Holly Holm is sticking around the UFC for a while. Despite being 41, “The Preacher’s Daughter” is working toward getting another title shot. And it starts by soundly defeating Yana Santos (formerly Kunitskaya) at UFC on ESPN 43 on Saturday. Holm is favored on the UFC lines as she typically is. She usually beats contenders like Santos and her loss to Ketlen Vieira, could just be an anomaly.
Holm Only Loses To The Best
Holm is 7-6 in the UFC but of these six losses, five came against former or current champions including Amanda Nunes. A popular UFC pick, Holm remains one of the division’s best strikers. She may not have too many knockout wins, but Holm consistently scores decision victories thanks to being tough to hit.
Never forget when @HollyHolm shocked the WORLD against Ronda Rousey 😱
Holm is back in action Saturday in our #UFCSanAntonio co-main event! pic.twitter.com/24hQBRYD9H
— UFC (@ufc) March 21, 2023
The former champion absorbs 2.86 significant strikes per minute. And her takedown defense is top-notch at 78%. It’s why she still can chase titles as she signed a new UFC deal. Holm also tends to move around and not be a stationary target so opponents can fall into the trap of chasing her throughout the fight.
Holm also usually fights in main events or title fights. So fighting a three-round fight should be a welcome change for her as she does not need to be too conservative to save energy. She may just put on a higher pace and double Santos’s output. That’s what makes her the favorite when betting online.
Santos Could Be Changed Fighter
Santos has had some mixed results in her life since she last fought. On the downside, she suffered a brutal TKO loss to Irene Aldana. On the bright side, she broke UFC news by announcing her pregnancy. The layoff plus the arrival of her new child could be a good motivator for the veteran.
Like Holm, she is also rebounding from a loss and looking to earn a title shot. Beating the former champion could just do it for her in a division starved for new blood. Santos could be a formidable foe for Holm. All of her UFC losses have come via ground-and-pound. Her weakness is grappling.
But both Aldana and Aspen Ladd also lit her up. She only absorbs 2.94 significant strikes per minute but could be more battle-worn than Holm. But if she is rejuvenated given her positive life events, she may just upset the UFC betting odds.
Holm vs Santos Head-to-Head
These fighters are similar physically. Both stand at 5-foot-8 with a half-inch reach advantage going to Santos. She’s also eight years Holm’s junior. Holm strikes in the southpaw stance versus Santos’s orthodox style.
Holm vs Santos Fight Information
- Fighters: Holm (14-6-0) vs Santos (14-6-0)
- Location: AT&T Center, San Antonio, TX
- Day/Time: Saturday, March 25, 8:50 p.m. ET
- Holm vs Santos Live stream: UFC Fight Pass
Holm vs Santos Betting Lines
Holm vs Santos Prediction
Holm is the more advanced and fluid striker here so she’s the right side to favor in the sportsbook. Santos may also have renewed will to fight but so does Holm with her friend and teammate Jon Jones having a triumphant return. In a three-round fight, Holm should start fast and outstrike Santos en route to a decision victory.
Holm is listed at -260 in our Vegas UFC lines. This means that if you wager $100 on Holm, you have a chance to win $38. Santos is +200, offering a chance to win $200 on a $100 wager.
The implied probability attached to the betting lines gives Holm a 72.22% chance to win, with Santos at 33.33%
