Ilia Topuria did what no one has ever done when he put Max Holloway down and out with a vicious knockout to defend his title and cap off the UFC 308 main event.
It was a stunning performance from the reigning featherweight champion as he dealt with some adversity in moments as Holloway kept after him with a nasty lead jab and showing patience in the exchanges. But it was only a matter of time until Topuria found his opening and it was a huge right hand in the third round that wobbled Holloway and sent him stumbling towards the cage.
Topuria immediately seized on the opening as he rushed forward and unloaded a massive left hook that twisted Holloway’s head around and sent him crashing to the canvas. A few more hammer fists followed but the fight was already over as the referee rushed in to rescue Holloway with the end coming at 1:34 in the third round.
While there was a lot of talk between them beforehand, Topuria paid homage to Holloway in his post-fight interview.
“I don’t know what to say to be honest,” Topuria said following his first title defense. “To beat a legend like Max Holloway, it’s something that I can’t even believe. He inspired me so much in my career. He’s been a great example for the new generation.
“I’ve always said now that I represent the new generation. I hope I’m going to be a small portion of the example for what he’s been for me, for the new generation. All the credit to Max Holloway. He’s the man.”
Prior to the finish, Topuria definitely knew he had a fight on his hand with a back-and-forth battle throughout the first two rounds of the fight.
As the action got started, Topuria actually caught Holloway by surprise with a well-timed takedown but featherweights were quick to get back to the feet. On the restart, Holloway peppered away with a good lead jab and Topuria countered with a nasty calf kick followed by a hard right hand behind it.
Topuria was really loading up with his punches while Holloway showed poise and patience as he continued to operate behind that lead jab. A late flurry allowed Topuria to connect with a solid shot as the fighters stumbled to the floor but the action stalled before the horn sounded to end the round.
While Holloway was still connecting consistently with that same straight punch, Topuria finally started finding a home for his big overhand punches as he dipped inside with no fear of reprisal. He popped Holloway with a hard left and a stiff right as Topuria started gaining some confidence in the exchanges.
Still, Holloway maintained his range and backed out before Topuria could really do the most damage possible with his immense power. In return, Holloway continued chipping away at the champion, which included a heavy right hand that popped Topuria in the jaw.
Almost like he was just biding his time and waiting for the right moment to unleash his true power, Topuria came out aggressive in the third round and he led with those same devastating hooks that put Holloway on notice. As he continued pressing forward, Topuria cracked Holloway with the right hand that spelled the beginning of the end.
With Holloway wobbled, Topuria set up the fight finishing punch as he unleashed the left hand that put the Hawaiian down and out for the first time in his legendary career.
“I caught him with many punches but exactly with that right hand, I felt it,” Topuria said about the knockout. “I just saw it in his face. He started making some steps back. You don’t see that often in Max Holloway. I felt that. My brother told me from the corner keep pushing, keep putting the pressure on him, this is what I did and finally I got the knockout.”
While it obviously wasn’t the result he wanted, Holloway had nothing but praise when addressing Topuria and his performance on Saturday.
“We got ready for everything,” Holloway said. “He just landed a shot and I guess it hurt much more than I thought it did. I felt great until he did it. That’s this sport. Hats off to him.
“No excuses, I feel great. I had a great camp, no injuries. I went out here, did my thing. He was just the better man tonight. He gave me the name ‘bounce back’ so I’ll see you again, my friend.”
In back-to-back fights, Topuria has now knocked out arguably two of the greatest featherweights in UFC history as he cements his own legacy as champion. Following his win, Topuria was greeted by Alexander Volkanovski in the cage, who is presumably next in line for a rematch with hopes that he can reclaim the title.
Topuria appears more than willing to offer him that opportunity and the same goes for Diego Lopes, who weighed in as the backup fighter for UFC 308.
“I want to have both of them,” Topuria said. “I swear to god. We’re going to do it again. [Volkanovski] deserves that. If someone deserve it, it’s him.”
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