Holm-coming: Thousands turn out to welcome Holly Holm back to Albuquerque
Following a whirlwind few weeks where Holly Holm shocked the world with her second-round knockout over Ronda Rousey, the new champion finally returned home to Albuquerque, N.M., where thousands of local fans came out to greet her.
A parade was held in Holm's honor on Sunday as she came back to New Mexico for the first time since the victory over Rousey and a slew of appearances around the United States that followed.
Holm was finally able to make it back to her hometown — the same place that supported her throughout her boxing career and the start of her mixed martial arts career before all roads led to the showdown with Rousey at UFC 193.
An emotional Holm had a hard time fighting back the tears as the crowd roared at her arrival and hung on every word she said while everyone in attendance gave her plenty of reasons to be happy to be home again.
"I'm not done yet," Holm said to the crowd in attendance. "We're still going to take it to the top. I love you guys. Thank you so much!"
Following her initial reception, Holm apologized to the crowd because she accidentally left her title belt at home when she came to the parade and the homecoming celebration thrown in her honor.
Over the last few weeks since winning the belt, Holm has done dozens of interviews, a huge number of appearances including stops by every major media outlet as well as several talk shows and even attended a basketball game in Los Angeles as the guest of actor Jamie Foxx.
It's all been a crazy ride, but chances are being back at home in front of the New Mexico faithful was the best feeling yet since Holm's left leg slammed into Rousey a few short weeks ago.
