Ilia Topuria defends her UFC featherweight title towards Max Holloway at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi, with the American struggling his first profession knockout Failed.
Topria (16-0) fired a proper hand that dazed Holloway and adopted it up with a strong left hook that knocked the 32-year-old down within the third spherical.
Topria instantly jumped on Holloway and ended the combat with a floor pound earlier than referee Mark Goddard stopped the combat at 1:34 of the third spherical.
“To beat a legend like Max Holloway, I do not know what to say,” Topria stated.
“He is a job mannequin for this technology. I hope I generally is a small function mannequin for the brand new technology.”
Topriya stated he instantly knew victory was inside his grasp as quickly as he threw the punch.
“I caught him with my proper hand and I felt it,” Topriya stated. “I noticed it in his face. It does not occur typically with Max Holloway.”
Holloway kicks Topriya in Abu Dhabi defeat
Within the first spherical, Topria did some injury to Holloway’s lead leg early on.
Each fighters’ boxing expertise had been on show within the second spherical, with Holloway touchdown a number of exhausting punches, however Topria’s leg kicks appeared to proceed to weaken Holloway.
Then got here his two punches within the third.
“He simply hit a shot, and I feel it was much more critical than I believed,” stated Holloway, who trailed 26-8.
“Earlier than he did that, I felt nice. No excuses. I felt nice, I had a terrific coaching camp, no accidents. I went out and did my factor. He is only a higher participant.” individuals.
Topria knocks out Holloway for the primary time in his profession
That is Topriya’s first protection of the belt since he received the belt with a second-round technical knockout of Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 in early February.
Topriya’s back-to-back wins over Holloway and Volkanovski justified him being named Boxer of the Yr.
Volkanovski was in attendance and Topriya stated he would honor his reminiscence with a rematch.
“You deserve this, you’re the man,” Topriya advised Volkanovski.
Within the co-main occasion, No. 13 Khamzat Chimaev (14-0) stopped No. 3 Robert Hui with a first-round submission simply 3 minutes and 34 seconds into the match. Turk (Robert Whitaker) (27-8), after knocking him down and performing a vicious face crank.
“I’ll get the belt!” Chimaev stated after his emphatic victory.
“I like you brother, you are a legend,” the Russian advised Whittaker in his post-fight interview.
Sky Sports activities+ is formally launched and might be merged into sky tvStreaming companies Now and Sky Sports Appthis yr Sky Sports activities clients can watch greater than 50% of stay sports activities occasions without spending a dime. Learn more here.
