Ultimate Fighting Championship Women's Bantamweight Champion Holly Holm is a clear-cut illustration that hours in the gym and mental focus can pay off in a big way.
Recently, Holm wrested the coveted UFC title from the previously undefeated MMA champion Ronda Rousey. The 34-year-old boxer-turned-mixed martial artist from Albuquerque, New Mexico fended off Rousey's takedown attempts.
Holm delivered a head kick that knocked out her famous opponent during their well-attended fight at the Etihad Stadium in Melbourne, Australia.
Staying in good shape through healthy eating, an intense workout, and continuous training played integral parts in Holm's victory. Before the big fight, Holm tweeted that even in her hotel room in Australia, she got a little workout done.
Rousey herself is an epitome of fitness and health. She runs, swims, boxes, wrestles, and engages in judo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, among others. She is also known to take giant veggie and fruit shakes twice a day.
Now hailed as the "greatest women's combat sports athlete of all time," Holm runs for at least four days every week and she ramps it up prior to a fight. She also sticks to a healthy diet that matches her fitness and energy levels rather than resorting to calorie counting, Sweat for It reported.
Holm wrote on Instagram that the countless hours she spent in the gym plus the dedication and help of her coaches and supporters helped her achieve that shining moment in her sporting career.
In another instance, Holm posted a shout-out that she loves the life and journey she has taken. A positive, focused mind and undivided attention to her sport worked in her favor.
In contrast, Rousey gushed about so many plans she wanted to venture into after the UFC match. These included making more movies. Rousey invited distractions of various forms before stepping into the octagon with her 13th challenger, USA Today reported.
The two MMA fighters may have a rematch, something that Holm said she looks forward to. The UFC superstars' rematch is one showdown mixed martial arts fans will be eager to see. For now, both athletes are striving to get back to top fighting form.