Ilya Topuria retained his UFC featherweight title by defeating Max Holloway at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi, handing the American his first career knockout loss.
Topuria (16-0) fired off a right hand that dazed Holloway and dropped the 32-year-old in the third round with a powerful left hook.
Topuria immediately attacked Holloway for a ground-and-pound finish before referee Mark Goddard stopped the bout at the 1:34 mark of the third round.
“I don’t know what to say to beat a legend like Max Holloway,” Topuria said.
“He was a great example for a generation. I hope he will be a little example for me for the new generation.”
Topuria said he knew immediately that victory was within his grasp with the early power punches.
“I caught him with my right hand and I felt it,” Topuria said. “I saw it on his face. You don’t see that often with Max Holloway.”
Holloway kicked Topuria during the loss in Abu Dhabi.
In the first round, Topuria did the initial damage with a leg kick to Holloway’s front leg.
The boxing skills of both fighters were on display in the second round, with Holloway landing several big shots, but it was Topuria’s leg kicks that seemed to continue to weaken Holloway.
Then came his two big punches in the third.
“I just took a shot and I think it hurt a lot more than I thought it would,” said Holloway, who fell 26-8.
“I felt good until he did it. There are no excuses. I felt good. The camp was great, there were no injuries. I went out and did my job. He was a better man.”
Topuria scored his first career knockdown on Holloway.
It was Topuria’s first title defense, having regained the belt by defeating Alexander Volkanovski by second-round technical knockout at UFC 298 in February of this year.
Topuria was named Player of the Year after back-to-back wins over Holloway and Volkanovski.
Volkanovski was present and Topuria said he would honor him with a rematch.
Topuria told Volkanovski, “You deserve it. You are the one.”
In the co-main event, No. 13 Khamzat Chimaev (14-0) stopped No. 3 Robert Whittaker (27-8) by submission in the first round in 3 minutes and 34 seconds. .
“I’m going to go get the belt!” Chimaev said after his landslide victory:
“I love you, brother. You are a legend.” the Russian player told Whittaker in a post-match interview.
Sky Sports+ has officially launched and will be integrated into Sky TV, streaming service NOW and the Sky Sports app. This will give Sky Sports customers access to over 50% more live sport at no extra cost this year. Find out more here.
