Andreas Hale, ESPN
Ilia Topuria promised he would knock out Max Holloway, and he fulfilled that pledge with a shocking third-round knockout in the principle occasion of UFC 308 at Etihad Enviornment in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
For weeks, the Spaniard boasted that he could be the primary fighter to complete Holloway and beckoned for the Hawaiian to satisfy him within the heart of the Octagon for a brawl. Holloway relented, and the 2 engaged in a high-stakes boxing match the place Holloway’s quantity was matched by Topuria’s strain and energy.
It was a nip-and-tuck affair via two rounds as Holloway’s jab punctured Topuria’s protection. However Topuria’s velocity allowed him to roll in with energy photographs that acquired the BMF champion’s consideration.
Within the third spherical, Topuria (16-0) lastly acquired via and blasted Holloway (26-8) with a proper hand that put the previous champion on skates. Topuria gave chase and fired a blistering left hand that put Holloway on the canvas. A couple of follow-up strikes later and Topuria secured his first profitable title protection in opposition to one of many best featherweights of all time.
“I do not know what to say beating a legend like Max Hollway,” Topuria mentioned. “I could not imagine it. He’s the previous technology and I characterize the brand new technology. I hope I will probably be a small portion of the instance he set for me.”
Topuria has now knocked out Alexander Volkanovski and Holloway in consecutive fights.
“He simply landed a shot and I assume it damage far more than I assumed it did,” Holloway mentioned. “Hats off to him. No excuses. I went out right here and did my factor. He was simply the higher man tonight.”
