Ilya Topuria scores a third-round knockout of Max Holloway at UFC 308

Ilya Topuria promised he would defeat Max Holloway, and he delivered on that pledge with a stunning third-round knockout in the main event of UFC 308 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

For weeks, the featherweight champion bragged that he would be the first fighter to finish Holloway, and motioned for the Hawaiian to meet him in the middle of the octagon for a brawl. Holloway relented, and the two engaged in a high-stakes boxing match in which Holloway’s size was matched by Topuria’s pressure and power.

It was a matter of collision over two rounds as Holloway’s jab sliced ​​through the Spaniard’s defence. But Topuria’s speed allowed him to come forward with powerful shots that caught the attention of the BMF champion.

In the third round, Topuria (16-0) finally got the hang of it and attacked Holloway (26-8) with a right hand that put the former champion on skates. Topuria chased down and fired a left hand that put Holloway on the canvas. After a few straight blows, Topuria earned his first successful title defense against one of the greatest featherweights of all time.

“I don’t know what to say about beating a legend like Max Holloway,” Topuria said. “I couldn’t believe it. It’s the old generation and I’m representing the new generation. I hope I can be a small part of the example he set for me.”

Topuria has now knocked out Alexander Volkanovski and Holloway in back-to-back fights.

“He just fired a shot and I think it hurt a lot more than I thought it would,” Holloway said. “Hats off to him. No excuses. I just came out here and did what I had to do. He was the better man tonight.”