Pros React to Germaine De Randamie’s Defeat of Holly Holm

Last night, the UFC made its first stop in Brooklyn, New York with UFC 208. The card was headlined by a bit of history, as the main event crowned the UFC’s first-ever women’s featherweight champion. In corner of this main event, we had former women’s bantamweight champion Holly Holm. In the other, we had Dutch kickboxing import Germaine De Randamie.

Though it was not a particularly riveting fight, this one ultimately went to De Randamie. Given the fact that Holm seemed to steal the second half of the fight, and that De Randamie landed two blatant shots after the bell, however, this outcome generated immediate controversy among MMA fans. Holm and De Randamie’s fellow fighters, of course, also had plenty to say about this iffy outcome.

Here are some of the best fighter reactions to De Randamie and Holm’s fights, De Randamie’s shots after the bell, and De Randamie’s close decision win over Holm.

I fought in then men's welterweight division and DeRandamie fought in the women's bantamweight & she has a longer reach than me #UFC208

— Chris Clements (@menaceclements) February 12, 2017

Iron Lady landing… iron on Holly's chin. #ufc208

— The Mane Event™ (@EliasTheodorou) February 12, 2017

Wow!! @HollyHolm w the takedown attempt!!

— Miesha Tate (@MieshaTate) February 12, 2017

And @IronLadyMMA finding that timing for her right hand to land. Power shots for days @ufc

— Miesha Tate (@MieshaTate) February 12, 2017

That post bell punch was bunk!!

— Leslie Smith (@LeslieSmith_GF) February 12, 2017

https://twitter.com/FunkMaster_UFC/status/830653822884315136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

https://twitter.com/CubSwanson/status/830654032578351104?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

https://twitter.com/RothwellFighter/status/830654110127030272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Ref not being on top of separating them properly allowed that strike to be thrown, and land, late. #ufc208

— The Mane Event™ (@EliasTheodorou) February 12, 2017

2 times

— Amanda Nunes (@Amanda_Leoa) February 12, 2017

Take a damn point already. #ufc208

— Nina Ansaroff (@NinaAnsaroff) February 12, 2017

How the hell is this ref doing a world title fight!!

— sheldon westcott (@sheldonwestcott) February 12, 2017

That's a point right now WTF!!!! Next foul should be a DQ

— Louis Smolka (@LouisSmolkaMMA) February 12, 2017

I don't agree with Joe! Defend yourself at all times. Classic Muay Thai mentality! Fight until you are separated. #UFC208

— Dan Hardy (@danhardymma) February 12, 2017

Brooklyn has the worst ref in mma history how many times do you go over the bell before you take a point

— Lorenz Larkin (@da_MONSOON) February 12, 2017

Holly

— Amanda Nunes (@Amanda_Leoa) February 12, 2017

I got @HollyHolm winning that fight.

— Kyle Noke (@KyleNoke) February 12, 2017

I think we have a new champion

— Big Ben Rothwell (@RothwellFighter) February 12, 2017

Wow are you kidding me!!!

— sheldon westcott (@sheldonwestcott) February 12, 2017

Soooo it should have been a Draw across the board with a point deduction #UFC208

— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) February 12, 2017

Wow thought holm won that

— Robert Whiteford (@Flyinjudoka) February 12, 2017

https://twitter.com/CatZingano/status/830659657924423680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

I'm calling for a rematch between @HollyHolm and Germain bad call by the ref

— Michelle Waterson (@karatehottiemma) February 12, 2017

Controversial or not, this win makes Germaine De Randamie the first ever women’s featherweight champion in UFC history. She’s now on a three-fight win-streak, having proceeded this title win with stoppage defeats of Larissa Pachecho and Anna Elmose. The new champ’s overall record now stands at 7-3 in sum.

At a glance, it would seem that this win lines her up for a title defense against the fearsome Cris “Cyborg” Justino. Post-fight, however, she explained that she will be getting some surgery done on her hand, which will keep her out of action for some time. Cyborg, of course, will also be on the shelf for a time, as she is currently dealing with a potential USADA suspension.

In defeat, Holm falls onto a three-fight losing streak, having proceeded her career-changing knockout of Ronda Rousey with losses to Miesha Tate, Valentina Shevchenko, and now Germaine de Randamie. She now owns an overall record of 10-3.

What did you think of Germaine De Randamie’s shots after the bell? How did you score the fight? Sound off, PENN Nation!

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 2/12/2017.