The private life of Holly Holm, a prominent athlete known for her successes in boxing and mixed martial arts, has become a subject of curiosity among her followers. They want to understand the personal dimensions of her life, including her sexual orientation and relationships.
Holm’s sports career was marked by exceptional successes. In boxing, she won world titles in three different weight categories, and Ring magazine named her fighter of the year twice. She successfully defended her world titles 18 times, making her one of the most respected female boxers in the history of the sport. Making the switch to mixed martial arts, Holm carved a niche for herself by winning the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship and is best known for her victory over Ronda Rousey in 2015. A pioneer in combat sports, Holm is the first female athlete to win major world titles in both boxing and MMA. As of the beginning of 2024, she is ranked fifth in the UFC women’s bantamweight division.
Holm’s reputation goes beyond her competitive achievements. She is celebrated for her precise striking, fearsome shots and extraordinary dedication to training and fair play – qualities that have defined her legendary career.
As for her personal life, Holm has chosen to maintain a line between her public persona and private affairs. The former UFC champion has not publicly disclosed her sexual orientation and there are no substantiated reports that she has been romantically involved with anyone, regardless of gender. Consequently, any claims about her being a lesbian are speculative and unsubstantiated.
It’s not uncommon for public figures to face speculation about their sexual orientation, and Holm is no exception. Some unfounded assumptions have been drawn from her athletic personality and physical appearance, leading to stereotypical links between athletic prowess and sexual orientation. It is important to recognize that engaging in such speculations can contribute to perpetuating harmful stereotypes and disregarding respect for individuals’ privacy.
Holm’s previous marital status is a matter of public record. She was previously married to Jeff Kirkpatrick, a native of Albuquerque, New Mexico, where Holm is from. Kirkpatrick, who grew up with parents Toni and Vicki and two sisters, studied accounting and finance at the University of New Mexico. The couple’s wedding took place on April 27, 2012 in Cancun, Mexico. However, the marriage reached the point where Holm filed for divorce on January 3, 2019, a development that became public knowledge on January 13, 2019, following a report by TMZ.
Holm admitted to Ariel Helwani that she prefers a private divorce settlement, given her public status and Kirkpatrick’s local family business. She emphasized her commitment to authenticity, despite her surprise that the divorce went public.
The athlete chose not to reveal details surrounding the end of her marriage, but shared that the divorce marked a significant period of personal growth and relief from ongoing struggles. She spoke candidly about the personal challenges she faced, similar to those faced by others in the martial arts community and beyond, stressing that each individual faces unique adversity away from the public eye.
As Holm continues her life in and out of the fighting arena, the emphasis remains on respecting her choice to disclose personal information at her own discretion and affording her the privacy that every person rightfully deserves.