Ilia Topuria achieved a remarkable milestone at UFC 308, knocking out Max Holloway in the third round to retain his featherweight title and becoming the first fighter to ever accomplish this feat against the former champion.
The event unfolded at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE, and was broadcast earlier in the day for viewers in the United States due to time zone differences.
With this victory, Topuria improved his professional record to an impressive 16-0-0, with six of those wins coming by way of (T)KO. Despite not matching Holloway in reach and size, Topuria’s balanced and calculated fighting style proved effective.
Topuria exuded confidence throughout the bout, even playfully engaging Holloway by pointing to the center of the octagon, inviting him to trade blows.
The fight began with an electrifying atmosphere, as fans chanted Topuria’s name. Both fighters exchanged strikes, trying to find their rhythm. In the closing seconds of the first round, Topuria took Holloway to the ground but couldn’t capitalize on the position.
During the second round, Holloway initially gained the upper hand in their boxing exchanges, landing significant strikes with a 35% accuracy rate (68 of 192 attempts). However, Topuria countered effectively, connecting with 43% of his strikes (50 of 115).
The decisive moment arrived in the third round when Topuria landed a powerful right hand that stunned Holloway. Seizing the moment, he followed up with a left hook that sent Holloway crashing to the canvas. This moment not only secured Topuria’s victory but also etched his name in UFC history as the first fighter to knock out the legendary Max Holloway.
With this win, Ilia Topuria has solidified his status as a formidable champion in the featherweight division, leaving fans eager to see what lies ahead for this rising star.
In a post-fight interview with an international sports broadcaster, Topuria expressed his gratitude, stating, “First and foremost, I want to thank God—everything belongs to Him.” Reflecting on his victory, he shared, “I can hardly believe I defeated a legend like Max Holloway. He has been a tremendous inspiration for me and serves as a great example for the new generation I represent.”
Topuria outlined his strategy during the fight: “I landed several punches, but it was that right hand that really changed things. I could see the impact on his face as he took a step back, which you don’t see often. My brother from the corner urged me to keep pushing and applying pressure, and that’s what I did until I achieved the knockout.”
MUST READ:
https://flarenews.pk/2024/10/27/president-pm-pledge-unwavering-support-for-kashmir-cause/
When asked about his future plans, he stated, “I want to face both Diego Lopes and Alexander Volkanovski next, but for now, I don’t want to fight anyone.” He concluded by celebrating his support system: “I have a beautiful family and feel incredibly blessed. I can’t wait to leave this cage and celebrate with my loved ones.”
Max Holloway also spoke to the media after the fight, reflecting on his performance: “I was prepared for everything he threw at me, but that shot hurt a lot more than I anticipated.” He added, “I felt great coming into this fight. That’s just the nature of the sport; hats off to him.”
Holloway emphasized his respect for Topuria, stating, “No excuses here. I had a great camp, no injuries—he was simply the better man tonight.” He concluded on a positive note, saying, “I’ll see you again, my friend.”
