After their fight was cut short, are Stephanie Han and Holly Holm willing to run it back?

But when the bout was halted during the seventh round by a doctor’s stoppage due to an accidental headbutt opening a gash on Han’s forehead, the fight was handed over to the judges and their scorecards. They ruled it a unanimous decision (69-65, 69-64, 68-65) for Han as she retained the WBA lightweight world title in her biggest win to date.

Despite outlanding Holm 87-29 in total punches, Han experienced an unsettled feeling about the bout being cut short of its 10 full three-minute rounds. Though pleased with her performance and the victory, Han felt it was only right to offer Holm the chance to run it back toward absolute closure.

“Holly, you’re an absolute legend. If you want a rematch, let’s do it in El Paso, let’s do it in Albuquerque,” Han told DAZN’s Claudia Trejos about hosting a potential sequel in her hometown in Texas or that of Holm’s in New Mexico, respectively. “I would love the opportunity to fight you again … the whole distance of the rounds.”

Holm gladly accepted.

“Absolutely,” she said. “Nobody wants the fight to end like that. I don’t.”

The fighters embraced. But what was shrouded in respect during the buildup to the fight and its aftermath was traded for fireworks, courtesy of Han’s high volume of output.

The WBA lightweight world titleholder pushed the pace on the front foot, timing Holm’s combinations early and treating the combat sports legend to a steady flow of punches that the legendary fighter struggled to find answers for. That being said, Holm was splitting Han’s guard well in the sixth round, though it appeared like the champion was still in full control at the time of the sudden halt.

Considering that both fighters are signed to Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions, a rematch should not be hard to make.

And there would be a lot at stake with the winner potentially setting up a showdown with unified super lightweight ruler Katie Taylor.