Holly Holm has confirmed ESPN's report that she has pulled out of UFC 243 due to injury. The 37-year-old Holm was scheduled for a rematch against Raquel Pennington on the October 5th pay-per-view card.
"I wanted to say thank you to all of the fans who are always supporting me," she wrote Saturday alongside a video on Instagram. "I am super bummed I can't fight next weekend. I was looking forward to seeing all of you and being able to perform there again in Melbourne. I'm staying positive and will be back to 100% soon. Just a little set back but I'll be back before you know it"
The rematch was set to take place in Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia, the same venue in which Holm won the UFC women's bantamweight title (back in 2015) by knocking out then undefeated champion Ronda Rousey. Holm made her UFC debut against Raquel Pennington at UFC 184 in February 2015, winning the match by split decision.
For Pennington, this was a chance for her to get revenge on a fight that some thought she should have actually won. It's unclear if Pennington will remain on the UFC 243 card.