How it unfolded
Ronda Rousey was 12-0 and had finished her previous three fights in 16, 14 and 34 seconds respectively. Challenger Holly Holm, a multi-division boxing world champion turned southpaw striker, was given almost no chance. From the opening bell, Holm circled counterclockwise, landing straight left hands each time Rousey advanced. Whenever Rousey clinched to attempt a judo throw, Holm framed off and pulled free, and midway through the first round she rocked Rousey with a counter that opened a bloody nose. At 0:59 of the second round, as Rousey lunged forward off balance, Holm landed a left high kick to the side of the neck. Rousey collapsed and the fight was stopped after follow-up strikes. A crowd of 56,214 packed Etihad Stadium, then a UFC attendance record.
Why it still matters
Widely regarded as the biggest upset in MMA history. The narrative of an unbeaten icon ended on a single kick, and women's MMA moved past dependence on one specific star into an era defined by division-wide depth. Bantamweight's competitive landscape was reshaped afterward around Miesha Tate and Amanda Nunes.