UFC legend Holly Holm could be heading back into a world title fight after just one boxing match in 12 years.
Iconic former UFC champion Holm is already a boxing Hall of Famer, but made the switch to MMA in 2013 where she ended up dethroning Ronda Rousey. Now, she is back in the ring where she impressed with a win over the unbeaten Yolanda Vega on the undercard of Jake Paul vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
Meanwhile, Chantelle Cameron has established herself as the WBC interim champion at super-lightweight, making her the mandatory challenger for Katie Taylor. And if the Irishwoman decides against settling that trilogy, the Brit wants Holm to fight her for the vacant world championship.
Chantelle Cameron explains Katie Taylor will have ‘ducked’ trilogy with one move
Back in 2023, when the initial rematch between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano was cancelled, Chantelle Cameron took her chance with both hands. She headed to Dublin and defeated the Irishwoman in her massive 3Arena homecoming, winning undisputed super-lightweight gold.
They rematched the following November, with Taylor winning a razor-close Majority Decision which would have gone the other way had a knockdown been scored in round one. However, the third fight never materialized, and after winning another two against Serrano, it seems the Bray native may retire.
“I just want the chance for redemption for my belts like I gave her,” Cameron explained to Bloody Elbow in an exclusive chat. “She beat me, she got a chance at redemption, she came out successful and then as soon as it was my turn she decided that she wanted to fight her mandatory.
“To me, now I just take it as a compliment because Katie and her team clearly know I’m a threat and I’m very capable of beating her again. If the trilogy happens, amazing, but if it doesn’t I can walk away with my head held high.
“If she fights again and it’s not me, then she has ducked me. But if she retires, then fair play because what she has done for women’s boxing is amazing. She’s a great athlete with the whole of Ireland behind her.
“But facts are facts, if she takes another mandatory fight or some easy fight, then she has ducked me. What she’s achieved in the sport is remarkable but I wonder is she ready to retire? I don’t think she is, she performed really well [against Serrano], she brought back the old Katie Taylor.
“She’s good on her feet, done exactly what she had to do to win and I just don’t know if she is genuinely ready to retire.”
Chantelle Cameron wants Holly Holm if Katie Taylor trilogy can’t be made
Should Taylor opt against fighting Cameron for any reason, she already has a superstar name ready for her vacant title fight; Holly Holm. The UFC legend is back in the ring, and looked tremendous against the world-ranked Vega last time out.
Holm is signed to Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian’s Most Valuable Promotions, as is Cameron with the company scooping up almost all of the best talent in women’s boxing.
Holly Holm won her fight in dominant fashion. Credit: Esther Lin/Most Valuable Promotions
“It is in an email that either Katie fights me or she vacates and I personally think she probably vacates,” Cameron continued. “So if she does that then the title will be up for grabs and I would love to share the ring with Holly Holm, I think that would be a great fight.
“If it happens it would be amazing because I have so much respect for Holly. She’s a legend in UFC, a very good boxer, she’s come back into boxing and I want to have a career where I boxed these kind of people with these kind of names and what an honour it would be to share the ring with Holly Holm.
“I want to have those fights that get you up for it and get you excited and she is a real threat. She will make me get my miles in and push myself in the gym.”