UFC 308: Ilia Topuria becomes first fighter to knock uut Max Holloway

In a stunning display of skill and tenacity, Ilia Topuria successfully defended his featherweight title at UFC 308 by knocking out Max Holloway in the third round, making history as the first fighter to achieve this feat against the former champion.

The event took place at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE, and was held earlier in the day for viewers in the United States due to the time difference.

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. Although he may not have matched Holloway in reach and size, Topuria more than compensated with a balanced and calculated approach to the fight.

His confidence shone through, particularly when he playfully engaged Holloway by pointing to the center of the octagon, inviting him to trade blows.

The fight commenced with the audience chanting Topuria's name, creating an electrifying atmosphere. Both fighters exchanged strikes as they sought to find their rhythm. In the closing seconds of the first round, Topuria managed to take Holloway to the ground but failed to capitalize on the position.

In 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).

Topuria, however, countered effectively, connecting with 43% of his strikes (50 of 115).

The decisive moment came in the third round when Topuria landed a powerful right hand that stunned Holloway. Seizing the opportunity, he followed up with a left hook that sent Holloway crashing to the mat.

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 the win, Ilia Topuria solidified his status as a formidable champion in the featherweight division, leaving fans eager to see what comes next for this rising star.

Ilia Topuria, speaking to an international sports broadcaster, expressed deep gratitude, saying, "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 detailed 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."

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 spoke to international sports broadcaster after his 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 continued, "I felt great coming into this fight. That’s just the nature of the sport; hats off to him."

Holloway made sure to emphasize his respect for Topuria: "No excuses here. I had a great camp, no injuries—he was simply the better man tonight."

Concluding on a positive note, he added, "I'll see you again, my friend."