Holm looking to rebound from 1st back-to-back losses of career

Before UFC on FOX 20 on Saturday, Holly Holm had never suffered back-to-back losses during her entire fighting career, boxing and kickboxing included.

But a shock defeat by Valentina Shevchenko, who put on a dominant display to win via unanimous decision, means Holm now faces questions about her standing in the women's bantamweight division.

Eight months ago at UFC 193, Holm shook the division to its core by taking down the seemingly unstoppable Ronda Rousey and earning the belt.

However, after relinquishing her championship to Miesha Tate at UFC 196 in March and now falling further from title contention with the loss to Shevchenko, Holm is looking to regroup quickly.

"I have to get back in there and go forward," Holm said during the post-fight press conference, according to Dave Doyle of MMAFighing.com. "I know I'm capable of more. I just have to believe in myself more. I know I can do more than the way I performed tonight."

The 34-year-old Holm dismissed the idea that she'd taken her position for granted after becoming champion, and stressed that she remains driven to succeed.

"I've never in my career, whether it be in boxing or MMA, felt like I was at the top, because I know that somebody else is aspiring to be the best," Holm said. "Just as when I first came into MMA I thought I want to have titles in both, I have drive behind me. I still do. So I never look at the division and think I made it to the top and I'm just going to stay there. I know there will always be people who are hungry, always people who are getting better."

Holm praised Shevchenko, but said her own failings led to the loss.

"Valentina is really tough," Holm said. "We knew that. Counterpunching, clinch, trips, all that. It's not like I haven't been taught the right things. It all comes down to my performance and it wasn't great tonight."