GERMAINE de Randamie was crowned the UFC's first female featherweight champion after defeating Holly Holm via unanimous decision, Mirror Online reported today.

All three judges scored the fight 48-47 in De Randamie’s favour against her American opponent, who is a former bantamweight champion.

The dutchwoman started well in the UFC 208 main event in Brooklyn, New York and held on to claim a historic victory of the newly-created 145 pound (65.7kg) division.

"It was a close fight. In the third round, she caught me with a head kick.

“But I came to fight. She didn't come to fight. I like to fight,” she said in a post fight interview.

Meanwhile, in the co-main event, Brazilian fighter Anderson Silva emerged victorious over Derek Brunson from the USA.

It was his first victory since 2012.

The 41-year-old MMA legend looked to have lost at least two rounds against Brunson, but was instead granted a unanimous decision win by all three judges.