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Multi-time boxing champion Holly “Hottie” Holm picked up her first mixed martial arts victory tonight with a convincing stoppage of tough challenger Christina “Machine Gun” Domke in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The featured bout was part of a solid card at Fresquez Productions: “Double Threat.”

Meanwhile, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, grappling wizard Sheila Bird won her professional MMA debut with a one-sided drubbing of Tanya Byrne. The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and multi-time FILA Grappling World Champion took Byrne down and battered her with punches for a first-round TKO win.

Holm (29-1-3 Boxing; 1-0-0 MMA), who also competes under the moniker “The Preacher’s Daughter,” employed an effective arsenal of punching combinations and leg kicks that wore Domke (4-2-0) down over the course of the opening round. Domke managed to score a takedown, but Holm returned to her feet and continued to showcase her world-class striking until the round came to a close.

The second round was more of the same, as Holm punished Domke with punches and more leg kicks; the latter of which eventually put Domke down for good. The referee called a stop to the fight, giving Holm a big victory over a very credible challenger in her MMA debut.

Winner: Holly Holm by TKO (Leg Kicks) at 3:58 of round two. She improves to 1-0-0.

At Unified MMA 7 in Edmonton, Bird (1-0-0) earned her first pro win by handily dispatching of Muay Thai standout Byrne (0-1-0). Bird took Byrne down and unleashed an onslaught of punches from top position that caused Byrne’s face to badly swell; reminiscent of that of Diego Sanchez on Thursday evening at UFC on Versus 3. Bird continued to score with brutal punches on the ground until the referee finally intervened on Byrne’s behalf.

Bird, who won an amateur MMA bout five years ago, made an emphatic statement in her pro debut.

Winner: Sheila Bird by TKO (Punches) at 3:51 of round one. She improves to 1-0-0.

As more elite female athletes take an interest in mixed martial arts, the sport and its women’s divisions continue to grow. Holm and Bird are two of the latest females to turn pro in MMA, and Olympic judoka Ronda Rousey will follow suit later this month.

Thanks to Jenessa Potts and Nicole Keryluke for live updates.

(Photo Credit: Life.com)

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This post is related to events on our Calendar:

• Unified MMA 7 - Edmonton, AB
• Mean1 MMA: Double Threat - Boxing Champ Holly Holm debuts in MMA

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