Holly Holm cracks top-5 at lightweight after Stephanie Han loss
Holly Holm has landed in the top five of ESPN's lightweight rankings despite losing her rematch to Stephanie Han.
The former UFC bantamweight champion showed enough in the Han bout to warrant divisional recognition, according to ESPN's updated women's rankings. Holm's stock rose even in defeat, with the performance convincing enough to crack a competitive 135-pound landscape.
How Holm's ranking shift impacts lightweight division
The rankings update reflects a growing trend of crediting fighters for competitive showings against elite opposition rather than raw win-loss records alone. Holm's boxing pedigree and technical adjustments in the Han rematch apparently outweighed the result on the cards.
ESPN releases updated divisional rankings across all women's weight classes on a rolling basis, with Holm's lightweight placement representing one of several shifts in the latest refresh.
Reported via:
- ESPN Boxing — Women's divisional rankings: Holm's effort in defeat earns top-5 spot at lightweight
Related Fighters & Stats
Get Ringside Updates
Fight announcements, results, and analysis delivered to your inbox. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.