Max Holloway does the unthinkable at UFC 300.
Max Holloway has done the unthinkable by knocking out Justin Gaethje in the final seconds of their five-round BMF title bout at UFC 300.
Holloway’s performance was clinical across 25 minutes, almost completely outclassing Gaethje in every round, landing spinning back kicks at will and hurting the American scrapper on many occasions. Despite definitely being ahead on the scorecards, Holloway hollered to Gaethje to throw down when the final timer sounded. ‘Blessed’ and Gaethje scrapped like a pair of alleycats, before Holloway landed flush with an overhand which completely slumped Gaethje face first.
Holloway is the new BMF champion, and he used his post-fight interview to call out featherweight champion Ilia Topuria, as well as Islam Makhachev.
Round-by-Round
Round one began tentatively; the tension in the arena was palpable as both fighters tried to find their rhythm. Holloway rocked Gaethje with a short left hook which had ‘The Highlight’ shook. In the dying seconds, Gaethje stormed his Hawaiian foe, only to be met with a spinning back kick which nailed him on the bridge of the nose. Corner cameras in between rounds showed Gaethje’s nose broken and gushing with blood, which continued into round two.
Gaethje’s nose was causing him visible discomfort in the second round. Holloway continued to prod away, until the fight was halted by an eye poke — and a minute or two later, another eye poke, both from Holloway. Gaethje stumbles Holloway with a low kick, the champ is applying the pressure, but Holloway still seems to be pulling away with the fight.
Round three, Holloway invests in the body early – clearly setting Gaethje up for a big right hand. It’s tit for tat… until Holloway visibly rocks Gaethje and lures him into another spinning back kick to the face. Gaethje’s beginning to bite on Holloway’s feints as he ducks into another spin kick. It’s Holloway’s round as the timer sounds.
Holloway opens up Gaethje’s nose in round four, his face is straight out of a horror film. Holloway is prodding away at will, but Gaethje continues to invest in leg kicks which Holloway is absolutely no-selling. Gaethje applies the pressure late in the round, clubbing Holloway over the temple and scoring the first knockdown of Holloway’s lengthy career. It could still be Holloway’s round, however.
Round five and Holloway is apprehensive of Gaethje’s power. He lands another spin kick, and shortly afterwards puts Gaethje on skates with a flush punch to the jaw. Gaethje’s dangerous wherever the fight goes, and Holloway knows this, he commits to a short flurry against the fence before giving Gaethje space to recover. The final minute, Gaethje tries to apply the pressure but Holloway leads him onto another spinning kick. Gaethje tries a rolling thunder.
Holloway is sure to win. The Hawaiian calls to throw down as the final timer sounds. They collide, Holloway lands a clean overhand and knocks Gaethje out cold! Holloway is the new BMF champ.
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