10 Emotional UFC Moments That Made The Fans Cry
4. 'The Preacher's Daughter' Overcomes
This could serve as a double-header, as Ronda Rousey's first MMA loss was an extremely sad moment in itself, but Holly Holm's remarkable victory was just as big a moment.
'The Preacher's Daughter' was an overwhelming underdog. A former pro boxer, she had an advantage on her feet, but hadn't looked entirely convincing in her UFC run to that point. Ronda, meanwhile, was coming off an emphatic KO victory over Bethe Correira, her position atop women's MMA seemingly unassailable. Nobody gave Holm a shot, yet she delivered one of the most startling underdog victories in UFC history.
Having controlled much of the fight through superior stand-up and strong takedown defence, Holm knocked Ronda out with a high kick. 'Rowdy's' three year reign was over. Holly, meanwhile, was overcome. Her tears were almost instantaneous, and she was barely able to stay composed throughout her post-fight interview, the magnitude of her victory still sinking in.
Holm's next fight would see her on the receiving end of an equally emotional triumph, as Miesha Tate came from behind to upset her in her first title defence. Still, her win over Rousey will be replayed forever.