Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions has signed former UFC bantamweight champion and boxing Hall of Famer Holly Holm, marking her return to the boxing ring after a 12-year absence. Holm, 43, will face undefeated boxer Yolanda Vega in a lightweight bout on June 28 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, on the undercard of Paul’s own fight against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
Jake Paul’s MVP Signs Holly Holm for Boxing Comeback
Jake Paul, who began his boxing career in 2018 and quickly gained attention for high-profile bouts against athletes from various backgrounds, has used his platform to promote both men’s and women’s boxing through MVP. The company has recently signed several notable female fighters, including Savannah Marshall and Chantelle Cameron, signaling a commitment to elevating women’s boxing.
In an interview with The Schmo, Jake Paul said of Holly Holm’s signing:
“It’s amazing, man. I grew up watching her in the UFC, saw when she knocked out Ronda. She’s just a legend, and a lot of people don’t know that she is a boxing world champion. Now she’s coming back to get another belt and finish off her career on top. I think she just wanted to get back into boxing and MVP is the best promotional company in the game, and especially for women. So she wanted to be with the best.”
Holly Holm’s combat sports career began in boxing, where she compiled a record of 33 wins, 2 losses, and 3 draws, winning world titles in three weight classes and defending her belts 18 times. She was named Ring Magazine Female Fighter of the Year in 2005 and 2006, and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2022.
The US-born Holm transitioned to mixed martial arts in 2011, joining the UFC in 2015. She became widely known for her knockout victory over Ronda Rousey at UFC 193, which earned her the UFC women’s bantamweight title and is considered one of the most significant upsets in MMA history.
After her MMA run, which concluded with a 15-7 record, Holm requested her release from the UFC in early 2024 to pursue other opportunities. With women’s boxing now enjoying greater exposure and financial support than in the past, Holm has chosen to make one final run at a boxing title before retirement.
Her upcoming opponent, Yolanda Vega, is undefeated at 10-0 and will present a significant challenge as Holm seeks to add a fourth divisional title to her legacy.
Holly Holm’s return is part of a broader push by MVP to raise the profile of women’s boxing, with several high-profile signings and events planned in 2025. The June 28 bout will be Holm’s first boxing match since 2013 and could position her for a title opportunity if she is victorious.
