November Proclaimed ‘Holly Holm Month’ in Albuquerque Following UFC 193 Win

The Albuquerque City Council has proclaimed November “Holly Holm Month” in celebration of the popular fighter’s upset victory over Ronda Rousey in the UFC 193 headliner.

KOB.com first reported the news. Holm, an Albuquerque, N.M., native, knocked out Rousey with a head kick and follow-up punches 59 seconds into the second round of their bantamweight title clash in Melbourne on Saturday night. The Jackson-Wink MMA product entered the bout as a massive underdog, but controlled the contest throughout before handing Rousey the first defeat of her professional career.

A certificate documenting the honor mentions both Holm’s achievements as a world champion in boxing as well as MMA. It also says that “Holm has maintained her humility and integrity as she continues to be an incredible role model to those aspiring for greatness.”

City Council proclaims November Holly Holm month! #UFC @KOATLiveUpdates pic.twitter.com/CjczC93j0y

— Orlando Sanchez (@orlandokoat) November 17, 2015

Thanks to the presence of Jackson-Wink MMA gym in the city, Albuquerque is home to a number of accomplished mixed martial artists, both from in state and around the globe. However, Holm is arguably New Mexico’s most beloved combat sports athlete since the late Johnny Tapia.

“Holly Holm has proven to be a gifted ambassador, not just representing combat sports or women alone, but the City of Albuquerque and the state of New Mexico at large,” the certificate read.

“We ask our community to come together as we celebrate our very own hometown hero, Holly Holm, UFC bantamweight champion, upon her return from Australia, as we honor her with a parade and victory ceremony.”

Holm is expected to arrive in Albuquerque on Wednesday before heading to Los Angeles and New York as part of a championship media tour. Given that schedule, it is unclear exactly when an official ceremony honoring Holm will take place in her hometown.

“The excitement I saw the night of the event is something really special, so I want to make sure there’s a special, really good homecoming,” Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry told KOAT.com.