Queen of the cage?
Holly Holm switches to MMA this Friday at Route 66

Interview and photos by Ray Mares

Ray A. Mares: Why the change to MMA?

Holly Holm: I think the biggest thing is I’m not changing, everybody thinks that I’m quitting boxing. I’m adding, I want to do a little bit (MMA). I’m not quitting boxing by all means. Everybody’s main question is why are you making the change. I’m not making a change, I’m just doing more.

RAM: Where do you go from here? If you win is there the possibility of fighting elsewhere, outside of New Mexico?

HH: You know right now all I’m really focusing on March 4th. You know we’ll see where it goes from there. First of all I don’t ever do any of this other for than the main point of passion. And then other things that fall into place, I let ‘em. And yes I think it’s good for my career as far as getting my name out there to do MMA however that’s not what my goal is. Yes, I hope that comes with it but my goal is just win March 4th. That is my goal right now.

RAM: Is there another objective you have by fighting March 4th? Is it to gain more experience in the cage or do you have some other reason?

HH: I really wanted to fight with kickboxing again & I’ve really enjoyed learning the grappling. I want to do it because it’s fun.

RAM: Seeing MMA evolve over the last 15-20 years since 1993, are there been any females that you have looked up to, that you respect or that have been mentors to you?

HH: As far as MMA? You know I just think that Julie Kedzie has been a huge help for this fight. She’s been fighting MMA for a while now. I think that, I can’t thank her enough, she’s been so helpful for this. I mean I look up to all my teammates. Kelly is new to the team, she’s really good on the ground & we just got...I’ve been training for boxing with Jodie & Nohime for years & I just feel like as far as women, sports, like in fighting & MMA or boxing, I look up to my teammates because they’re who we build together with. You know like I don’t look at a female fighter & think “oh, I’d like to be like her” because my mindset is “I want to beat her”.

RAM: Is that the mentality of world champion? Is that how you get to where you’re at by setting your sights that high?

HH: I mean I think you have to have confidence to get in the ring because if you don’t feel like you can beat them before you get into the ring you’ve already lost, you’re mentally beat.

RAM: How do you mentally prepare for boxing versus mentally preparing for MMA? Is there a difference?

HH: Ummm......it’s just like...I think the biggest question right now has been, “oh, do you think you’re ready for MMA?” Well...I signed the contract, you know so... I mean, of course I feel like I’m ready otherwise I wouldn’t have taken the fight. Do I think I’m ready to be number one yet? No. You have to start somewhere. But am I gonna’ sit there tell myself, oh, I’m not ready? No. I think mentally I have to feel confident enough either way. Boxing, yes, I’ve been there before, I’ve done that time & time again but I’m still trying to perfect everything with boxing & still feel like I’m...I still have so much to improve on. With this, trying to get motivated for this, I think, well, I want to get to that spot with MMA fighting, I think I can get there & I think you’ve got to have that mindset or else...if you don’t have that as a goal, then you stay at the same spot.

RAM: Are you planning, or are there any plans in the not so distant future of fighting outside of New Mexico?

HH: Oh, I’m never against that. We’ll take any opportunity. In boxing, I’ve been able to make more money at home, so why would I leave? We’re able to create the possibilities here for people. They (other fighters) get paid more I promise than they do in their hometown. It’s kind of a...a lot of people think I stay here because I’m comfortable. That’s just stuff they like to say. I’m here because that’s where my opportunities have been. An opportunity to present itself outside I’ll be there.

RAM: Do you think you have a lot of detractors? It seems like the mainstream media can’t get enough of you. Do you think that there’s a little undercurrent of people that are just hating?

HH: Ummm...I think that with MMA things might change. With that there’s a lot more bill getting...if they’re getting into fighting, they’re getting into MMA than boxing. Female boxing, um, you know we’ve kinda’ been at the top of the game for a while so the attention is here in Albuquerque.

RAM: I noticed that you were kinda’ hard on yourself in the cage earlier.

HH: I just get pissed off when I don’t do stuff right. Yeah, I get emotional.

RAM: I was going to ask you are your emotions different in MMA than they are with boxing? Do you have moments where you tell everyone “back off & leave me alone?”

HH: Oh, as far as that, oh yeah…Mostly because, in boxing, when I know something I do wrong & I’m still doing it wrong, I’m like, get it right. You gotta’ get this right before you get in there, whether is MMA or boxing, it doesn’t matter.

RAM: Where does this drive coming from to do all this, I mean, you have world class mentors here but what’s really pushing you, what’s driving you? You’re young gal, you have a bright future in both sports. What’s pushing you?

HH: I don’t ever want to get to the end of a fight & think, I didn’t take that one very seriously. I don’t want to do that, “I wish I coulda....” and it is a small window of opportunity, it’s not a very long career. So I want to embrace every moment.

RAM: Well, we’re all fans. We’re very blessed that we have Holly Holm, Keith (Jardine), Winklejohn , Greg Jackson. For independents like us it’s like a dream come true we’ve got this in our backyard. Gerardo (Martinez, NM Boxing Writer) & I have to go outta town, outta state some time to cover stuff but the best stuff is right here.

HH: Albuquerque’s awesome for fighters. I don’t know what it is but we love it.

RAM: Is there anything you want to tell your fans that we can put in the story?

HH: Just to come out. It’s an all ages event. You know that’s huge. There’s a lot of people that are like “I wanna bring my daughter & she’s still in high school & she’s been wanting to go to a fight & she can’t go.” You know so I use to teach a technique class a few years ago & a lot of the kids that were in there were like high school age...wanted to go watch me fight, you know? So I think it’s awesome that it’s an all ages event. I mean, people are gonna go watch big concerts or even like WWF. Kids like all that stuff but they don’t normally go to one of our fights & so you know, uh, it’s awesome.

RAM: You know, don’t worry you’re not competing against Saturday’s Montster Truck Jam (Holly laughs). That won’t even be what people are wanting to really go see. You guys are the main ticket. That’s about it...Holly I wish you a lot of success .

HH: Thank you I appreciate it. Thank you so much, thanks for coming in...thanks for your time.

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