Holly Holm has revealed that a kidney issue was behind her withdrawal from an upcoming fight against Julianna Pena.
“Much love to everyone reaching out with care and concern,” Holm stated on Instagram. “Turns out I have hydronephrosis. In my case it’s something they say I was born with but just hadn’t had any problems until now. I’m doing great and will be fine. A little bump in the road but thankfully it’s fixable. I hope to only have to postpone a few weeks from the original date of May 8 to fight. Excited to get back in there and put it all on the line for you guys!!!”
Hydronephrosis is a condition that leads to the kidney’s swelling due to urine failing to drain properly from the kidney to the bladder, which in Holm’s case was causing sharp, recurring pain in her abdomen.
Holm will now undergo a medical procedure which should hopefully solve the problem and will keep her out of action for around 4-6 weeks.
After that Holm is hoping that her fight with Pena can be rebooked, though ‘The Venezualen Vixen’ has been trying her best to push for a title fight against Amanda Nunes instead, which Dana White has shown interest in, though the champion has so far been less enthusiastic.
