SINGAPORE - It is Holly Holm's first visit to Singapore and while foreign athletes typically struggle with the heat and humidity here, the American mixed martial arts star is feeling right at home.

One of the biggest names and most recognisable faces in the sport, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fighter Holm is in town to headline the main event at the promotion's second show in the Republic on Saturday (June 17).

The 35-year-old former UFC women's bantamweight champion will take on Brazilian Bethe Correia at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

To gear up for that bout and ahead of her weigh-in on Friday, Holm has been going for runs at the Marina Bay area since she arrived in Singapore last Sunday.

She said: "I don't mind the sweat and heat. I like it here."

The American chuckled as she recounted how passers-by spotted her while she was running and they took photographs with her.

"They didn't want to slow me down, so they came up beside me and ran alongside with me and we took a photo."

Holm made headlines for sensationally beating Ronda Rousey in November 2015 to end Rousey's unbeaten run and capture the bantamweight belt.

But since then, it has been downhill for Holm, as she lost her title and her following three fights.

So she enters the Octagon in Singapore hoping to recover her mojo and resurrect her career.

Holm, who will leave Singapore on Sunday, said: "Those losses were frustrating, very heartbreaking.

"There was a lot of negativity and doubt. But I can choose to be down on myself on these three losses and sulk about it at home all day, or I can say I don't want anymore losses.

"I know I'm 35 and there's a second mountain I'm climbing.

"But I'm still passionate about it, I've got to where I am because I love MMA. The only cure for my losses is a victory.

"One fight makes all the difference in the world (to earn another title shot), I know it can happen like this," added Holm while snapping her finger.