When Ilia Topuria promised to knock out Max Holloway, many fight fans rolled their eyes. After all, Holloway had built his legacy on an ironclad chin. The Hawaiian warrior had gone toe-to-toe with the likes of Dustin Poirier, Alexander Volkanovski, and countless others, always remaining upright, even in defeat. But at UFC 308, ‘El Matador’ did what no one else could.
The fight started with both men showing their technical prowess. Holloway utilized his signature front kicks while Topuria demonstrated his crisp boxing. The champion’s pressure proved effective early, securing a takedown and landing crisp combinations that put him ahead on the scorecards. Yet Holloway, true to form, kept coming forward.
The second round saw a back-and-forth battle. Ilia Topuria’s power became increasingly evident, but Holloway’s legendary durability held up against the Georgian’s best shots. There was even a moment where Holloway, ever the showman, nearly landed a flying knee.
But the third round showed why Topuria‘s confidence wasn’t just talk. A perfectly timed uppercut rocked Holloway, and for the first time in his illustrious career, the former champion looked truly hurt. Topuria, like a shark sensing blood in the water, pounced with frightening efficiency. He followed up with more shots, and suddenly, the unthinkable had happened. Max Holloway was unconscious on the canvas!
Fight Fans Reacted To The Intense KO Of Max Holloway By Ilia Topuria
The MMA community collectively gasped as ‘Blessed,’ known for his legendary durability, fell unconscious at UFC 308 at the hands of the Georgian powerhouse. His thunderous knockout sent shockwaves through social media.
Fight fans took to social media to showcase their reactions to this event. Some fans took the defeat particularly hard. Others hesitantly accepted that Ilia Topuria was a force to be reckoned with at 145 pounds. Here are some of the reactions from fight fans:
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These reactions perfectly summed up the conflicting emotions of watching a rising star achieve greatness at the expense of a beloved veteran. Fans know this feeling very well that a fighter proving himself the best in the world means another one has to go down, and tonight, that was Max Holloway!
Also Read: “Hate To See” – Dana White Not A Fan Of Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway Fight At UFC 308
