. I prefer to eat salads on a regular basis, even once I’m not coaching. However I am additionally not in opposition to getting some dessert or like a bag of peanut M&Ms.

Nothing flawed with that. >> When she will get the “W” if she needs to keep at 145, nice. If she needs to go again right down to 135, nice. Her teaching employees, they’ve completed the best job in the world of getting her the place she is at this time. That no matter they wish to do, I assist it 100 %. >> Mr. Garcia, after she throws her combo, you punch that middle. >> Narrator: Masters of technique and veterans of the struggle sport, Holm’s coaches take expertise from previous bouts with Germaine de Randamie to arrange Holm for her check in opposition to the Dutch kickboxer. >> Buffer: de Randamie! >> Joe: What a traditional Muay Thai stance from de Randamie. Good entrance kick to the physique by Germaine.

Good proper hand excessive. >> We fought her a protracted time in the past with Julie Kedzie, so I do know a little bit bit about her. Nice, nice standup fighter. Powerful as ever.

>> Joe: This isn’t the place Julie needs this struggle to happen. She most definitely needs to clinch up, however not like this. >> Germaine is tremendous powerful. She’s clearly certainly one of the very best feminine kickboxers of all-time and Holly is without doubt one of the greatest feminine boxers of all-time, so it is going to be a problem. >> Buffer: “The Iron Woman” de Randamie! >> Holm: She positively has her strengths and her ability set, which makes her a menace however she’s additionally beatable. >> Girl: You do not drink espresso? >> De Randamie: Nah, tea is okay. Let’s sit down. That is from my, I fought Julie Kedzie my first UFC struggle.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. This is without doubt one of the most lovely title fights I feel. This was my first struggle in america. I fought Angie Parr. I used to be the main underdog, like no one gave me an opportunity and I knocked her out within the first spherical. >> Commentator: Down goes Angela.

>> Commentator #2: That was a proper leg, Phil. She’s not getting up. >> These are her treasures. She all the time says, “You’ll be able to’t ever give a belt away.” As a result of generally you’ll be like, “I’ll give one to my coach.” No, no, no that’s not an choice. >> Willy: No, no, no, it is for me. >> We even have a spot for that UFC belt although. We’ve a spot. It will come proper there. >> Proper over there.

Right here. I hope so.

I hope so. You by no means know, eh? >> Narrator: Few Dutch kickboxers like de Randamie have efficiently crossed over into MMA. However she is in good firm with those in a position to make their mark- akin to heavyweight, Stefan Struve. High-five middleweight, Gegard Mousasi. >> Brian Stann: Oh, he is harm! >> Narrator: And former heavyweight title challenger, Alistair Overeem. >> Joe: Oh! >> Narrator: However certainly one of the primary Dutch standouts to crossover with ease was kickboxing champion, Melvin Manhoef. >> Commentator: Melvin with an enormous left after which a proper and a left and a proper. >> Narrator: Who gained a MMA title within the mid-2000’s. Manhoef has welcomed de Randamie to his new coaching facility in north Holland. Together with hanging coach, Paul Lamoth. The workforce relishes each alternative to showcase Dutch hanging on the world MMA stage. >> Paul: [speaking Dutch] >> We’re all the time well-known for the kickboxing in fact, however the MMA we’re getting there now.

We’ve a pair of excellent fighters. >> Paul: [speaking Dutch] >> Standup degree is actual completely different in Holland, you already know? The extent of trainers, the teaching.

>> Paul: [speaking Dutch] >> Manhoef: So I feel right here particularly have the roots. I feel that is the important place you must be. >> Paul: [speaking Dutch] Narrator: de Randamie represents the most recent in Holland’s high MMA fighters. However when she made the change from kickboxing in 2008, many doubted that she would achieve success. >> Folks instantly mentioned, “You need to cease MMA. Return to kickboxing, this won’t ever give you the results you want.” In order that gave me a lot motivation to show I might do it. I might make it to the best degree.

For a second within the starting of my MMA profession, I used to be doubting. I did not wish to present as a result of I used to be afraid of the takedown. I’m snug now, like I used to be in a kickboxing ring. So now I can let my arms go. Now I can lastly be Germaine, be Iron Woman.

>> Narrator: When she takes to the Octagon at UFC 208, de Randamie goals to make a press release in opposition to former champion, Holly Holm. >> de Randamie: Now all people that is aware of me, there isn’t any secret. I’ll strive to knock her out. That is my preventing model. I come to complete fights and I will give every little thing I’ve to complete her. >> Mike: One of many biggest stars fight sports activities has ever recognized. >> Narrator: UFC 208’s important occasion will function a pair of embellished feminine athletes, whose accomplishments proceed the UFC’s Octagon. >> Joe: What led her to turn out to be an elite kickboxing champion, makes her a really, very harmful fighter in MMA. >> Narrator: Earlier than Germaine de Randamie gained titles in kickboxing, she competed in soccer at a excessive degree. >> de Randamie: I began at a really younger age.

I attempted loads of different sports activities, however I all the time persist with soccer. That was all the time my holy sanctuary. [speaking Dutch] It was enjoyable, I preferred it and I used to be enjoying with a nationwide workforce within the Netherlands.

However your pursuits are to vary. A pal of mine, he was doing kickboxing and he requested me, “Hey, you wish to come one time?” Run for it! And I am like, “Yeah, why not? Let’s give it a strive.” And I began doing kickboxing and two months after, I fought my first struggle.

>> Joe: She’s a champion, she’s a sort of person who will excel at something she needs. >> De Randamie: I am a really pushed particular person I’ve to say. Even once I performed soccer, I simply don’t love shedding. And the factor is, once I step out of the Octagon or a boxing ring or a soccer area, I wish to know I gave it my all. >> Narrator: de Randamie will now get an opportunity to perform essentially the most tough athletic feat of her life, when she takes on former boxing and UFC champion, Holly Holm for the inaugural UFC ladies’s featherweight belt. [speaking Dutch] >> Narrator: And together with coach, Jelmer Wijnia, she is making ready for 5 onerous championship rounds. >> Jelmer: She known as me, “Hey, Jelmer-I want your assist.

I’ve to struggle in opposition to Holly Holm and it may be an enormous struggle.” >> Usually I solely practice muscle endurance, now we will put a little bit little bit of power in it.

I advised them, it doesn’t matter what you’ll throw at me, you aren’t going to interrupt me. You may beat me up. You may beat the [bleep] out of me, however I will not break. >> Narrator: For each fighters, this historic important occasion is a chance to not solely seize UFC gold, however to show their dedication to accepting even the hardest of challenges. >> Holm: I by no means needed to be a paper champion, the place you simply type of take fights with all people that you already know you’re higher than and makes your document look good on paper.

I by no means needed that, I all the time needed to be challenged.

>> There you go. >> de Randamie: In the event you get the possibility to struggle for a UFC belt, you do not say, “No.” >> I wish to be remembered as somebody who rose to the event, as anyone that took the possibilities, but additionally made the very best of them. >> I do know that is my one and solely likelihood. It will solidify my profession. The world goes to keep in mind the Iron Woman. That is a promise..

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