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Promoter: Holm initially offered $15K/$15K by UFC, could bank $250K for boxing bout

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Holly Holm’s immediate schedule is filled with icing sessions and physical therapy, but already her future holds a lucrative prospect.

Holm has one fight remaining on her contract with Legacy FC, where she competed this past weekend and kept her undefeated record intact despite breaking her arm. But according to Legacy FC promoter Mick Maynard, she could earn a hefty payday if she decides to return to the boxing ring for a fight in Las Vegas in September.

The former IBA and WBF light welterweight champ is expected to meet with a European boxing promoter who will offer her $250,000 to fight multi-title champ Cecelia Braekhus, said Maynard, who spoke to MMAjunkie on Monday.

Such a payday undoubtedly would provide a strong incentive to Holm despite the fact she hung up her 16-ounce gloves this past year to pursue MMA full time. It would also dwarf the amount she was offered to fight in the UFC. The initial bid from the industry-leader was $15,000 to show and $15,000 to win, Holm’s coach, Mike Winkeljohn, told MMAFighting.com.

The UFC declined to comment on the offer when contacted today by MMAjunkie. Holms’ agent, Lenny Fresquez, was not reachable for comment at the time of this writing.

In a previous interview, Fresquez said he had a positive meeting with UFC executives Dana White, Lorenzo Fertitta and Sean Shelby. He added, however, that the two sides needed to bridge a gap in order to make a contract viable for Holm, who banks tens of thousands of dollars when she fights in her native Albuquerque, N.M.

Fresquez also was emphatic that should Holm earn a UFC title shot with current women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey, her compensation would get a significant bump.

“The thing is making sure we get paid for Ronda,” he said. “We’ve gotta get paid to fight Ronda.”

Holm will soon decide whether or not she’ll undergo surgery to repair her arm, which she broke early in her fight with Juliana Werner at Legacy FC 30. Maynard said she’ll also meet with the boxing promoter on Saturday when she attends a title rematch in Las Vegas between champs Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley.

Braekhus already has taken aim at Holm in the boxing press. She issued a statement upon Holms’ retirement, saying she was “very, very disappointed” a fight between them wouldn’t materialize.

Braekhus’ manager was more pointed: “It’s sad that a great career ends like this – now she will always be remembered for running away from Cecilia Braekhus, the best female fighter in the world.”

For more on the UFC’s upcoming schedule, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.

Be sure to visit the MMA Junkie Instagram page and YouTube channel to discuss this and more content with fans of mixed martial arts.

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