New Mexico's UFC champ acts like true winner

Announcers introduce her as “The Preacher’s Daughter.” Sporting News calls her the “nicest girl on the planet.” Until Saturday, New Mexico just called her Holly.

But in a matter of minutes everything changed, and now everyone calls the Manzano High School grad the undisputed UFC women’s bantamweight champion of the world.

Holly Holm delivered one of the biggest upsets in the Ultimate Fighting Championship history in Melbourne, Australia, taking Ronda Rousey’s belt in a decisive win with a kick to the head and three follow-up punches. As a record UFC crowd of 56,214 in Etihad Stadium and an estimated million-plus pay-per-view customers held their collective breath, Holm’s five-a-day workouts and skill in boxing and kickboxing did much of the talking.

But so did her demeanor.

Holm, in white, offered Rousey, in black and the designated bad girl of the sport, her gloves for the ceremonial tap before Round 1 and was left hanging. She then went to work, and when an unconscious Rousey hit the canvas just 59 seconds into Round 2 and the referee stopped the fight, Holm took a knee in concern.

When a shaken Rousey stood up, Holm hugged her and had a few words. And as Rousey was taken to a local hospital, Holm skipped any braggadocio and trash talk and thanked her team.

“I had so much love and support I just thought, ‘How can I not do this?’ This right here is priceless.”

So is having a winner who really acts like one. As pundits debate whether Holm can be the UFC marketing juggernaut Rousey has been, and as the UFC pushes a rematch, New Mexicans can proudly claim a fighter who, in her mother’s words, is “a class act.”

Fans say Holm taught Rousey a lesson Saturday night. She taught everyone watching one as well.

— AlbuquerqueJournal