Holly Holm’s effort to capture another world championship in professional boxing ended in unexpected fashion Saturday night in San Juan, Puerto Rico, when an unintentional collision brought her fight to an abrupt conclusion.
Competing for the first time in a high stakes title bout since her championship days more than a decade ago, Holm challenged undefeated WBA lightweight titleholder Stephanie Han. The contest reached the seventh round before an accidental clash of heads dramatically shifted the outcome.
The moment occurred during close range exchanges when both fighters moved forward at the same time. The impact opened a deep cut on Han’s forehead, immediately drawing attention from the referee and medical staff. After a ringside examination and several minutes of treatment, the attending physician determined the injury was too severe for the bout to continue.
Because the contest had passed the minimum number of completed rounds, officials ruled the result by technical decision. The judges’ scorecards favored Han, allowing her to retain the championship and remain unbeaten with a 12 and 0 professional record.
Watch the highlights below:
Accidental headbutt ends the bout to go to the judges scorecards 😬#SerranoTellez | Live NOW on DAZN ▪️ pic.twitter.com/bNFsCe46hH
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) January 4, 2026
Fight has been stopped due to Stephanie Han’s cut🤯🩸
Main card LIVE ON DAZN NOW🔥#SerranoTellez pic.twitter.com/pA18Sct6bz
— MVP – Most Valuable Promotions (@MostVpromotions) January 4, 2026
For Holm, the setback marked the end of a short resurgence in boxing momentum. Entering the bout with renewed confidence following a unanimous decision victory over Yolanda Vega last June, the former champion had hoped to add another belt to a résumé already filled with accomplishments across multiple combat sports. Her professional boxing record now stands at 34 wins, 3 losses, and 3 draws.
The stoppage leaves Holm facing difficult questions about what comes next. Earlier in 2025, she officially separated from the UFC after more than a decade with the promotion. Her final Octagon appearance came at UFC 300 in April 2024, where she suffered a submission loss to Kayla Harrison. Despite that defeat, Holm never formally announced retirement from mixed martial arts.
At 44 years old, Holm remains one of the most accomplished crossover athletes in combat sports history, holding championship credentials in boxing and mixed martial arts. Whether she chooses to continue pursuing boxing opportunities, explore a return to MMA outside the UFC, or step away from competition entirely remains uncertain.
What was meant to be a defining night in her boxing comeback instead ended in frustration, not because of strategy or conditioning, but due to a sudden accident that left the result in the judges’ hands rather than the fighters’.
