Max Holloway
"Blessed"Career Averages
Win Methods (23)
Loss Methods (9)
Fight History
Expert Picks (20)
AJ thinks Conor McGregor's best chance is early in the first two rounds, but expects Max Holloway to be powerful at welterweight and doubts McGregor's timing after the layoff. He believes Holloway is more likely to win as the fight continues, and suggests Holloway by KO under 3.5 rounds at +125. He also notes that if McGregor wins, it would likely be a KO in round one or two.
AJ picks Max Holloway over Conor McGregor, citing McGregor's long layoff, partying, and injury history. He believes Holloway's activity, durability, and cardio will be decisive, and expects a later-stage TKO as McGregor fades. AJ notes that McGregor's best performances were at lower weights and that his 170-pound cardio has been questionable.
AJ picks Max Holloway to win, citing McGregor's five-year layoff, age (37), and the fact that Holloway is in-season and has superior cardio and durability. He believes McGregor will fade after the first round and that Holloway's volume and body work will lead to a late stoppage. AJ also notes that McGregor's power is his only path, but Holloway's mobility and chin make that unlikely.
AJ acknowledges the temptation to pick McGregor due to his aura and recent upsets, but ultimately sides with Holloway. He notes Holloway's proven chin at 170 and that he only loses when held down all fight, while McGregor has been out for over 4 years. He believes Holloway's durability and activity give him the edge.
AJ picks Max Holloway by knockout in the second or third round. He believes Holloway's pace, cardio, and combination punching will overwhelm McGregor, who is returning after a five-year layoff and a serious leg injury. He notes Holloway's recent wins over top competition and expects McGregor to fade after the first round.
AJ picks Max Holloway to win, likely by knockout. He notes Holloway is minus 210 and thinks McGregor's long layoff makes a decision win unlikely. He suggests Holloway by KO in rounds 2 or 3 as prop bets, but doesn't love the main event betting lines overall.
Angelo picks Max Holloway confidently, stating Conor McGregor has no chance. He cites McGregor's five-year layoff, age (38), loss of speed and timing, and never having good cardio. He compares McGregor's leg break to Anderson Silva and Chris Weidman's similar injuries leading to decline. He believes Holloway will respect McGregor early but take over and finish him.
Angelo believes Max Holloway is better everywhere: striking, grappling, cardio, fight IQ. He notes Conor is old, slow, rusty, and hasn't fought in 5 years, with no cardio even in his prime. He expects Holloway to finish McGregor.
Big Brady is leaning towards Max Holloway but is very hesitant due to the suspicious line movement and McGregor's early KO threat. He notes Holloway's elite durability and cardio, but acknowledges his chin was cracked by Topuria. He gives McGregor a 25% chance, mostly via round 1 KO, and is waiting to see if Holloway's odds drop further before betting.
Big Brady picks Max Holloway, citing Conor McGregor's five-year layoff, injury, and one win in the last decade. He notes Holloway's durability (most significant strikes absorbed) and believes McGregor's only chance is an early KO, but Holloway will weather the storm and finish him in rounds 2-4. He doubts McGregor has 15 good minutes in him.
Big Brady is heavily backing Max Holloway, taking the -5.5 point spread at -150 for 3 units. He believes Conor McGregor's five-year layoff, leg injury, and partying lifestyle leave him with only a couple minutes of explosiveness. He expects Holloway to drown McGregor in deep waters and finish him in rounds 2-3, as McGregor cannot win more than one round. He also has 5 units on the fight not going to decision across two parlays, calling a McGregor decision a 'rigged outcome.'
Big Brady picks Max Holloway to win by second-round knockout. He is surprised by the betting line and money coming in on McGregor, citing McGregor's one win in nine years and five-year layoff. He acknowledges McGregor's early power but believes Holloway's volume and pressure will break him. He thinks Holloway will finish McGregor in the second round.
Cody picks Max Holloway, emphasizing McGregor's inactivity, age (38), leg injury, and lack of durability. He believes Holloway's volume, cardio, and recent elite competition give him a clear edge. He expects Holloway to win by TKO and thinks the fight doesn't go the distance.
Daniel Levi picks Max Holloway to finish Conor McGregor, citing McGregor's five-year layoff, leg break, and history of fading in fights. He notes that McGregor's best chance is an early knockout, but Holloway's durability and volume will overwhelm him as the fight progresses. Levi references Holloway's slow starts but believes he can weather the early storm and take over.
Jacob picks Conor McGregor for sentimental reasons, acknowledging it's unlikely. He believes McGregor still has power and accuracy, and that Holloway's chin has shown cracks. He thinks if McGregor lands his left hand early, he could knock Holloway out. However, he admits McGregor's cardio is a major issue and that Holloway should win. He says to pick Max but bet Max, but he's sticking with his boy.
Lucrative James picks Max Holloway to win via knockout, likely in rounds 2 or 3. He acknowledges Conor McGregor's puncher's chance early but believes Holloway's durability, cardio, and five-round experience will overwhelm McGregor, who has been inactive and suffered a severe leg injury. He notes that McGregor's power fades after round one and that Holloway has faced much tougher competition recently.
The host is confident in Holloway winning by TKO, citing McGregor's long layoff, ring rust, likely decline in speed, and the damage he has done to his body. He expects Holloway's volume and pressure to drown McGregor in the middle rounds, and recommends waiting for a better line on Holloway as McGregor money comes in.
The host recalls that McGregor used grappling to edge out the first fight in 2013, but notes Holloway has since transcended to a much higher level. He expects Holloway's high pace, volume, and pressure to drown McGregor, leading to a second, third, or fourth round TKO stoppage.
Paul picks Max Holloway citing activity, durability, and McGregor's long layoff and distractions. He notes Holloway's volume and cardio advantages, and that McGregor's best days are behind him. He mentions he already placed a small bet on Holloway and expects the line to move further.
The MMA Guru picks Max Holloway to win by TKO in the third or fourth round. He doubts McGregor's ability to return after five years off and believes Holloway's improved striking and cardio will be decisive. He predicts McGregor will start strong but fade, and Holloway will put him away with body shots and combinations against the cage.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Holloway | 0 | 26 of 45 | 57% | 73 of 92 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:36 |
| Charles Oliveira | 0 | 50 of 66 | 75% | 110 of 137 | 5 of 13 | 38% | 4 | 0 | 20:49 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Holloway | 0 | 8 of 13 | 61% | 11 of 16 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Charles Oliveira | 0 | 10 of 14 | 71% | 19 of 25 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 2 | 0 | 4:30 | |
| 2 | Max Holloway | 0 | 5 of 7 | 71% | 16 of 18 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Charles Oliveira | 0 | 13 of 15 | 86% | 24 of 26 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 2 | 0 | 4:40 | |
| 3 | Max Holloway | 0 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 10 of 13 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Charles Oliveira | 0 | 9 of 14 | 64% | 18 of 23 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 4:29 | |
| 4 | Max Holloway | 0 | 6 of 11 | 54% | 8 of 13 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Charles Oliveira | 0 | 9 of 11 | 81% | 25 of 36 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 4:16 | |
| 5 | Max Holloway | 0 | 5 of 9 | 55% | 28 of 32 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:36 |
| Charles Oliveira | 0 | 9 of 12 | 75% | 24 of 27 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 2:54 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Holloway | 26 of 45 | 57% | 18 of 36 | 6 of 7 | 2 of 2 | 25 of 44 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Charles Oliveira | 50 of 66 | 75% | 37 of 51 | 7 of 9 | 6 of 6 | 24 of 37 | 2 of 2 | 24 of 27 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Holloway | 8 of 13 | 61% | 5 of 10 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 8 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Charles Oliveira | 10 of 14 | 71% | 7 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 | 6 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 5 | |
| 2 | Max Holloway | 5 of 7 | 71% | 3 of 4 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Charles Oliveira | 13 of 15 | 86% | 11 of 13 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 11 of 11 | |
| 3 | Max Holloway | 2 of 5 | 40% | 1 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Charles Oliveira | 9 of 14 | 64% | 7 of 10 | 1 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 6 | |
| 4 | Max Holloway | 6 of 11 | 54% | 6 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Charles Oliveira | 9 of 11 | 81% | 6 of 8 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 5 | |
| 5 | Max Holloway | 5 of 9 | 55% | 3 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Charles Oliveira | 9 of 12 | 75% | 6 of 9 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Expert Picks (11)
Angelo acknowledges that Charles has a clear grappling advantage and expects him to mix in takedowns to keep Max guessing, opening up his striking. He notes Max's all-time great volume and takedown defense, but believes the threat of takedowns will disrupt Max's rhythm. He calls it a slight lean, emphasizing that picks can change closer to the event.
Big Brady picks Max Holloway over Charles Oliveira for the BMF belt. He acknowledges Holloway's durability may be declining after the Topuria KO and being hurt by Poirier, but still trusts it more than Oliveira's, who has been finished nine times and gets hurt in every fight. Holloway has good takedown defense and cardio. Brady expects Holloway to stuff takedowns, put a pace on Oliveira, hurt him, and finish by third-round KO. He also mentions an Underdog prop: Holloway under 94.5 significant strikes.
Cody agrees with Paul, picking Holloway due to consistency, better boxing, and takedown defense. He mentions Holloway's durability and power at 155, and notes that Oliveira is dangerous but Holloway is the better all-around fighter. He predicts a first or second round knockout or a decision win.
Connor picks Max Holloway, citing Holloway's back-foot counterpunching and ability to control space, which neutralizes Oliveira's pressure. He notes Holloway's body punching from their first fight and his improved defensive wrestling, comparing the matchup to Islam Makhachev's win over Oliveira. Connor acknowledges Oliveira's toughness but believes Holloway's style is a nightmare for him.
Daniel Vreeland favors Max Holloway due to his elite cardio, volume striking, and historical preference in this matchup. He notes that Holloway sets significant strike records and has a proven track record, though he acknowledges Oliveira's dangerous submission threat and opportunistic finishing ability. Vreeland mentions that both fighters have been dropped recently, but he trusts Holloway's output down the stretch.
Holloway is the biggest bet of the year at 5 units. The host believes Holloway's superior striking volume (lands more than double the strikes per minute) and 83% takedown defense will neutralize Oliveira's grappling. He expects Oliveira to be competitive early but fade, with Holloway pulling away in later rounds. The host is surprised Holloway is not a bigger favorite, having placed the bet at 1.50 odds a week ago.
Lucrative James picks Max Holloway because he believes Holloway is the far superior striker with better distance control and volume. He notes that Oliveira's path to victory relies on hurting Holloway and jumping on a submission, but considers that a low-probability outcome. James also highlights Holloway's increased power at lightweight and his stylistic adaptation to fighting on the outside, while Oliveira's durability issues and tendency to get hurt make him vulnerable. He sees Holloway winning by TKO or decision, with the fight likely ending inside the distance.
Holloway should stop Oliveira's grappling and outwork him on the feet with volume. Oliveira needs a kick-heavy game to slow Holloway, but Holloway's jab and pressure will win rounds. The fight likely goes to decision, but the line is too high; Holloway should be closer to -150.
Paul picks Max Holloway, citing his superior boxing, technical abilities, and takedown defense. He notes that Holloway's volume and power at 155 lbs are key, and that Oliveira is hittable. He acknowledges Oliveira's danger but believes Holloway wins more often than not, possibly by knockout or accumulation of strikes.
The MMA Guru picks Charles Oliveira, believing he will take Holloway's shots and eventually submit him. He argues Oliveira has better wins (e.g., Poirier in his prime, Gaethje) and improved wrestling. He predicts a rear-naked choke in round two, citing Oliveira's power and grappling advantage.
Zane agrees with Connor, picking Max Holloway. He emphasizes Holloway's body punching and back-foot countering as key, and notes that Oliveira struggles against fighters who can pressure him off the back foot, as seen in the Makhachev fight. Zane also mentions Holloway's excellent takedown defense, though he is curious to see it tested against Oliveira.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Holloway | 1 | 198 of 375 | 52% | 201 of 378 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:32 |
| Dustin Poirier | 1 | 109 of 255 | 42% | 109 of 255 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:12 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Holloway | 1 | 26 of 64 | 40% | 26 of 64 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
| Dustin Poirier | 0 | 16 of 32 | 50% | 16 of 32 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Max Holloway | 0 | 44 of 67 | 65% | 47 of 70 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:24 |
| Dustin Poirier | 1 | 25 of 43 | 58% | 25 of 43 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:12 | |
| 3 | Max Holloway | 0 | 38 of 61 | 62% | 38 of 61 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Dustin Poirier | 0 | 21 of 49 | 42% | 21 of 49 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 4 | Max Holloway | 0 | 44 of 84 | 52% | 44 of 84 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Dustin Poirier | 0 | 22 of 68 | 32% | 22 of 68 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 5 | Max Holloway | 0 | 46 of 99 | 46% | 46 of 99 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Dustin Poirier | 0 | 25 of 63 | 39% | 25 of 63 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Holloway | 198 of 375 | 52% | 103 of 253 | 64 of 80 | 31 of 42 | 182 of 351 | 0 of 1 | 16 of 23 |
| Dustin Poirier | 109 of 255 | 42% | 94 of 235 | 6 of 10 | 9 of 10 | 102 of 243 | 3 of 6 | 4 of 6 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Holloway | 26 of 64 | 40% | 9 of 39 | 11 of 16 | 6 of 9 | 23 of 57 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 7 |
| Dustin Poirier | 16 of 32 | 50% | 12 of 28 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 3 | 16 of 32 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Max Holloway | 44 of 67 | 65% | 31 of 52 | 11 of 12 | 2 of 3 | 31 of 51 | 0 of 0 | 13 of 16 |
| Dustin Poirier | 25 of 43 | 58% | 21 of 36 | 3 of 5 | 1 of 2 | 19 of 34 | 2 of 3 | 4 of 6 | |
| 3 | Max Holloway | 38 of 61 | 62% | 18 of 36 | 9 of 12 | 11 of 13 | 38 of 61 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Dustin Poirier | 21 of 49 | 42% | 15 of 41 | 2 of 4 | 4 of 4 | 21 of 49 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Max Holloway | 44 of 84 | 52% | 23 of 57 | 15 of 18 | 6 of 9 | 44 of 84 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Dustin Poirier | 22 of 68 | 32% | 21 of 67 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 22 of 67 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Max Holloway | 46 of 99 | 46% | 22 of 69 | 18 of 22 | 6 of 8 | 46 of 98 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Dustin Poirier | 25 of 63 | 39% | 25 of 63 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 24 of 61 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Expert Picks (6)
Angelo picks Max Holloway, but with low confidence. He notes that Dustin is the better all-around fighter but may be pressured by his retirement fight and home crowd, leading him to brawl instead of using his full skillset. He expects Holloway's volume striking to win a decision. He will not bet on this fight.
Big Brady leans Max Holloway, citing Holloway's improvement at lightweight and youth (33 vs 36). He worries about Holloway's chin after his first KO but believes Holloway's volume will be key. He notes Poirier's retirement and hometown advantage could sway a close decision, so he's not betting.
Connor believes Holloway has evolved into a more complete striker since their last fight, with improved footwork, counterpunching, and kicking game. He thinks Holloway was close to winning the second fight and that his cleaner combinations and pressure can overcome Poirier's power if he survives the turning points. He also notes Poirier's retirement talk as a potential factor that could affect his focus.
The host notes Poirier is up 2-0 in the series and believes his power punching approach will be more effective than Holloway's volume, referencing the second matchup where Poirier won 4-1 on scorecards. He expects Poirier to repeat that and win on the scorecards.
The MMA Guru picks Max Holloway over Dustin Poirier, predicting a decision win. He cites Holloway's superior striking and the fact that Poirier is retiring after this fight, which may affect his intensity. The Guru also notes that Holloway nearly won their second fight and is now properly prepared at lightweight, unlike the short-notice rematch. He believes Poirier's striking has regressed due to focusing on takedown defense, while Holloway's striking remains sharp. He expects a competitive fight but sees Holloway as a step ahead.
Zane agrees with Connor that Holloway can win, citing Holloway's improved back-foot game and the fact that he was close in the second fight. He also points to Poirier's age and potential emotional state in his retirement fight as reasons Holloway might finally get the win. However, he expresses nervousness about picking against the trend of the first two fights.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ilia Topuria | 1 | 75 of 144 | 52% | 78 of 147 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:45 |
| Max Holloway | 0 | 79 of 204 | 38% | 84 of 209 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ilia Topuria | 0 | 22 of 47 | 46% | 24 of 49 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:41 |
| Max Holloway | 0 | 30 of 75 | 40% | 35 of 80 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Ilia Topuria | 0 | 32 of 62 | 51% | 32 of 62 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Max Holloway | 0 | 35 of 102 | 34% | 35 of 102 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Ilia Topuria | 1 | 21 of 35 | 60% | 22 of 36 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
| Max Holloway | 0 | 14 of 27 | 51% | 14 of 27 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ilia Topuria | 75 of 144 | 52% | 49 of 114 | 11 of 14 | 15 of 16 | 71 of 140 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 4 |
| Max Holloway | 79 of 204 | 38% | 47 of 151 | 13 of 30 | 19 of 23 | 79 of 204 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ilia Topuria | 22 of 47 | 46% | 13 of 38 | 3 of 3 | 6 of 6 | 22 of 47 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Max Holloway | 30 of 75 | 40% | 17 of 56 | 7 of 12 | 6 of 7 | 30 of 75 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Ilia Topuria | 32 of 62 | 51% | 20 of 47 | 5 of 7 | 7 of 8 | 32 of 62 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Max Holloway | 35 of 102 | 34% | 23 of 79 | 3 of 13 | 9 of 10 | 35 of 102 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Ilia Topuria | 21 of 35 | 60% | 16 of 29 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 17 of 31 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 4 |
| Max Holloway | 14 of 27 | 51% | 7 of 16 | 3 of 5 | 4 of 6 | 14 of 27 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Topuria (-230), Holloway (+190)
Round 1
One of the best fights the UFC could possibly make serves as the main attraction, and it is one for all the marbles. Topuria (15-0, 7-0 UFC) puts his featherweight strap and undefeated record on the line against former champ Holloway (26-7, 22-7 UFC), and excitement is at a fever pitch. No more introductions are needed. Referee Marc Goddard brings the gladiators to the center of the Octagon to touch gloves, and they do just that. It’s on with the show. Topuria stands in the middle of the cage and points to the ground, and Holloway motions a matador gesture to counter him. They do not brawl it out immediately. Topuria advances calmly instead, measuring the former champ and blocking a head kick and a few jabs. Topuria goes over the top with a right hand that misses the mark, and a second nearly lands as well. Holloway keeps active with jabs and body kicks, and he swipes out with a right hook that misses the mark. Topuria puts everything he has into a huge right hand, and Holloway is wise to it and pecks at him with sharp jabs. Topuria shoots in and lifts “Blessed” off his feet, driving him to the canvas with a solid double. Holloway wall-walks, and Topuria forced a mat return. Holloway stands once more and breaks away, and he checks a low kick and advances with a right hand. Topuria gives him a right to think about, but Holloway does not let him off the hook and pegs him with a pair of punches. Topuria chops at the front leg a few times, and he tags Holloway with a right hand. Holloway skirts out of the way before absorbing more than a few, and Topuria works his front leg with another hard kick. Holloway snaps out a jab, marking up Topuria’s face and coming up short with a front kick. Topuria reaches his target with a jab, and Holloway prods out with low kicks. Topuria tries to swing it out, and Holloway is composed enough to evade the blows and get off a long right hand on the way out. Holloway splits the guard with a front kick and has his guard high to defend the counters, and his head kick bounces off the guard. Holloway peppers his opponent with a low kick and jabs, and he follows a jab with a two. Topuria shakes it off and walks into a jab that makes him reset, and he dodges a spinning back kick in time. Topuria throws hammers, and he knocks an off-balance Holloway down to the mat in what was more of a slip or a trip than a clean strike, and the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Round 2
The featherweights clap hands to get started again, and Holloway fights immediately behind his jab. Topuria comes up short with a low kick and a right hand, and he gets caught on the way in with a jab. Holloway tags the champ with a clean right, and he trades low kicks with his opponent. Holloway goes to the head and body with jabs, and he takes one on the nose to back him away. Topuria wings power punches that hit air, but his calf kick finds its mark. Topuria clubs Holloway on the side of the head with winging punches, and he chains a calf kick after it. Topuria gets in a right hand and has a leg kick checked, and Holloway snaps his head back with a jab. Holloway steps in with a knee behind a few jabs, and he stomps at the front knee of his adversary. Topuria drills Holloway in the chin with a left hand, and he goes after the front leg with a kick again. Topuria’s punches connect cleanly on the jaw of the Hawaiian, who shows him what time it is with a left hook and a head kick on the other side. Topuria loads up on power strikes, and Holloway’s jabs are disrupting him just enough so that he does not get them full blast. Holloway dips a huge hook and jabs away, and he reaches out with a body shot. Topuria answers in kind, and he rolls with a right hook. Holloway kicks the side as he fires off jabs, and he checks a kick and kicks his man back. Holloway knees the side as Topuria barrels down on him, and he nails the champ with a short left and a power right. Topuria responds with a right hand, and he is met with multiple low kicks in response. Chants for both fighters are deafening in the building, and Holloway chains a number of punches together to decent effect. Topuria kicks the front leg and gets met with a body kick, and he eats a right hand when throwing one. Holloway scores a spinning back kick to the body, and Topuria shrugs at him before the round comes to a close.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Topuria
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Topuria
Round 3
It’s back to more face-punching as they resume again, and Holloway uses his punches to set up two low kicks and a third up high. Topuria walks through a leg kick to land a right on the chin, and Holloway scores a left hand as Topuria points at him. Topuria deploys a powerful leg kick, and a second one is met with long punches from the former champ. Holloway stomps at his foe’s front leg a few times, and Topuria does not lie it. Topuria winds up with a huge right hand, knocking the former champ back and stunning him. Holloway shells up and defends himself from an onslaught, and he is still rocked even as he counters and circles away. Topuria is on top of him ready to finish the job, further backing Holloway up to the wall and letting loose with a bombardment of punches. A ferocious left hand in the midst of a fierce flurry knocks Holloway down to the ground, and Topuria has achieved something no featherweight has ever accomplished. Topuria lowers himself down to blast Holloway with a number of hammerfists, and Holloway’s lights go out and get switched back on from the stream of blows. Goddard sees that Holloway has had enough and waves the fight off, and Topuria wanders away and motions sipping at tea. Incredible! Topuria has done the impossible, knocking out a fighter who had never before been stopped with strikes. Topuria is still undefeated, having notched back-to-back finishes that will stack up among the greatest ever performed in the division. Topuria leaps out of the cage to embrace anyone he can find, including UFC chief exec Hunter Campbell and television host Steve Harvey. As he returns to the cage, he receives a rose for his effort. Topuria welcomes all challengers, including former champion Alexander Volkanovski, who takes the cage to greet him. Topuria says he does not want to fight anyone right now, and instead wants to hug Volkanovski. He does just that. Full of love, Topuria wants to celebrate this victory with his family and team. It remains to be seen who is next for the champion, who cements himself as a star and one of the greats in his weight class because of this spectacular triumph. No matter who is next for "El Matador," we will be here for it. We hope you are too.
The Official Result
Ilia Topuria def. Max Holloway R3 1:34 via KO (Punches)
Expert Picks (11)
Angelo picks Ilia Topuria as the final leg of his villain parlay with a full unit bet, but admits he would be happy to lose the bet if Max wins. He praises Topuria's speed, power, and wrestling entries, and believes he is the next generation of fighter. He thinks Topuria will be too fast and diverse for Max, but acknowledges Max's legendary striking and durability.
Big Brady thinks this is a very close fight. He believes Topuria will have early success but that Holloway's durability, cardio, and pace will take over in the later rounds. He notes that Holloway has never been knocked out and has absorbed the most significant strikes in UFC history, so he cannot pick anyone to knock him out. He predicts a split decision win for Holloway.
Cody picks Max Holloway as a plus 200 underdog, citing Holloway's unparalleled volume and pace, which he believes will overwhelm Topuria in the later rounds. He notes that Topuria has been outlanded in most of his fights before landing a knockout, and that Holloway has never been knocked out. Cody also mentions that Topuria's cardio slowed in the fifth round against Josh Emmett, and that Holloway's takedown defense is elite. He sprinkles on Holloway by KO in rounds 4 and 5 at long odds.
Connor picks Topuria, citing his relentless pressure and power advantage. He notes that Max Holloway, while still capable of greatness, has shown signs of age and accumulated damage, and his recent win over Gaethje was more a reflection of Gaethje's poor performance. Connor believes Topuria's pressure and power will be too much for Holloway, especially if Holloway tries to fight on the back foot.
Daniel Vreeland picks Ilia Topuria to win, citing Topuria's power edge, durability, and grappling upside. He notes that Max Holloway has taken a lot of damage over his career and that Topuria's upward trajectory and maturity in the octagon give him the advantage. Vreeland also mentions that Topuria's boxing defense is superior and that he has the ability to finish Holloway, possibly becoming the first to knock him out. He is not concerned about Holloway's late-round cardio narrative, pointing to Topuria's performance against Josh Emmett in round five.
Lucrative James picks Ilia Topuria to win, citing Topuria's massive power advantage and grappling upside. He notes that Topuria can close distance, pressure Holloway against the cage, and land heavy shots, and also has submission threats. He acknowledges Holloway's elite chin and takedown defense but believes Topuria's speed and clinical punching will be too much. He predicts a KO or decision win for Topuria.
Holloway can take Topuria's best shot and then come back with a volume-heavy approach that Topuria cannot keep up with. Topuria had great cardio against Josh Emmett but will not have that luxury against Holloway, who gets stronger in deep waters. Holloway will turn up the pressure in championship rounds and get a TKO finish in the fourth or fifth round.
Paul also picks Max Holloway, emphasizing that the fight is closer to 50-50 than the odds suggest. He argues that Topuria's power is real but he gets outlanded in most fights before landing a kill shot, and that Holloway's durability and volume will be key. Paul points out that Topuria's wins over Volk and Emmett came against opponents with durability issues, and that Holloway's experience and pace will expose Topuria. He also mentions that Topuria's reluctance to fight Holloway initially suggests doubt.
The Guru picks Ilia Topuria to win by decision, citing Topuria's superior boxing and power as the prototype to beat Max Holloway. He notes that Holloway struggles against shorter opponents, as seen in the Volk trilogy, and that Topuria's low kicks and ability to cut Holloway will be key. He also mentions Holloway's recent weight cut from lightweight and scar tissue as disadvantages. The Guru predicts Topuria will hurt Holloway early, open a cut, and survive a late rally to win a damage-based decision.
Zane picks Topuria, agreeing with Connor that Topuria's pressure and power are key. He notes that Holloway's recent performances have been less assertive and that Topuria's ability to counter the jab and walk opponents down will be problematic for Holloway. Zane also mentions that Holloway's best chance is to pressure Topuria, but he's not sure Holloway will do that.
Zane picked Topuria going into the fight, citing his power and ability to press and stay on the front foot, while Holloway's willingness to work the back foot and counter would be too big a hill to climb. He noted that Holloway's height, length, and diversity of skills gave Topuria trouble early, but Topuria's huge power and deadly pocket countering were the equalizer. Zane emphasized that Holloway has never been a big power puncher and could not match Topuria's power, and that Holloway's style of taking one to give three eventually caught up to him.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Holloway | 0 | 103 of 199 | 51% | 103 of 199 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Justin Gaethje | 1 | 181 of 309 | 58% | 181 of 309 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Holloway | 0 | 12 of 26 | 46% | 12 of 26 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Justin Gaethje | 0 | 25 of 39 | 64% | 25 of 39 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Max Holloway | 0 | 18 of 26 | 69% | 18 of 26 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Justin Gaethje | 0 | 30 of 53 | 56% | 30 of 53 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Max Holloway | 0 | 20 of 38 | 52% | 20 of 38 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Justin Gaethje | 0 | 29 of 53 | 54% | 29 of 53 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 4 | Max Holloway | 0 | 35 of 60 | 58% | 35 of 60 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Justin Gaethje | 0 | 35 of 61 | 57% | 35 of 61 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 5 | Max Holloway | 0 | 18 of 49 | 36% | 18 of 49 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Justin Gaethje | 1 | 62 of 103 | 60% | 62 of 103 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Holloway | 103 of 199 | 51% | 44 of 121 | 26 of 42 | 33 of 36 | 103 of 199 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Justin Gaethje | 181 of 309 | 58% | 62 of 149 | 62 of 91 | 57 of 69 | 181 of 308 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Holloway | 12 of 26 | 46% | 4 of 15 | 2 of 4 | 6 of 7 | 12 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Justin Gaethje | 25 of 39 | 64% | 10 of 18 | 5 of 10 | 10 of 11 | 25 of 39 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Max Holloway | 18 of 26 | 69% | 6 of 13 | 3 of 4 | 9 of 9 | 18 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Justin Gaethje | 30 of 53 | 56% | 4 of 20 | 13 of 17 | 13 of 16 | 30 of 53 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Max Holloway | 20 of 38 | 52% | 5 of 18 | 9 of 14 | 6 of 6 | 20 of 38 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Justin Gaethje | 29 of 53 | 54% | 6 of 24 | 13 of 18 | 10 of 11 | 29 of 53 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Max Holloway | 35 of 60 | 58% | 18 of 38 | 11 of 16 | 6 of 6 | 35 of 60 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Justin Gaethje | 35 of 61 | 57% | 15 of 29 | 9 of 19 | 11 of 13 | 35 of 61 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Max Holloway | 18 of 49 | 36% | 11 of 37 | 1 of 4 | 6 of 8 | 18 of 49 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Justin Gaethje | 62 of 103 | 60% | 27 of 58 | 22 of 27 | 13 of 18 | 62 of 102 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Gaethje (-175), Holloway (+145)
Round 1
Whether you believe the “BMF” title should matter or not, what bestowing that trophy on this next fight did was extend it to five rounds, and everyone should be thankful. It’s Justin Gaethje (25-4, 8-4 UFC) vs. Max Holloway (25-7, 21-7 UFC) in what many have pegged as a potential “Fight of the Year” entry. Nothing more needs to be said, other than that the lightweights receive instructions from referee Marc Goddard and that they touch gloves before fireworks ensue. Buckle up. The first strike likely of many comes from Holloway, who jabs the midsection and kicks it with his opposite leg. Gaethje bears down on him and loads up on an overhand right, missing the Hawaiian by inches. Gaethje sits down on a leg kick, and Holloway flicks out jabs to the body and head. Holloway pops a low kick on the thigh, and Gaethje hammers one back. Holloway sits down on a low kick and drives forward launching uppercuts. Gaethje slips back and knocks Holloway to his seat with a vicious calf kick. Holloway climbs back up without issue and bites on a feint from the BMF beltholder. Holloway strides in and lances a left hand down the middle, and Gaethje unloads and fires two big hooks. Holloway scores a clean uppercut, and he meets Gaethje in the middle and cracks him with another uppercut and a strong left hook. Gaethje keeps a solid poker face but he had his bell run in the exchange, and Holloway does not draw himself into a reckless exchange and instead measures with a front kick. Holloway prods out a left hand to intercept an advancing Gaethje, and he ignores a leg kick to mark up Gaethje’s nose. Chants for Holloway boom inside of the T-Mobile Arena, and he pokes out a leg kick and stays moving and rarely stays in the same place to not put himself in harm’s way. Holloway checks a kick, and he tosses out a half-hearted high kick. Gaethje responds with one that bounces off the shoulder, and Holloway nods at him. Holloway just misses on an uppercut, and he chips at the front leg with two kicks to the knee. Holloway checks another kick and unleashes a left and a stern right hand, and Gaethje chambers and fire a massive right hand that skims past the cheek. Holloway lunges forward with a right hand to the body, and Gaethje stumbles and gets back upright. Holloway high-fives him to make sure he is good to go, and Gaethje is fine. Holloway jabs with his foot, and a spin kick on the nose sends Gaethje flying. As the cage door opens to bring in corners for the middle of the round, Gaethje nearly falls out of the cage itself. Gaethje adjusts his nose that might have suffered some damage from the kick, and the tense round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Shane Clifford scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Round 2
Gaethje appears overly concerned about his nose to begin the round, and it starts tentatively between the two. As Holloway sticks out a few jabs, blood streams from it, and Gaethje is not happy about it. Gaethje loads up on a huge right hand, and Holloway barely slides out of the way in time. Holloway rifles out jabs to the nose, and he chains two together before releasing a high body kick. The crowd is deafening with calls for Holloway, and Gaethje absorbs a little of the energy to land a powerful leg kick. Holloway gives him one back, and he reaches out to throw hands as Gaethje comes in swinging aggressively. Holloway stretches his finger out, and it jams deep into Gaethje’s eye. Goddard sees it and immediately calls time, and Gaethje is not about to stop because of some eye damage. After about 45 seconds, Gaethje declares he is good to go, and the fighters share a glove touch before getting after it. Gaethje lands a body kick, and Holloway does too. Gaethje winds up and slings a leg kick that Holloway partially checks. Holloway jabs the body and wraps a kick up that slaps into the BMF beltholder’s armpit. Gaethje slides to the side and adjusts his nose, and he springs forward with a right hand and a low kick. Holloway stands firm in front of him and continues targeting the body with long punches. Gaethje looses a right hand as Holloway pokes his hand out, and Holloway immediately apologizes and Gaethje gets time to recover. Goddard asks Holloway to be careful, and Gaethje is irritated but only takes 20 seconds before going back to it. Gaethje releases a heavy leg kick, and Holloway can only partially defend against it. Gaethje lashes out with a right and a left, missing the mark by a small margin. Holloway pushes out a teep kick and goes after a jab to the midsection, and Gaethje punishes him with a calf kick at the right time. Holloway raises his leg up a few times to take some of the pain away, and he surges into action with a pair of clean punches. Gaethje gets away with another stunning calf kick, and Holloway reaches him back with two punches. Holloway spins with a kick, and he tosses up high a body kick as the two brawl to the conclusion of the round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Shane Clifford scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Round 3
There is a touch of gloves between the fighters to get started. Gaethje parries one punch, but Holloway lands a second to the midsection. Gaethje chops at his front leg, and Holloway pitches two back. Holloway lets go with a right hand to the sternum, and he kicks Holloway in the side and takes one right back. Gaethje whips a kick at him, and it buzzes past his opponent. Holloway has a body kick graze the cup, and Gaethje shakes it off and is fine. Gaethje stabs his toes at the midsection, and Holloway jabs him in the face. When Gaethje advances, Holloway reaches him with a clean uppercut. Gaethje batters the calf with another vicious kick, and Holloway’s do not nearly have the same impact. Gaethje scores a check left hook, and front kicks from both men go flying. Holloway beans Gaethje with a one-two and he blasts Gaethje with a spinning back kick that lands on the face. Gaethje tries to fire back, and Holloway chains a number of punches that drop Gaethje to a knee. Gaethje climbs back up and swings with bad intentions, and a low kick nearly compromises the former featherweight king as his leg swells up badly. Gaethje clears the cobwebs and backs away from a lunging combination, and he ducks down and a spinning back kick catches him flush in the ribs. Gaethje steels himself and eats a right hand, and he marches Holloway down and tries to unleash the thunder. Holloway keeps moving, circling to the right way to avoid the worst of the power. Gaethje kicks him in the shoulder, and Holloway comes back throwing with a left hand. Holloway gets in an uppercut, and Gaethje unloads a right hand and a low kick in response. Holloway rips a straight right hand to the midsection, and he releases a right hand that skims past Gaethje’s ear. They clash together when throwing hands violently, and Gaethje gathers himself and checks a leg kick. Gaethje kicks the body, and Holloway does the same to mirror what Gaethje does to him. Gaethje releases two more high kicks that are block before the bell sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Shane Clifford scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Round 4
The championship rounds are reached, and they begin with a fist bump. They hand-fight with one another before Gaethje pushes out a front kick. Holloway doubles up on the same kick, leading Gaethje to slam his shin on Holloway’s swollen calf. Holloway rips a right hand to the midsection, and he kicks on the other side as Gaethje tries to catch it but releases the leg. They trade body shots, and Gaethje whizzes past with a mighty one-two. Holloway lands a body kick and scores two big punches, and Gaethje whirrs into action with a barrage of heavy punches punctuated by two big right hands. Holloway marks the face up, and he forces Gaethje to buckle so he can work the body. Holloway jabs up the face, continuing to damage Gaethje’s busted nose, and Gaethje reels when he absorbs the blows but is more than willing to ruthlessly sling leather back at him. Gaethje chops down the front leg once more, and Holloway slides away from the other blows and lands a few of his own. Gaethje catches the Hawaiian standing still, landing several punches in rapid succession before Holloway can get away. “The Highlight” further batters the front leg, and Holloway responds with an accurate uppercut. Gaethje comes up short with a haymaker, allowing Holloway to roll and counter with a right hand. Holloway steps in with a knee and eats the end of a left hand with little effect. Gaethje beats down the front leg, and Holloway ignores the pain to put three punches to together to the body and head. Gaethje uncorks a bomb of a right hand drops Holloway to his seat, in what could register as the first knockdown in Holloway’s UFC career. Holloway pops right back up and fights behind his jab, making sure not to eat any unnecessary power shots while landing his own. They both lash out with body kicks, and Gaethje puts out a front kick for good measure. Gaethje smacks Holloway with a left hand, and he stings Holloway with a left and a right before the exciting round wraps.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gaethje
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Gaethje
Shane Clifford scores the round: 10-9 Gaethje
Round 5
There is a shared fist bump, and a sharp inhale from the attendees of the T-Mobile Arena for what could be a ridiculous fifth and final frame. Gaethje uses his own jab, and Holloway meets him with a head kick that knocks Gaethje back several steps. Gaethje ducks a looping left hand, square into an uppercut waiting for him. He pays it no mind and jabs the body to follow it with a right over the top. Holloway spins with a kick that slides off Gaethje’s body, and he recovers and lines up two punches down Broadway. Gaethje scoops down to the Earth’s core to come up with a ferocious uppercut, and it blazes past Holloway and singes his hair. Holloway attacks, entering vintage “Blessed” mode by chaining well over a dozen punches together to the head and body. Gaethje responds with massive hooks, and Holloway spins with a back kick to the ribs. Gaethje takes a deep breath and allows Holloway to reach him with a right hand. Gaethje swipes out with a left, and Holloway’s spinning back kick again finds its home. Gaethje goes high with a kick that is blocked, and Holloway dings him with a right hand and jumps with a spin kick that catches “The Highlight.” Gaethje sits down on a low kick and jabs out with his hands, and Holloway bloodies his nose with a short blitz. Holloway ducks and digs a right hand to the body and a left to the head. Holloway connects with a solid left on the forehead, and he stomp kicks Gaethje’s knees coming in. Gaethje walks into a spin kick that connects cleanly, and he hits air when Holloway slips away. Holloway unloads with a painful kick to the body, and he strings a few more punches together. Gaethje tries to kick him upside the head, and Holloway blocks it and jumps at him with a knee. Gaethje kicks the lead leg, and Holloway is in trouble after all of this damage sustained. As Holloway hears that it’s time to power up, he points to the ground and signals that a tremendous brawl is about to ensue. Gaethje meets him in the middle, and with about 15 seconds left, everything they have left is unleashed in the Octagon. Gaethje slings violently, and Holloway does the same. Both men blast one another with hellacious power, knocking one another around the cage in a slugfest perfectly representing the “BMF” name. Holloway ducks down and channels all of his remaining energy into his right fist. “Blessed” releases it and smashes it into Gaethje’s temple, and Gaethje slumps to the ground on his face, completely annihilated. Holloway did it! With maybe one second left in a fight he was likely going to win, Holloway threw everything in the air and let the chips fall where they may. Absolutely incredible! Max Holloway is the baddest mister falcon in the UFC, and he did it in a way that will live forever on highlight reels. “Knockout of the Year” is likely well and sewn up now. The triumphant Hawaiian calls for championship fights at featherweight or lightweight, and with Alexander Volkanovski not the champ of the former, he can call his shots practically anywhere he wants. He also demands double bonus money for “Fight of the Night” and “Performance of the Night.” Give the man what he wants, for he is a superstar.
The Official Result
Max Holloway def. Justin Gaethje R5 4:59 via KO (Punch)
Expert Picks (9)
Angelo picks Justin Gaethje, citing his power and wrestling as the edge. He notes Max Holloway has volume and speed, and the five rounds help Max, but Gaethje's power and wrestling give him a slight advantage. He calls the -200 odds too wide and advises against parlaying Gaethje.
Cody believes Max Holloway is a legendary fighter but is undersized at lightweight. He points out that when Holloway jumps up, he lands volume but the bigger opponents land the more damaging shots, as seen in the Dustin Poirier fights. Gaethje is the bigger, stronger man with power and leg kicks. Cody notes Gaethje's durability and that he's been fighting the best of his career recently. He expects Gaethje to attack the leg and land the bigger hooks, and thinks Holloway will have to outpoint him for 25 minutes, which is unlikely. Cody predicts Gaethje gets the job done, likely by decision.
Daniel Vreeland picks Justin Gaethje, citing Gaethje's size, power, and recent form. He notes that Holloway's move up to lightweight didn't go well before, and that Gaethje hits much harder. He also mentions that Gaethje is fighting smarter now, which plays into his advantage.
Daniel Vreeland picks Max Holloway to win the BMF title, citing his superior cardio, five-round experience, and ability to make adjustments on the fly. He believes Holloway's volume and durability will overwhelm Gaethje in the later rounds, and notes Holloway's improved grappling as a potential factor. He is concerned about Gaethje's leg kicks but trusts Holloway's chin and recovery.
Jeff Fox picks Justin Gaethje, agreeing with Vreeland. He notes that Holloway's path to victory is narrow, relying on volume and pressure, but Gaethje matches that. He mentions that Gaethje's punches are much harder and that he will steal rounds with power shots. He also notes that Gaethje is fighting safer now, which helps him.
Lucrative James discusses the fight as a banger but does not make a pick. He mentions that many people think it will go the same way as Holloway's last loss at 155 to Dustin Poirier, but he is not sure. He says he will have a separate analysis video coming soon. He also notes he is looking at the odds as a gambler but does not reveal a side.
Holloway's ability to go into deep waters and turn on the pressure will allow him to pull away. Gaethje has lost in championship fights in the third or fourth rounds when opponents put pressure and output on him. Holloway will overwhelm him with a barrage of shots, similar to Dustin Poirier and Eddie Alvarez, and get a stoppage in rounds 3-5.
Paul has never liked Max Holloway at lightweight, citing his size disadvantage. He notes that Gaethje will attack the legs heavily and that Holloway has never faced a leg kicker like Gaethje. Paul mentions Holloway's volume is unmatched but his opponents land the stiffer, more damaging shots, which judges favor. He references the Dustin Poirier fights where Holloway outlanded Poirier but lost because Poirier's shots were harder. Paul sees Gaethje as the rightful favorite and expects him to win, likely by decision.
The MMA Guru picks Max Holloway to win by third-round TKO, citing Holloway's volume and ability to capitalize on Gaethje's two-punch sequencing. He questions Gaethje's knockout power, noting he hasn't knocked out elite competition with punches. He believes Holloway's range, kicks, and durability will be key.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Holloway | 2 | 75 of 128 | 58% | 75 of 128 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:57 |
| Chan Sung Jung | 0 | 34 of 124 | 27% | 35 of 126 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Holloway | 0 | 34 of 55 | 61% | 34 of 55 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Chan Sung Jung | 0 | 15 of 50 | 30% | 15 of 51 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Max Holloway | 1 | 36 of 62 | 58% | 36 of 62 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:54 |
| Chan Sung Jung | 0 | 16 of 57 | 28% | 17 of 58 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:15 | |
| 3 | Max Holloway | 1 | 5 of 11 | 45% | 5 of 11 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Chan Sung Jung | 0 | 3 of 17 | 17% | 3 of 17 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Holloway | 75 of 128 | 58% | 34 of 77 | 31 of 35 | 10 of 16 | 71 of 124 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 3 |
| Chan Sung Jung | 34 of 124 | 27% | 25 of 110 | 6 of 8 | 3 of 6 | 34 of 122 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Holloway | 34 of 55 | 61% | 12 of 28 | 14 of 15 | 8 of 12 | 34 of 55 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Chan Sung Jung | 15 of 50 | 30% | 9 of 40 | 4 of 5 | 2 of 5 | 15 of 50 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Max Holloway | 36 of 62 | 58% | 18 of 40 | 16 of 18 | 2 of 4 | 33 of 59 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 |
| Chan Sung Jung | 16 of 57 | 28% | 13 of 53 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 16 of 57 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Max Holloway | 5 of 11 | 45% | 4 of 9 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Chan Sung Jung | 3 of 17 | 17% | 3 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 15 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Holloway (-850), Jung (+520)
Round 1
The featherweight mainstays close the show for the UFC’s first visit to Singapore in more than a year. Stuck in Alexander Volkanovski-induced limbo, Holloway has won 17 of his past 21 fights, with three of those losses resulting from failed encounters with the current featherweight champion. Jung has not fought since he succumbed to fourth-round punches from Volkanovski in April 2022. Marc Goddard draws the final assignment as the third man in the cage. They tap gloves, as a raucous crowd roars at the start. Holloway gets going with a leg kick and trades left hands with Jung. The Hawaiian looks more tentative than usual. Jung sneaks in a left hand, then exchanges with Holloway on the run. Holloway rocks Jung with a counterpunch but remains cautious. The former champion feints low and steps into a crisp left hook, then jabs at the body. Holloway connects with a two-punch burst. Jung shovels a left hand into the Hawaiian’s face but fails to follow up. Holloway staggers him with another left, rolls into a combination and turns away an attempted takedown. When Jung, he does so with impact but usually only a punch at a time. They close with a flurry, and Jung gets the better of the exchange.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Round 2
Holloway takes the center of the cage in Round 2 but eats a left hook. The Hawaiian drops Jung with a right hand to the temple, then bites down on a brabo choke. “The Korean Zombie” refuses to surrender and somehow escapes. Holloway delivers some hammerfists as the rise back to their feet. Jung tags the former champion with a left hook and sets of an exchange that shows Holloway to be the more surgical of the two. Holoway backs Jung to the fence, rattles him with a right and eats a heavy shot in return. They resume their dance in the center of the cage with a little more than 90 seconds to go in the rounds. Holloway jabs at the body, feints and goes upstairs. Jung may be living on borrowed time here. A left hook-overhand right connects for the Hawaiian. Holloway starting to overwhelm the South Korean with his speed, output and accuracy.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Round 3
Jung cuts loose with punches at the start of Round 3.
Holloway stays calm under serious duress, and the furious rush of violence ends when he faceplants “The Korean Zombie” with a devastating overhand right. No follow-up shots were necessary. Jung went out on his shield
.
The Official Result
Max Holloway def. Chan Sung Jung—KO (Punch) 0:23 R3
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Expert Picks (8)
Angelo is confident Holloway will win, citing his striking volume, pressure, takedown defense, and championship experience. He notes that Holloway is an 8-to-1 favorite but he won't bet that price. He expects Holloway to dominate the striking exchanges and defend takedowns, potentially setting up another title shot.
Big Brady sees no clear path to victory for the Korean Zombie, as Holloway has superior volume, takedown defense, and durability. He notes that Zombie has looked bad in recent fights, taking significant damage against Volkanovski and Ortega. He expects Holloway to overwhelm Zombie with strikes, leading to a late-round knockout or corner stoppage.
Cody sees Holloway as a clear winner due to his legendary durability and volume striking. He notes that Holloway's speed and output will overwhelm the Korean Zombie, who is on a retirement fight and has shown decline. Cody expects Holloway to win by decision but also considers late-round finishes possible. He mentions using Holloway as a parlay anchor but warns that the minus 800 price is steep.
Daniel picks Max Holloway, citing his insane volume and output over five rounds. He notes that Holloway's path to victory is clear through sheer strike volume, while the Korean Zombie's only chance is a counter-striking power approach. He mentions that Zombie is 36 and coming off a brutal beating from Volkanovski, and that Holloway is the younger, more durable fighter. He expects a decision win for Holloway.
James is confident Max Holloway wins, believing he can finish the Korean Zombie whenever he wants. He notes Zombie hasn't looked good recently and that Holloway's volume and leg kicks will be too much. He considers Holloway by KO at -145 but passes due to the possibility of a decision or friendly fight. He thinks Holloway could finish early or late.
The host emphasizes Holloway's durability, cardio, and volume striking, and believes he will pressure the Korean Zombie and win a decision. He notes that Holloway is only 31 and has a lot to prove. The host mentions the over/under was steamed to over 2.5 and expects the fight to go the distance. He likes the Holloway by decision prop at +165.
Paul agrees Holloway wins but notes he's slowing down and more vulnerable than in the past. He points out that Holloway has taken significant damage in recent fights and may not be the same fighter, but the Korean Zombie is at the end of his career and lacks the tools to exploit that. Paul expects Holloway to win by decision or late finish, but warns that the price is too high for a straight bet.
The MMA Guru picks Max Holloway over the Korean Zombie, citing style matchup issues. He explains that Holloway struggles against shorter opponents who move side-to-side and wrestle, but the Korean Zombie is a flat-footed, linear boxer who doesn't throw leg kicks. He notes Holloway's activity and youth (31) compared to Zombie's layoff and age (36). He predicts a late-round standing TKO, similar to the Volk fight but with more volume.
Apr 15, 2023
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Holloway | 0 | 147 of 262 | 56% | 149 of 264 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Arnold Allen | 0 | 76 of 225 | 33% | 80 of 229 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:42 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Holloway | 0 | 27 of 62 | 43% | 27 of 62 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Arnold Allen | 0 | 11 of 33 | 33% | 11 of 33 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Max Holloway | 0 | 25 of 49 | 51% | 25 of 49 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Arnold Allen | 0 | 19 of 42 | 45% | 19 of 42 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Max Holloway | 0 | 33 of 51 | 64% | 33 of 51 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Arnold Allen | 0 | 14 of 45 | 31% | 14 of 45 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 4 | Max Holloway | 0 | 29 of 52 | 55% | 29 of 52 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Arnold Allen | 0 | 12 of 39 | 30% | 12 of 39 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 5 | Max Holloway | 0 | 33 of 48 | 68% | 35 of 50 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Arnold Allen | 0 | 20 of 66 | 30% | 24 of 70 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:42 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Holloway | 147 of 262 | 56% | 77 of 180 | 42 of 48 | 28 of 34 | 146 of 261 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Arnold Allen | 76 of 225 | 33% | 48 of 173 | 18 of 36 | 10 of 16 | 76 of 225 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Holloway | 27 of 62 | 43% | 13 of 46 | 9 of 11 | 5 of 5 | 27 of 62 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Arnold Allen | 11 of 33 | 33% | 4 of 21 | 2 of 4 | 5 of 8 | 11 of 33 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Max Holloway | 25 of 49 | 51% | 11 of 30 | 8 of 9 | 6 of 10 | 25 of 49 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Arnold Allen | 19 of 42 | 45% | 10 of 26 | 6 of 12 | 3 of 4 | 19 of 42 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Max Holloway | 33 of 51 | 64% | 20 of 37 | 7 of 7 | 6 of 7 | 33 of 51 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Arnold Allen | 14 of 45 | 31% | 11 of 39 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 1 | 14 of 45 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Max Holloway | 29 of 52 | 55% | 12 of 33 | 10 of 12 | 7 of 7 | 29 of 52 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Arnold Allen | 12 of 39 | 30% | 6 of 31 | 5 of 6 | 1 of 2 | 12 of 39 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Max Holloway | 33 of 48 | 68% | 21 of 34 | 8 of 9 | 4 of 5 | 32 of 47 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Arnold Allen | 20 of 66 | 30% | 17 of 56 | 2 of 9 | 1 of 1 | 20 of 66 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Holloway (-175), Allen (+150)
Round 1
The featherweight championship trilogy for Holloway (23-7, 19-7 UFC) did not go his way, dropping three matches to king Alexander Volkanovski, and now “Blessed” will try to earn an unprecedented fourth crack at him. On the other hand, like excellent fighters at lightweight (Beneil Dariush) and welterweight (Belal Muhammad), Allen (19-1, 10-0 UFC) cannot seem to buy a title shot despite an outstanding win streak of 10 straight. Should “Almighty” get past the Hawaiian – Holloway has not lost a non-championship outing in nearly a decade – it should be more than enough to earn him the coveted opportunity to vie for a belt. One thing is certain: This fight should be electric. Referee Jason Herzog is on the call for the last fight of the night, and the two combatants are amped up but glad to touch gloves before the face punching begins. Allen is the aggressor to lead off, with a few leg kicks and jabs. Holloway hops around on the outside, dodging kicks and staying loose. Allen lets go with a body kick, but it is low and bounces off the cup. Herzog pauses the fight to let the Hawaiian get his wind back, but Holloway only needs 15 seconds before he is good to go. Holloway scores a chipping leg kick and two one-twos, and he blocks a head kick and gives one right back. Holloway digs a right to the head and left to the body, and he slides back out of harm’s way in time to avoid a counter. Allen connects cleanly with a left hand, and Holloway absorbs it without batting an eye. Holloway jabs to the body and eats a low kick, and he keeps his guard up from one up high. Holloway slips a jab to sneak one in, and he plants two fists on the Brit’s mug. When Allen misses on another high kick, Holloway tunes him up with three fast punches. They both land strikes on the outside, and Allen raises his arms up to reset. Holloway stomps at the knee with a kick, and he keeps scooting around the outer edge and away from the high kick. Holloway blocks a body kick, throws one back and ends the combination with a few punches. Holloway sneaks a left over the guard, and he leans back as a head kick whizzes past him. The two men clash leg kicks together, and Allen gives chase with a left hook that misses the mark. Holloway backs Allen up with a short combination, and Allen gathers his thoughts and flicks out a jab. Allen reaches his foe with a left over the top, and Holloway spins all the way through with a kick that glances off Allen’s midsection. Holloway times a body kick and a left hand, surprising Allen but not stunning him. Holloway slips a punch, moves, and reaches up with a head kick right before the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Round 2
The fighters half-heartedly touch ‘em up to start off the second stanza, and he shifts to the side when Allen advances with a left hook. Allen aims a pair of kicks to the side, and he gets tripped up and a front kick clicks off the cup. Holloway shakes it off and they do not break, and Allen walks him down and slugs him in the face with a monster left hand. The Hawaiian tanks it and tries to trade back, and he gets clubbed again with a powerful left. Allen slows his barrage when Holloway sticks out a right hand, but he times a left over the jab to tag Holloway again. “Blessed” smacks the lead calf a few times, and it is turning red as Allen surges forward. Allen chambers and fires another left, but Holloway rolls with this one and is not overly concerned. Holloway splits the guard with a jab and marks up Allen’s nose, and he blocks head kick to return one. Holloway jabs the body as he reaches out, and he dodges a heavy strike and avoids a high kick that soars after it. Holloway strings three punches together while Allen is resetting, and he jabs to break up Allen’s looping punches. Holloway wings a right hand, and he follows it with three punches to the head and body. Holloway switches stances repeatedly to give Allen pause, and he hops in with a piercing jab. Allen whiffs on a left hand and connects with a front kick, and he takes a flush body kick that lands with an audible thud. Holloway gets caught with a left hook, and he flings a kick up high and throws one from the other leg that slips under the armpit. Holloway spins with a hook kick, and the horn blares.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Allen
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Allen
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Allen
Round 3
Allen starts off Round 3 pushing the pace, and he walks into a quick right hand from “Blessed.” Allen returns fire, and his nose is showing some wear. Holloway lines up three punches on the jaw, and Allen has to take a second to gather his thoughts. Allen loads up on a right hook and a big left, and Holloway sees them and defends from the brunt of the damage. Allen gives chase with power punches, and Holloway jabs at him to the head and midsection. Holloway takes a strike to cut the inside of his eyebrow on his left eye, and he dodges the vicious swings to stay safe. Allen blocks a head kick and tags Holloway with two long left hands, and Holloway reaches him with a straight right to the body before leaping back. Holloway slides a kick up high and is backed off with a check right hook, and he slips several punches and sinks in another body kick. Holloway sends Allen backing away with a short combo of punches to bloody the nose, and the Brit waves Herzog off from a possible uncalled foul. Holloway slams his shin on the calf to make Allen’s knee turn in, and he stands right in the pocket to trade. Allen throws a high kick, and Holloway guards it and secures an unblocked kick to the midsection. Allen takes one more heavy kick, and Holloway closes in and gets off a step-in elbow. Holloway flashes out a jab and two punches when Allen bears down on him. Holloway spins with a back fist, and the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Round 4
The fighters tap hands to start off the championship rounds, and he races forward to engage. Allen scores a few body shots before backing off, and Holloway lets him so that he can work on the welting calf of his opponent. Holloway jabs the nose, and he walks through a head kick to score a right hand down Broadway. Holloway slows Allen coming forward by pushing off Allen’s knee to potentially hyperextend it, and he darts back when Allen springs into attack mode. Holloway gets off one more kick to the body, and he spins with a kick that misses the mark. Holloway pops Allen with three punches in rapid succession, and he rips the body with a left. Allen gives him one back with a solid right hand, but it is one-and-done while Holloway keeps combinations flowing. Holloway keeps kicking at the knee, and he digs another straight hand to the breadbasket. Chants for “Holloway” rain down in the building as he delivers one more gutbusting kick, and Allen wears it well but is heavily marked up all over. Holloway jumps in, jabs the body, and jumps away. Allen catches a kick and tries to throw Holloway down, and when the Hawaiian will not go down, he tosses a head kick at him. Holloway blocks and circles away, and he guards a second head kick that soon follows. Holloway strides in with an elbow, and Allen catches him with a right. As soon as he does, Holloway is amped up and gives him one right back. Holloway slams a kick to the ribs, and he is answered with a powerful left hook. The former champ does not flinch, and he spins with a wheel kick and drops to a knee. Holloway climbs back up and works the body with a few punches, and he pecks at the knee a few times with his shin or the ball of his foot. Holloway goes up high with a kick, and Allen lunges with a left and gets drilled upside the head with a kick. Allen rushes out with a spin kick, and Holloway concludes the round with a high kick that wraps around the guard.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Round 5
The fighters clap hands to begin the final round, and Allen is ready to throw hammers. He chases Holloway around, knocking him around with big hooks. Allen stings the former champ with a left hand, and Holloway wears it well and escapes. Holloway steps back from an elbow to reach him with a knee, and he spins with an elbow that smashes Allen right on the jaw. Allen takes his foot off the gas when absorbing this heavy blow, and Holloway kicks his side. Allen swings for the fences but cannot reach Holloway with this exchange, and Holloway stands in front of him and puts several punches on the chin. Holloway does work on the lead knee and calf, and he digs a kick to the body that makes Allen rush in and clinch up with him. Holloway pushes him off and gains space, and he kicks the body again and knees it for good measure. Allen lashes out with a right hand, and Holloway dips away from the subsequent blows. Allen kicks Holloway in the head twice, and “Blessed” absorbs them and takes a few more heavy punches as he escapes. Allen lumbers into a winging left hook, and he tosses forth a head kick that slides off the guard. Allen is met with a one-two when trying to go forward again, and Holloway intercepts him with a knee to the ribs. Holloway kicks the side once more, and he ducks a kick that skims his hair. Holloway rolls with looping, dangerous shots, and Allen is emptying the gas tank and takes a spinning back kick to the body. When Holloway lands another kick to the body, he falls over, and Allen lets him up to throw hands. Allen gets too close and ties up, and his mouthpiece flies out. Herzog replaces it while the two are clinched, and Allen tries for a body lock takedown. “Blessed” remains upright and pushes away with seconds to spare. In typical Holloway fashion, he lets the final seconds turn into a mighty brawl. Allen hurts Holloway with an elbow, and Holloway blasts him with a stream of punches that hurt Allen and put him down to a knee. Allen pops back up, looking to trade leather, but time expires. This is a terrific fight in the books, and it was a close one that lived up to the expectations. Even in defeat, Allen’s stock should not fall far, as Holloway is one of a kind and still has not lost a non-title fight in almost 10 years. Next week, the UFC goes back to the Apex with a show featuring a potential heavyweight title eliminator, and we will be here for it. We hope you are too.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Allen (48-47 Holloway)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Allen (48-47 Holloway)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Allen (48-47 Holloway)
The Official Result
Max Holloway def. Arnold Allen via Unanimous Decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47)
Expert Picks (8)
Angelo picks Max Holloway, citing his incredible volume, experience, and size advantage. He notes Holloway is only 31 and has only lost to Volkanovski and Poirier. He acknowledges Holloway has absorbed a lot of damage and his chin may give out eventually, but until then he's riding with him. He has no bet on the main event, preferring to watch without wagering.
Big Brady picks Max Holloway to win by knockout in the fourth or fifth round. He highlights Holloway's unmatched volume and durability, noting that his only recent losses are to Alexander Volkanovski. He believes Arnold Allen's only path to victory is a knockout, which is unlikely given Holloway's chin. He expects Holloway to break Allen late.
Cody acknowledges Holloway's mileage and potential regression, but trusts his proven five-round cardio, durability, and volume. He notes Arnold Allen's low output historically and questions whether Allen can maintain high output for five rounds. He sees Holloway as still the superior fighter, though he admits Allen is improving and could win in a few years.
Connor picks Holloway but expresses hesitation, noting that Allen's southpaw style and counter-punching could pose problems similar to Poirier's approach. He acknowledges Holloway's wear and tear from a long career and many wars, but ultimately trusts Holloway's proven track record against top competition. Connor feels Allen has not yet shown he can maintain the necessary pace and composure for five rounds against Holloway.
Holloway's output and durability will overwhelm Allen, who has benefited from favorable matchmaking and low activity. Holloway's only recent losses are to Volkanovski, and he still performed well against Kattar and Rodriguez. Allen's low output style will be exposed by Holloway's volume and pressure. Expect Holloway to finish late, possibly in rounds 4 or 5.
Paul echoes Cody's reasoning, emphasizing Holloway's incredible volume and durability. He notes that Holloway landed 445 significant strikes against Calvin Kattar, questioning if Arnold Allen can keep that pace. He acknowledges Holloway may be slowing down but still finds it hard to ignore his output.
The MMA Guru picks Max Holloway to win by decision, citing Holloway's volume striking, boxing, chin, and takedown defense. He acknowledges Arnold Allen's power and recent improvements but believes Holloway's experience in championship fights and ability to take three of five rounds will prevail. He notes the -190 line is a bit high and sees value on Allen at +155, but ultimately sides with Holloway.
Zane picks Holloway, acknowledging Allen's southpaw tactics and potential but emphasizing Holloway's proven durability and pace. He notes that Allen's best wins have asterisks (Hooker at wrong weight, Kattar injury) and that Holloway has only lost to elite competition like Volkanovski and Poirier. Zane believes Holloway's volume and pressure will be too much for Allen over five rounds.
Jul 02, 2022
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Volkanovski | 0 | 199 of 372 | 53% | 204 of 377 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:57 |
| Max Holloway | 0 | 127 of 301 | 42% | 161 of 335 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:16 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexander Volkanovski | 0 | 28 of 70 | 40% | 28 of 70 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Max Holloway | 0 | 24 of 56 | 42% | 26 of 58 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Alexander Volkanovski | 0 | 37 of 78 | 47% | 38 of 79 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:22 |
| Max Holloway | 0 | 27 of 65 | 41% | 37 of 75 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Alexander Volkanovski | 0 | 40 of 74 | 54% | 40 of 74 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:32 |
| Max Holloway | 0 | 26 of 63 | 41% | 30 of 67 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:05 | |
| 4 | Alexander Volkanovski | 0 | 44 of 70 | 62% | 48 of 74 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:26 |
| Max Holloway | 0 | 31 of 63 | 49% | 42 of 74 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:03 | |
| 5 | Alexander Volkanovski | 0 | 50 of 80 | 62% | 50 of 80 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:37 |
| Max Holloway | 0 | 19 of 54 | 35% | 26 of 61 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Volkanovski | 199 of 372 | 53% | 152 of 316 | 19 of 24 | 28 of 32 | 175 of 340 | 24 of 32 | 0 of 0 |
| Max Holloway | 127 of 301 | 42% | 64 of 213 | 42 of 59 | 21 of 29 | 109 of 283 | 18 of 18 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexander Volkanovski | 28 of 70 | 40% | 18 of 55 | 5 of 7 | 5 of 8 | 26 of 68 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Max Holloway | 24 of 56 | 42% | 11 of 31 | 6 of 14 | 7 of 11 | 22 of 54 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Alexander Volkanovski | 37 of 78 | 47% | 29 of 69 | 3 of 4 | 5 of 5 | 35 of 75 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Max Holloway | 27 of 65 | 41% | 15 of 48 | 7 of 10 | 5 of 7 | 27 of 65 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Alexander Volkanovski | 40 of 74 | 54% | 31 of 63 | 5 of 6 | 4 of 5 | 34 of 65 | 6 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
| Max Holloway | 26 of 63 | 41% | 16 of 51 | 8 of 9 | 2 of 3 | 22 of 59 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Alexander Volkanovski | 44 of 70 | 62% | 37 of 63 | 3 of 3 | 4 of 4 | 35 of 58 | 9 of 12 | 0 of 0 |
| Max Holloway | 31 of 63 | 49% | 13 of 41 | 16 of 20 | 2 of 2 | 24 of 56 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Alexander Volkanovski | 50 of 80 | 62% | 37 of 66 | 3 of 4 | 10 of 10 | 45 of 74 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Max Holloway | 19 of 54 | 35% | 9 of 42 | 5 of 6 | 5 of 6 | 14 of 49 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
Expert Picks (7)
Angelo picks Volkanovski, citing his previous two wins over Holloway and his ability to mix in takedowns. He notes that Holloway took significant damage in his last fight against Yair Rodriguez and may be declining. He expects a similar outcome with Volkanovski winning a decision.
Big Brady picks Alexander Volkanovski but is hesitant, acknowledging Holloway's volume and the close second fight. He likes Volkanovski's movement, kicks, and ability to mix in takedowns. He expects a close decision win for Volkanovski.
Cody thinks Volkanovski has Max's number, citing his ability to mix in takedowns and land more impactful strikes. He notes Max's volume is high but he leaves himself open to counters. He expects Volkanovski to win a decision, possibly by mixing in wrestling.
Daniel Levi leans toward Alexander Volkanovski, citing his superior fainting game, leg kicks, and ability to make in-fight adjustments. He notes that Volkanovski's heart and doggedness were key in the second fight, where he came back from down two rounds. Levi acknowledges that Holloway has value at +170 given the close nature of their previous fights (five of six judges scored them 3-2), but he believes Volkanovski is operating on a different level and could potentially dominate. He is not confident enough to bet at -200.
Volkanovski is a master at implementing game plans and adjusts well as fights go on. He won the later rounds in both previous fights. Holloway's narrative of getting stronger late doesn't hold against Volkanovski. The host prefers Volkanovski by decision at +105 rather than the moneyline.
Paul agrees Volkanovski is the rightful favorite, citing his ability to mix in takedowns and steal rounds. He prefers to bet live to get a better price, but picks Volkanovski to win.
The MMA Guru picks Alexander Volkanovski to win by decision, citing his improved leg kick setups, grappling, and recent activity with no damage taken. He argues Holloway has taken significant damage in recent fights and that Volkanovski's shorter stature with longer reach is a stylistic nightmare. He predicts a 49-46 scorecard and notes that betting on Holloway requires knockdowns, which is unreliable.
Nov 13, 2021
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Holloway | 0 | 230 of 404 | 56% | 251 of 434 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 1 | 0 | 6:49 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 159 of 352 | 45% | 186 of 383 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 1 | 1:20 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Holloway | 0 | 38 of 57 | 66% | 42 of 62 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:14 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 37 of 79 | 46% | 38 of 80 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:43 | |
| 2 | Max Holloway | 0 | 58 of 110 | 52% | 59 of 111 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:25 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 42 of 84 | 50% | 43 of 85 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Max Holloway | 0 | 38 of 66 | 57% | 46 of 81 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 3:04 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 20 of 47 | 42% | 20 of 50 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:07 | |
| 4 | Max Holloway | 0 | 43 of 77 | 55% | 49 of 84 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 2:06 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 24 of 64 | 37% | 28 of 69 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 5 | Max Holloway | 0 | 53 of 94 | 56% | 55 of 96 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:00 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 36 of 78 | 46% | 57 of 99 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 0:30 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Holloway | 230 of 404 | 56% | 129 of 278 | 66 of 83 | 35 of 43 | 187 of 347 | 22 of 24 | 21 of 33 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 159 of 352 | 45% | 78 of 247 | 24 of 41 | 57 of 64 | 152 of 343 | 5 of 5 | 2 of 4 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Holloway | 38 of 57 | 66% | 16 of 30 | 8 of 9 | 14 of 18 | 38 of 57 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 37 of 79 | 46% | 12 of 43 | 7 of 13 | 18 of 23 | 35 of 75 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 4 | |
| 2 | Max Holloway | 58 of 110 | 52% | 29 of 69 | 23 of 34 | 6 of 7 | 56 of 107 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 1 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 42 of 84 | 50% | 15 of 54 | 5 of 7 | 22 of 23 | 41 of 83 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Max Holloway | 38 of 66 | 57% | 25 of 53 | 11 of 11 | 2 of 2 | 20 of 40 | 4 of 4 | 14 of 22 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 20 of 47 | 42% | 13 of 38 | 2 of 4 | 5 of 5 | 19 of 46 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Max Holloway | 43 of 77 | 55% | 22 of 52 | 13 of 16 | 8 of 9 | 33 of 65 | 4 of 5 | 6 of 7 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 24 of 64 | 37% | 17 of 53 | 3 of 6 | 4 of 5 | 24 of 64 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Max Holloway | 53 of 94 | 56% | 37 of 74 | 11 of 13 | 5 of 7 | 40 of 78 | 12 of 13 | 1 of 3 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 36 of 78 | 46% | 21 of 59 | 7 of 11 | 8 of 8 | 33 of 75 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
The battle everyone has been waiting for is now here, in the main event of UFC Fight Night 197. Featherweight contenders will toe the line in the marquee attraction, as former champion Holloway (22-6, 18-6 UFC) comes to blows with TUF Latin America 1 victor “El Pantera” Rodriguez (13-2, 1 NC; 8-1, 1 NC UFC). Bracing himself is referee Marc Goddard, who might have a lot of work to do between this all-action 145-pound tilt. They show ample respect when they touch gloves, but the subsequent strikes that will follow will be not nearly as sporting. Holloway walks Rodriguez down and throws a kick to the knee, and Rodriguez counters with one right back. They come together and land right hands, and Rodriguez quickly kicks Holloway in the face. A left hand from Holloway pushes Rodriguez down to the ground, and Rodriguez hits the ground and fires off an upkick. Holloway nods at him and lets Rodriguez back up so they can throw hands. Rodriguez continues to land kicks from afar, and he sits down on a pair of hooks. Holloway stings his man with a right hand, and he hops out of the way when Rodriguez kicks the leg. Holloway attacks the body, and Rodriguez swings wildly but comes up short. A left to the body, and then a left to the head, lands for Holloway, and Rodriguez stands right in front of him and throws right back at him. They are throwing with bad intentions, and landing cleanly while Holloway has his hands down by his waist. Rodriguez throws up high and kicks to the body, and one low makes Holloway turn around. Rodriguez scores, Holloway follows, and Rodriguez answers with a three-punch combo. Holloway kicks the leg, and then stomps down on the knee. Rodriguez shows no concern and pounds the body with a kick, and he falls over but springs back up when Holloway lets him back up. Rodriguez targets the leg with impunity, chopping at the former champ’s calf repeatedly. Rodriguez scores a one-two and a calf kick, and he winds up and cracks Holloway. Holloway nods and slings right back, and now it is Rodriguez who is hurt as he appreciates the blow. The right hand from Holloway opened a cut under Rodriguez’ eye, and he attacks the same spot a few more times. Rodriguez is not concerned one iota, and he swings back and spins with a kick. Holloway tries to counter with his own kick, and Holloway misses and is grabbed from behind. Rodriguez takes standing back control but cannot force Holloway any further down than his knees, and Holloway walks his way back up. Holloway is able to break the grip to turn around, and Rodriguez grabs a single and tries to lift Holloway off his feet. Holloway makes Rodriguez pay with a few punches, and Rodriguez replies with a kick that makes him fall to his back. In the ensuing melee, a kick from Holloway might have landed on the cup, and he dodges the upkicks to drop down in the Mexican’s guard and elbow him in the side. The close round ends in this position.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Rodriguez
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Rodriguez
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Rodriguez
Round 2
Rodriguez begins the second frame with a few leg kicks, and one opens up Holloway to get kicked in the face. The Hawaiian practically ignores it and walks his way forward to land punches. Rodriguez preemptively counters him with a few right hands, and he sticks out a couple of jabs while Holloway targets the body. Rodriguez sits down on a right hook, and it does not even register on Holloway. Holloway knocks his man back to the wall with punches, and he gives chase when Rodriguez retreats but does not fall into a trap. Rodriguez gives a tell that he might be trying to set up his no-look elbow that he smashed “The Korean Zombie” with, and Holloway sees it and instead kicks from afar with the ball of his foot. Rodriguez scores a couple low kicks, and Holloway throws up top and may have surprised Rodriguez. Rodriguez slams his shin into the body and forearms of his opponent a few times, and Holloway’s body is welted up but he is no worse for wear. Holloway takes a few calf kicks on the way in, and targets both legs with these strikes as Holloway tries to find his way forward. Rodriguez continues to blast the calf, and Holloway does not even register as he marches forward like a Hawaiian Terminator to slug it out with Rodriguez. Holloway’s leg may be swelling, and he changes stances when they both start trading punches. “El Pantera” does not stop kicking Holloway’s lead leg, and they are doing damage and adding up fast. Rodriguez gets backed up to the wall and drills Holloway with an elbow, but the former champ keeps the pressure on him and lands a few punches. They trade punches up top, and Rodriguez circles out and just avoids a head kick. Rodriguez pounds his shin into Holloway’s calf, and he dances out of the way when Holloway tries to land on him. Holloway gets off a punch to the body, and a jump knee that follows and lands to the solar plexus may have hurt the Mexican contender. Rodriguez swings and misses with an up-elbow, and Holloway kicks his leg out beneath him. When Holloway dives down into the guard, Rodriguez throws his legs up for an armbar, and the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Round 3
The featherweights meet in the middle and start trading, and Holloway walks his man down and kicks him in the side. “Blessed” ducks a punch, slips another, and lands a right hand over the top. Holloway gets off a right hand, fakes a takedown entry and jumps in the air to blast Rodriguez in the face with a knee. Holloway then knees the body with Rodriguez pressed against the fence, but “El Pantera” does not stay there for long and fights his way out to kick Holloway’s leg. Holloway tries another takedown to draw a reaction out of his opponent, and in the confusion, he scores a big punch and knocks Rodriguez’ legs out from under him. Rodriguez tries to get off upkicks, and Holloway shucks them off and climbs on top to take top position. Very smoothly, Holloway slides an arm-triangle choke around the head of his foe, and then he abandons it to claim full mount. Holloway pursues a rear-naked choke setup when Rodriguez gives up his back, but then lets him turn back to mount so that Holloway can smash him in the fact with fists and elbows. Rodriguez continues to turn and squirm, and Holloway slides out the back door to where both are on their knees in front of one another. Holloway considers a guillotine choke, but lets it go so they can stand back up and bang. They do exactly that, slugging it out with one another until suddenly, Rodriguez takes the former champ down. Holloway defends with a guillotine off his back, but pushes his man off of him to stand back up. Holloway marks Rodriguez up with long, reaching punches, and Rodriguez tries to fire back but is out of range. “Blessed” grabs a kick that flies at him, and as soon as it is in the air, Holloway enters into a takedown and hits it. Pushing Rodriguez into the wire on the corner between the ground and the fence, Holloway traps his foe with punches and elbows. Holloway blasts the midsection with his knees along the way, and Rodriguez is able to burst back to his feet right before the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Round 4
Holloway has a large welt on his side, with some serious damage showing from the kicks of his opponent, but he does not even seem to notice. Holloway crashes in to pursue a takedown, and Rodriguez shucks it off but gets punched in the face three times for his effort. Holloway invests in body shots, and Rodriguez is swinging for the fences with full power in every one of his strikes. Holloway walks through a leg kick to land a few punches, and Rodriguez is right there to trade with him fearlessly. They close their range and Holloway ties up with him, but he lets go so that he can work the body. Holloway slams his knee into Rodriguez’s body, and he grips on to a guillotine choke standing up to cinch it up. The former champ uses the choke to press Rodriguez down to the ground, and he nearly takes mount, but settles for half guard with the intent to get right to side control. Holloway lands a few elbows from above, and Rodriguez fires back off his back but the strikes are not nearly as powerful as Holloway’s. “El Pantera” hunts for a leglock, and Holloway stands up, spins around, and climbs back down to secure an odd position between side control and back control. The fighter out of Mexico spins around, threatens with an upkick, and ultimately surrenders a very bad position. Holloway clamps down with three-quarter mount, and all the while, he is battering Rodriguez with ground-and-pound. Possibly through sheer force of will, Rodriguez fights his way back to his feet and walking up the fence. Holloway allows this so that he can tee off on “El Pantera,” taming him with a few punches and evading the counters. Rodriguez swings wide with an elbow, and after a furious exchange, a punch from Holloway with the thumb not secured to his fist pokes into Rodriguez’ eye. Goddard allows Rodriguez to recover, and he does so after a 45-second break. When they resume, Holloway jumps in with a knee, and Rodriguez tries to perform his own version of Fedor Emelianenko vs. Andrei Arlovski with a right hand to counter Holloway on the way in. Holloway’s chin holds together, and he settles down and quickly blocks a flying knee that whizzes at him. They start to trade heavy leather, with Holloway scoring an elbow in close range while Rodriguez headhunts. In close range, Holloway spins with a kick to the body. This seems to energize Rodriguez, who jumps at him with a flying strike and a wild array of looping punches that mostly miss until the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Round 5
Rodriguez’ corner implores their fighter to throw caution to the wind and abandon his gameplan. When they start off the last round, they hug it out, and go right down to trading punches. Holloway lands the cleaner of the strikes, forcing Rodriguez to spin around and kick him in the side. Rodriguez rips the body with a kick, scores two punches, and kicks the same spot one more time. Holloway does not even budge, and instead he strings a trio of punches together. Holloway lands a long chain of punches and punctuates it with a big knee as Rodriguez is up against the wall. Rodriguez is able to gain space, and he steps forward with an elbow that barely registers. The body shots from Holloway draw reactions from his opponent more than the ones to the head, and yet Rodriguez continues to gather himself and throw back. Rodriguez turns a few low kicks into an odd combination, but it lands cleanly and Holloway smiles at him. When Holloway lands a few punches, Rodriguez times a capoeira kick that glances off his guard. The former champ welcomes this, as he pushes Rodriguez to the ground and steps into half guard. As they wrangle for position on the ground, Rodriguez manages to sweep his opponent and get on top. Holloway fights out of a guillotine choke and scoots his way to the fence so that he can stand up, and it is Rodriguez who pursues a single when they are against the wall. Rodriguez nails Holloway with a spinning elbow, and it slashes Holloways’ face open. Holloway works the body with a few knees, and then shoves off so they can get back to kickboxing range. Rodriguez wings a spinning kick that misses, and a right hand does connect. The furious swinging of fists and fingers results in Holloway getting poked in the eye, and Goddard forces him to pause and recover instead of just charging forward. After a few seconds, the match resumes and Holloway pressures him with a few punches. Holloway is wearing it, and he and Rodriguez throw down while Rodriguez is doing everything he can to finish the fight. Holloway just avoids the brunt of the damage with a spinning kick to the torso, and he ties “El Pantera” up on the fence to work him over with clinch strikes. The former champion gets off a few more short strikes until the final bell, and we have miraculously made it to the end of the 25-minute period after a total thriller. After two years away, Rodriguez gave a real accounting of himself, and the judges will have the final say in the matter. With the decision going in favor of the Hawaiian, Holloway celebrates his opponent and gives it up for their hard-fought battle while shouting, “Viva Mexico!” A fight card many were ruing ended up delivering practically from bell to bell, with eight knockouts and nine finishes across 11 bouts. This mid-day card is over, and the next Fight Night will be upon us in a week even as the order of the matchups is still being determined by the UFC. We will be here for it, and we hope you are too.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Rodriguez (48-47 Holloway)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Rodriguez (48-47 Holloway)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Rodriguez (48-47 Holloway)
The Official Result
Max Holloway def. Yair Rodriguez via Unanimous Decision (49-46, 48-47, 48-47)
Expert Picks (7)
Angelo picks Max Holloway to win inside the distance, having placed a one-unit bet at +110. He notes that Holloway's technical striking should cut through Rodriguez's theatrical style. Angelo thinks Holloway will close the distance and avoid the spin attacks, and that Rodriguez's two-year layoff is a factor.
Big Brady is confident in Max Holloway, highlighting his insane volume (7.26 significant strikes per minute) and legendary durability (never knocked down). He notes Rodriguez likely needs a KO to win, but Holloway's chin and cardio are elite. Brady expects Holloway to increase volume each round and predicts a fifth-round TKO as damage accumulates.
Cody believes Holloway is a god-tier operator who dominates non-elite opponents. He references Holloway's record 445 significant strikes against Kattar and argues that his losses are only to the best (Volkanovski, Poirier). He expects Holloway to win inside the distance, likely by TKO in the later rounds, and thinks the over 3.5 rounds is a solid play.
Daniel Levi picks Max Holloway, citing his record-breaking output against Calvin Kattar (447 significant strikes landed) and his status as the clear #2 featherweight. He acknowledges Yair Rodríguez's dynamic striking and finishing ability but believes Holloway's volume and pressure will overwhelm Rodríguez as he fatigues. Levi notes that Rodríguez is a live underdog but ultimately trusts Holloway's proven championship level.
Jacob picks Max Holloway to win inside the distance, placing a four-unit bet at +110. He believes there are levels to this and that Holloway will wear on Rodriguez with volume and finish him. Jacob thinks Holloway wants to make a statement as a big favorite.
Paul thinks Max Holloway's volume and durability are unmatched. He notes Holloway's record-breaking strike output and believes Rodríguez can't keep the pace. He's priced out at -720 but still picks Holloway to win, possibly by late stoppage or decision.
The Guru picks Max Holloway by third-round TKO (doctor stoppage due to swelling). He expects Rodríguez to have a strong first round with leg kicks and flashy strikes, but Holloway's pressure, body work, and oblique kicks will break Rodríguez down. By the third round, Rodríguez's eye will be swollen shut, forcing a stoppage.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Holloway | 0 | 445 of 744 | 59% | 447 of 746 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:27 |
| Calvin Kattar | 0 | 133 of 283 | 47% | 134 of 284 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Holloway | 0 | 56 of 108 | 51% | 56 of 108 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Calvin Kattar | 0 | 24 of 47 | 51% | 24 of 47 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Max Holloway | 0 | 89 of 164 | 54% | 89 of 164 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Calvin Kattar | 0 | 20 of 48 | 41% | 20 of 48 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:03 | |
| 3 | Max Holloway | 0 | 75 of 139 | 53% | 77 of 141 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:13 |
| Calvin Kattar | 0 | 29 of 59 | 49% | 30 of 60 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 4 | Max Holloway | 0 | 141 of 191 | 73% | 141 of 191 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:14 |
| Calvin Kattar | 0 | 34 of 71 | 47% | 34 of 71 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 | |
| 5 | Max Holloway | 0 | 84 of 142 | 59% | 84 of 142 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Calvin Kattar | 0 | 26 of 58 | 44% | 26 of 58 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Holloway | 445 of 744 | 59% | 274 of 553 | 117 of 133 | 54 of 58 | 439 of 737 | 6 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Calvin Kattar | 133 of 283 | 47% | 99 of 237 | 16 of 23 | 18 of 23 | 129 of 279 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Holloway | 56 of 108 | 51% | 30 of 75 | 15 of 20 | 11 of 13 | 56 of 108 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Calvin Kattar | 24 of 47 | 51% | 13 of 34 | 2 of 2 | 9 of 11 | 24 of 47 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Max Holloway | 89 of 164 | 54% | 53 of 127 | 25 of 25 | 11 of 12 | 87 of 161 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Calvin Kattar | 20 of 48 | 41% | 14 of 41 | 4 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 19 of 47 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Max Holloway | 75 of 139 | 53% | 53 of 111 | 13 of 19 | 9 of 9 | 73 of 137 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Calvin Kattar | 29 of 59 | 49% | 25 of 51 | 3 of 5 | 1 of 3 | 28 of 58 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Max Holloway | 141 of 191 | 73% | 89 of 135 | 45 of 48 | 7 of 8 | 139 of 189 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Calvin Kattar | 34 of 71 | 47% | 27 of 63 | 5 of 6 | 2 of 2 | 32 of 69 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Max Holloway | 84 of 142 | 59% | 49 of 105 | 19 of 21 | 16 of 16 | 84 of 142 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Calvin Kattar | 26 of 58 | 44% | 20 of 48 | 2 of 5 | 4 of 5 | 26 of 58 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
The main event of the UFC’s first ABC card should be a stellar one, when former champion “Blessed” Holloway (21-6, 17-6 UFC) looks to get back to his winning ways against heavy-handed boxer “The Boston Finisher” Kattar (22-4, 6-2 UFC). These two featherweights need no more introduction, and referee Herb Dean will handle the particulars as they touch ‘em up to begin the final fight of the night. Holloway sticks out a few jabs, and doubles up on his left hand. Kattar nails Holloway’s lead leg with a kick, but it is one-and-done as Holloway walks forward with a few left hands. Kattar plants his left hand in Holloway’s face and lands a leg kick, and the two trade heavy jabs. The former champ lands low kicks, and he targets the body and head with impunity with long, powerful strikes. Holloway scores another leg kick, and he chains several punches together to the body and head. Kattar lands a leg kick, but Holloway is in his face with punches and a stomp kick to the knee. Kattar lands an effective jab that marks up Holloway’s face, but Holloway comes back at him with at trio of punches ending with a solid right hand. Kattar swings and misses with a big hook, allowing Holloway to tee off on him with five or six punches to the body and head. Both men land left hands at the same time, and Holloway kicks the lead leg twice to decent effect. Holloway rushes in with a stream of punches, and Kattar can only sit back and absorb them, but Kattar cracks Holloway twice with right hands. Holloway marches in with a few long punches that have how marked up Kattar’s face, and a one-two snaps Kattar’s head back. The ex-champ strides in with a knee up the middle, and follows the knee that lands with a few punches. Holloway absorbs a leg kick to land a few punches, and a right hand makes Kattar retreat. Holloway is unafraid to take shots to eat them, as he starts to load up on his punches while Kattar throws with reckless abandon. Holloway fakes high, low, and drills Kattar in the body with a spinning back kick. “Blessed” blesses Kattar with another, and he follows it with a few punches. Holloway gets off a third of these kicks, and a front kick from the former champ ends the round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Round 2
The featherweights do not touch gloves, as they would rather start trading early. Holloway tattoos his fist on Kattar’s face a few times, and Kattar backs away and blocks. Holloway dances out of the way of a front kick to land a barrage of punches, and he is out of the way from a counter. Kattar lands one single punch to the body, and Holloway may have started showboating or he could be reacting to an eye poke. Holloway gets back down to it with punches to the body and head, never throwing single shots as he rips the liver with a left hand. Holloway comes back with a knee up the middle, and then two punches over the top catch Kattar standing still. Kattar slings heavy leather, and some land, but Holloway forces the issue and puts Kattar down with a right hand. Kattar treats it like a slip as he pops back up with no ill effect, and “The Boston Finisher” bites down on his mouthpiece to nail Holloway with a right hand that stuns Holloway momentarily. Kattar lands another, and Holloway wears it well but his pace wanes briefly after absorbing those heavy shots. The former champ spins with another back kick to the body, and he steps in and lands several quick punches in rapid succession. Kattar cracks Holloway with a right hand, and he lands a leg kick to disrupt a responding Holloway. Both men trade ferocious leather, and Holloway works the body fearlessly with knees and punches. Kattar aims for more home run punches, while Holloway is content to touch Kattar repeatedly. A few punches from Holloway have opened up a cut on Kattar’s right eye, which is also showing some swelling fast. Holloway kicks and punches repeatedly, before hurting Kattar with an elbow. The Boston native backs into the cage, and Holloway attacks him ferociously with punches in bunches. Holloway slices open Kattar’s head with another vicious elbow, and he works the body relentlessly while Kattar is reeling. Kattar tries to tie him up and take the fight down, but Holloway stops him and elbows him hard to make Kattar go on rubber legs. Holloway keeps the pace with strike after strike, and slips up a head kick that makes Kattar do the chicken dance. As Holloway looks to finish the fight, the time runs out and both men laugh and high five one another.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Holloway
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-8 Holloway
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-8 Holloway
Round 3
Holloway starts off assaulting the knee with a few kicks, and he switches it up to land a few punches over the top. Kattar tries to wing a left hand, and Holloway comes right back to sting him with a right hand. Holloway puts together a stream of punches as Kattar is hurt again, but the Bostonian grabs hold of Holloway to consider a takedown. Holloway stays in the clinch to get off a few knees, and Kattar elbows him hard. Kattar rips an uppercut that rings Holloway’s bell, and Holloway needs to take a moment to recover. Instead, he winds up on a few huge punches, and both men throw down without a care in the world. Kattar backs off to land a stomp kick to the knee, and a one-two forces Kattar to retreat again. The former champ targets the body with a punch, a body kick, and scores a huge shovel left hook that nearly lifts Kattar off the ground. Holloway brutalizes Kattar with a series of punches, bloodying up “The Boston Finisher” further. Kattar is not to be stopped, as he winds up with a huge right hand that smacks Holloway in the face. The former champ is not fazed as he continues his swarm of punches, forcing Kattar to attempt a takedown and fail. Both men back to the center of the cage, where they throw single strikes to catch their breath. When Holloway lands a leg kick, Kattar pops him with an uppercut. Holloway jumps off the cage like Anthony Pettis to land a punch, and he chains it into several more punches all while dodging the ones that come at him. Holloway sits down on a punch to the body, and Kattar reacts but still comes back at him. Holloway digs his left hand in the liver, and hurts Kattar with another body shot. Holloway lands a right hand to the head and a left to the body, making Kattar back away from the damage. Holloway lands a few punches, dodges three booming shots from Kattar, and points and guides his opponent for where he should be punching instead. A few quick strikes from Holloway end the exciting round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Round 4
Both men land flush jabs to start off the round, and they trade single shots while trying to find their range again. Holloway does not need long, as he plants several punches on the head and torso indiscriminately. Holloway targets the body again, drawing a reaction from Kattar, and he just barely avoids an overhand right that zooms past his chin. Holloway carves up the liver with a left hand, and he backs off Kattar with several punches to the body and head. Kattar is not out of this fight, but Holloway is styling on him as he is tripling up on his opponent. Kattar lands a serious right hand, but Holloway shrugs it off and blasts the liver once more with his heat-seeking left hand. Four punches from Holloway greet Kattar when the Boston native tries to land one. Holloway hurts Kattar with body shots, making Kattar’s hands drop to open him up for elbows up top. Kattar throws back wildly and lands a few, but Holloway wrecks him with strike after ferocious strike. Holloway keeps peppering the body with strikes, and Kattar is barely on his feet. Kattar tries to sling elbows and lands a huge right hand, but Holloway is on him and will not relent. Landing a few knees and some insane elbows along the way, Kattar is keeping it together, but just barely. Holloway tees off on him with an unbelievable amount of strikes, but Kattar survives and even stuffs a takedown. Holloway walks Kattar down and elbows him a few more times, and Kattar gives him one back. Holloway’s body shots are making Kattar react after almost each one, but Kattar slings huge bombs to give Holloway pause. Holloway dodges a spinning back elbow, delivers a spinning back kick to Kattar’s body, and starts working the legs again. Holloway’s head kick makes Kattar go on wobbly legs, and he smacks Kattar with a partial cartwheel kick to the head. A few more punches end the round, but miraculously, Kattar has made it to the bell. One more round to go.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Holloway
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-8 Holloway
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-8 Holloway
Round 5
Kattar can continue in the fifth round, and Holloway nods at him in appreciation. Holloway lands a body shot and a few punches up top, leading Kattar to wind up with a huge right hand that Holloway easily sees coming. Kattar loads up with everything he has left, and Holloway ducks them and sticks him with several punches. Holloway’s jab turns into a body shot, and Holloway turns up the pace again to chase Kattar into the fence. The former champ sticks out a one-two and Kattar tries and fails to give it back to him. Holloway lands several right hands and Kattar is in a bad, bad way as his nose his smashed, face bloodied and he takes blow after blow. Holloway is able to dodge most of the strikes that come retaliatory, and he points at Kattar when Kattar tags him with a few. Holloway takes a deep breath, lands a trio of stomping leg kicks, and puts Kattar into the fence with a spinning back kick. Holloway kicks Kattar in the head and leg, and a few more punches from Holloway lead to possibly record-breaking totals as he chains them together. Kattar’s durability stays intact as he takes a kick to the body, and Holloway points to the commentary booth as he celebrates his successes. Holloway starts up his rhythm again with strikes at every target on Kattar’s body, as Holloway is feeling himself and battering Kattar. He yells for Kattar to go, points at the booth again, and unloads with a litany of punches. Kattar hits him back, and Holloway points at him and laughs. Holloway lands a few more punches, and Kattar is streaming blood but still throwing with all of his remaining energy reserves. Holloway styles on Kattar to end the round impressively, but perhaps even more impressively, Kattar has made it to the final bell. Knowing he has won in blowout fashion, he goes over to Kattar’s corner after the fight is over to shake hands with them and congratulate them for preparing their fighter well. What an incredible fight. Fighters will be hard-pressed to match that Herculean effort for the remainder of 2021. The UFC delivered spectacularly on its first foray into ABC, and this main card – not necessarily the prelims, mind you – will be remembered for quite some time.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Holloway (50-43 Holloway)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Holloway (50-43 Holloway)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Holloway (50-43 Holloway)
The Official Result
Max Holloway def. Calvin Kattar via Unanimous Decision (50-43, 50-43, 50-42)
Expert Picks (4)
Big Brady picks Max Holloway to win by decision. He notes that Holloway has only lost to the best (Volkanovski, Poirier, McGregor) and that Kattar is a big step up in competition. He highlights Kattar's poor striking defense, absorbing more than he lands (5.66 vs 5.01), which is a red flag against Holloway's volume. He also mentions Holloway's motivation after two losses and that he looked great in his last fight. He believes Kattar's only path is a knockout, but Holloway hasn't been knocked out in 27 fights.
Daniel Levi picks Calvin Kattar for the upset, citing Kattar's power and ability to land hard shots that could sway judges. He notes Holloway's ego and emotional issues may have cost him the Volk rematch, and that Holloway absorbs many head strikes. He believes Kattar doesn't need to match volume but land the cleaner, harder shots over five rounds.
Kattar is the more technical striker with crisp hands and a piston-like jab. He matches Holloway in height and reach, which neutralizes Holloway's typical range advantage. Holloway has been hurt in past fights and Kattar has the power to finish. Kattar's cardio held up in a five-round fight against Dan Ige, and his New England Cartel camp is on a hot streak. The main concern is Holloway's volume, but Kattar's cleaner striking should win rounds.
The MMA Guru picks Max Holloway over Calvin Kattar, citing Holloway's improved kicking game, five-round experience, and youth. He notes Kattar's broken nose as a major vulnerability, expecting Holloway to target it with jabs. He predicts Holloway will win four rounds to one, with Kattar taking the first round before Holloway makes adjustments. He also questions Kattar's KO power, noting he hasn't faced a chin like Holloway's.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Volkanovski | 0 | 137 of 272 | 50% | 139 of 275 | 3 of 9 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:26 |
| Max Holloway | 0 | 102 of 268 | 38% | 111 of 277 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexander Volkanovski | 0 | 19 of 39 | 48% | 19 of 39 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Max Holloway | 0 | 19 of 47 | 40% | 19 of 47 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Alexander Volkanovski | 0 | 22 of 47 | 46% | 22 of 47 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Max Holloway | 0 | 21 of 52 | 40% | 21 of 52 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Alexander Volkanovski | 0 | 25 of 52 | 48% | 27 of 54 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:34 |
| Max Holloway | 0 | 15 of 47 | 31% | 18 of 50 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 4 | Alexander Volkanovski | 0 | 34 of 63 | 53% | 34 of 64 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:14 |
| Max Holloway | 0 | 24 of 61 | 39% | 27 of 64 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 5 | Alexander Volkanovski | 0 | 37 of 71 | 52% | 37 of 71 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:38 |
| Max Holloway | 0 | 23 of 61 | 37% | 26 of 64 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Volkanovski | 137 of 272 | 50% | 64 of 161 | 6 of 10 | 67 of 101 | 136 of 265 | 1 of 6 | 0 of 1 |
| Max Holloway | 102 of 268 | 38% | 44 of 167 | 27 of 46 | 31 of 55 | 95 of 258 | 7 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexander Volkanovski | 19 of 39 | 48% | 6 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 13 of 20 | 19 of 39 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Max Holloway | 19 of 47 | 40% | 9 of 28 | 6 of 11 | 4 of 8 | 19 of 47 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Alexander Volkanovski | 22 of 47 | 46% | 6 of 19 | 1 of 3 | 15 of 25 | 22 of 47 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Max Holloway | 21 of 52 | 40% | 6 of 27 | 5 of 9 | 10 of 16 | 21 of 52 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Alexander Volkanovski | 25 of 52 | 48% | 10 of 27 | 3 of 4 | 12 of 21 | 25 of 51 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Max Holloway | 15 of 47 | 31% | 2 of 22 | 6 of 11 | 7 of 14 | 12 of 43 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Alexander Volkanovski | 34 of 63 | 53% | 15 of 38 | 2 of 2 | 17 of 23 | 34 of 62 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Max Holloway | 24 of 61 | 39% | 14 of 45 | 4 of 6 | 6 of 10 | 23 of 59 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Alexander Volkanovski | 37 of 71 | 52% | 27 of 58 | 0 of 1 | 10 of 12 | 36 of 66 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 1 |
| Max Holloway | 23 of 61 | 37% | 13 of 45 | 6 of 9 | 4 of 7 | 20 of 57 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Expert Picks (4)
Big Brady picks Alexander Volkanovski by decision, citing concerns about Holloway's camp (zoom training, lockdown in Hawaii). He thinks Volkanovski is ready and hungry, and can outland Holloway again. He placed a bet on this fight but doesn't reveal it.
Daniel Levi picks Alexander Volkanovski, stating he is simply the better fighter. He praises Volkanovski's fainting game, cardio, strength, and ability to mix takedowns. He believes Holloway's best days are behind him, citing damage from the Poirier fight, concussion issues, and a lack of motivation. He predicts Volkanovski will be the first to knock out Holloway.
Volkanovski is a very smart and efficient fighter who implements game plans well. His leg kicks were the key in the first fight, and Holloway has no answer for them. Volkanovski can use the same strategy again and win. He is durable and confident in the pocket. Picks Volkanovski by decision.
The Guru picks Volkanovski to win again, noting that Holloway's body work in the fourth and fifth rounds of the first fight was against a one-handed Volkanovski. He believes Volkanovski will mix in takedowns and that his pressure and feints will be effective. He also mentions that Volkanovski is not sloppy but calculated.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Volkanovski | 0 | 134 of 303 | 44% | 135 of 304 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Max Holloway | 0 | 157 of 303 | 51% | 157 of 303 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:44 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexander Volkanovski | 0 | 19 of 40 | 47% | 19 of 40 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Max Holloway | 0 | 27 of 56 | 48% | 27 of 56 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:13 | |
| 2 | Alexander Volkanovski | 0 | 22 of 55 | 40% | 22 of 55 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Max Holloway | 0 | 28 of 48 | 58% | 28 of 48 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Alexander Volkanovski | 0 | 22 of 60 | 36% | 22 of 60 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Max Holloway | 0 | 35 of 63 | 55% | 35 of 63 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 4 | Alexander Volkanovski | 0 | 37 of 71 | 52% | 37 of 71 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Max Holloway | 0 | 36 of 75 | 48% | 36 of 75 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:10 | |
| 5 | Alexander Volkanovski | 0 | 34 of 77 | 44% | 35 of 78 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Max Holloway | 0 | 31 of 61 | 50% | 31 of 61 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:21 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Volkanovski | 134 of 303 | 44% | 85 of 233 | 32 of 44 | 17 of 26 | 132 of 301 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Max Holloway | 157 of 303 | 51% | 67 of 178 | 15 of 32 | 75 of 93 | 156 of 302 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexander Volkanovski | 19 of 40 | 47% | 13 of 33 | 4 of 4 | 2 of 3 | 19 of 40 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Max Holloway | 27 of 56 | 48% | 11 of 34 | 3 of 4 | 13 of 18 | 27 of 56 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Alexander Volkanovski | 22 of 55 | 40% | 16 of 46 | 2 of 4 | 4 of 5 | 22 of 55 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Max Holloway | 28 of 48 | 58% | 4 of 19 | 2 of 4 | 22 of 25 | 28 of 48 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Alexander Volkanovski | 22 of 60 | 36% | 13 of 46 | 3 of 4 | 6 of 10 | 22 of 60 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Max Holloway | 35 of 63 | 55% | 14 of 34 | 6 of 12 | 15 of 17 | 35 of 63 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Alexander Volkanovski | 37 of 71 | 52% | 24 of 54 | 9 of 11 | 4 of 6 | 37 of 71 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Max Holloway | 36 of 75 | 48% | 20 of 51 | 1 of 6 | 15 of 18 | 35 of 74 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Alexander Volkanovski | 34 of 77 | 44% | 19 of 54 | 14 of 21 | 1 of 2 | 32 of 75 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Max Holloway | 31 of 61 | 50% | 18 of 40 | 3 of 6 | 10 of 15 | 31 of 61 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Volkanovski (-195), Holloway (+165)
Round 1
Many call this next fight the true main event of UFC 276. While it serves in the co-headlining spot, it is likely that this trilogy match holds more pound-for-pound and legacy relevance for the competitors and the UFC as a whole. Up two fights against his opponent already, Volkanovski (24-1, 11-0 UFC) will look to shut out Holloway (23-6, 19-6 UFC) and cement his place as the greatest featherweight of all time. The rematch in 2020 was extremely close, and some gave it to “Blessed,” so a third victory for the Aussie is far from a foregone conclusion here. The best seat in the house goes to referee Marc Goddard, who receives the honor of officiating what hopes to be a terrific battle. Holloway is fired up in a way that is unusual for him, but he still touches gloves with his foe to seal the cage around them. Buckle up. Holloway is the initial aggressor, backing Volkanovski off and reaching him with a front kick. Holloway lands kicks from both legs, and he steps back when Volkanovski tries to respond. They trade low kicks, and Holloway dips down to jab the body. A “This is Sparta” kick from Holloway comes up short, as does a high kick, and when he sets his leg down, he checks a leg kick. Holloway pokes the lead leg a few times with kicks, and Volkanovski times an uppercut when Holloway aims a punch to the body. Holloway nods that the strike landed, and they trade high kicks shortly thereafter. Volkanovski loads up with a right hand, and Holloway eats it like pineapple and rolls with a few more punches. Volkanovski connects at the end of another solid right hand, and Holloway comes out throwing a body kick but gets his calf smacked on his way in. The leg kicks from both men continue one after the other, and Volkanovski wings two punches that brush past Holloway’s hair. Volkanovski just misses with two looping shots, and Holloway’s head movement is keeping him safe. “The Great” scores a great right hand down the middle, and he scores a few more punches and starts talking to Holloway. Holloway kicks him in the head with a response, but the block is there in time. Volkanovski claims he is too fast for the challenger, and they crash together to throw hard strikes. Volkanovski connects with the heavier blows on the inside, and Holloway cannot find his range or get Volkanovski’s respect. Volkanovski staggers Holloway with a left, and he follows it with a clean right hand to the body. Holloway does not appear flustered, but he is taking damage and not paying the champ back. Holloway ties Volkanovski up and knees him once, and Volkanovski splits off and swipes out a left hand that cuts Holloway’s right eyebrow. Volkanovski begins to brawl, and Holloway obliges him, scoring with a long combination and ending it with a blistering elbow. Volkanovski chops at his leg, and Holloway spins with an elbow that pops Volkanovski upside the head. Volkanovski tells Holloway it was a good one as the horn rounds to end the competitive first round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Volkanovski
Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Volkanovski
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Volkanovski
Round 2
The gloves are touched to start off the second round, and Holloway begins the leg kick assault with one. Volkanovski responds similarly, so Holloway pumps another out to stay busy. Holloway unloads with a right hand, and Volkanovski fires right back to catch Holloway right in front of him. Volkanovski gets off a thudding leg kick, and Holloway is marching through them and looking to trade. Volkanovski counters him on the way forward, with his hands low but left hook ready to go. Holloway misses the mark with a high kick, but a step-in right hand bounces off the champ’s shaved head. They both clip one another with solid right hands, and Volkanovski connects slightly heavier to make Holloway take a step before coming back at him. Holloway lifts his leg up to check a kick emphatically, and he presses forward and walks Volkanovski down. Holloway absorbs a right hand so that he can sling an elbow, and Volkanovski gives him one right back and mashes the former champ against the fence. Holloway fights off takedown attempts, but Volkanovski smashes him in the face with an elbow on the break. Holloway reaches the champion with a right hand, and he takes a few jabs and walks face-first into a right hand. The right hand tears open a cut on the inner eyebrow of Holloway, and blood leaks down in his eye in a very bad place. Volkanovski targets it with several quick strikes, with jabs and follow-up right hands marking it up further. Holloway continues to press ahead with body strikes and the occasional kick to the head or body, and Volkanovski is able to block them but cannot counter. Volkanovski does score an effective low kick to intercept Holloway coming in, and he drills Holloway in the solar plexus with a right. Holloway is not fazed, with his chin holding up well, and his pressure is constant but the volume is lacking. Holloway sneaks in a left and a right, and Volkanovski lets loose with a low kick that makes Holloway stumble. “Blessed” blesses the body with a jumping kick, and he throws a jab and gets tagged with three punches. Volkanovski spins with a kick to the body, and the exciting round ends. The cutman may have his work cut out for him between rounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Volkanovski
Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Volkanovski
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Volkanovski
Round 3
The fight does continue, and the cut is not bleeding – for now. Holloway wades forward to start off the round after a glove touch, and he resumes his forward-heavy approach. Volkanovski pops him with a right hand as Holloway advances, and Volkanovski’s jab finds a home as well. Holloway reaches out with several punches, and a high kick rolls off the champ’s shoulder. Volkanovski beats him to the punch with a few jabs, and the leg kicks come from both men. Holloway nearly corners his opponent, landing a few strikes but missing with the rest, as Volkanovski is rarely in the same spot for long. Holloway reaches him with a left, and he dings him with a shovel uppercut. As Volkanovski targets the body with a straight left, Holloway counters with a head kick. Volkanovski nails Holloway with a right hand, and then another, as Holloway’s eye begins to bleed again. Both eyes are showing damage, as Volkanovski is doing work. Holloway snaps the head back with a left hand, but it is one-and-done as Volkanovski resets. Volkanovski sits down on a four-punch salvo that cleanly lands, and Holloway tries to wing a left hand only for it to go over the head. Holloway steps in with a knee, and Volkanovski ties him up to pursue a body lock and a takedown. The Hawaiian staves it off, and they jockey for position while trading short strikes up close. On the break, Volkanovski spins with an elbow that pounds into the side of Holloway’s head, and Holloway grunts when taking it. Volkanovski keeps loose and light on his feet, jabbing out and following it with a brutal right hand that shakes Holloway up. Volkanovski gets off two punches before Holloway can even connect with one, and he snipes the former champ with a right hand when Holloway kicks the body. Holloway steps in to engage, and while one single right hand catches Volkanovski on the chin, Volkanovski blast him with two in response after they clinch up briefly. Volkanovski tattoos his fists on Holloway’s face while Holloway marches forward, and Holloway zings a high kick that is defended. “Blessed” cracks Volkanovski with a single right hand, and the bell sounds, as Volkanovski looks impressed by the blow.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Volkanovski
Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Volkanovski
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Volkanovski
Round 4
The bleeding cannot be stopped between rounds, but Goddard clears them to continue. The championship rounds draw a big pop from the crowd, and they touch hands before engaging. Holloway swings and misses on his way in, and Volkanovski answers him with several looping punches before pushing the Hawaiian up to the fencing. As they break apart, Volkanovski punches the gut and puts a right hand on the cut spot. Holloway clears his vision to stride forward with a knee on the chin and a right hand to follow, but Volkanovski does not even flinch. Volkanovski catches a body kick and looks for a takedown, but “Blessed” hops back before anything comes from it. Holloway fakes a kick and spins with another, and it brushes past Volkanovski’s shoulder to little effect. Holloway lines up another spinning back kick, and this one lands square on the midsection with its full impact. Volkanovski backs away and takes a front kick up the middle, and Holloway times a left hook. Volkanovski peppers the face with a jab, and Holloway kicks his ribcage once more. Volkanovski cannot catch it, so he settles for loading up on a left and a right hook. Holloway springs forward with a front kick, and Volkanovski darts in for an elbow. Holloway sees this coming and times it perfectly to spin around and take the Aussie’s back, but he cannot ground Volkanovski. Volkanovski keeps himself upright and moves back, where he starts to let his hands go again. The winging punches occasionally connect on Holloway, and now both eyes for the Hawaiian are showing serious damage. Holloway spins with a kick to the torso, and he comes in to throw hammers. Volkanovski is there to answer with every single blow, and his power is the stunning kind while Holloway does not appear to have connected with a staggering blow yet. Holloway releases four wild punches, and even when Volkanovski takes them on the side of the head, he does not budge. Holloway ducks a punch to spin with a kick to the liver, and Volkanovski keeps jabbing him to damage the eye further. Holloway spins multiple times with inaccurate kicks, and the horn blares to conclude the round. They meet in the middle to congratulate one another after 20 minutes of violence, and one more round remains.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Volkanovski
Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Volkanovski
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Volkanovski
Round 5
The last round, and what very well could be the concrete conclusion to the trilogy, commences with a touch of gloves. Holloway is ready to attack, and he wades forward with punches before setting up a single-leg takedown entry. Volkanovski easily stuffs it and turns Holloway around, where he looks for a body lock but settles to knee the former champ in the chest. Volkanovski winds up with a heavy leg kick that makes Holloway partially turn, and he connects with a kick to the body. Volkanovski suddenly goes up high with a kick, and even Holloway is surprised by the quick strike. Volkanovski scores a pair of low kicks that draws a limp from Holloway, and Holloway is walking forward while his offense dwindles. Volkanovski jabs several times to intercept Holloway on the way in, and Holloway comes up short when whipping a head kick over the top. Holloway ducks a right hook to go after a takedown, and “The Great” comfortably stops him and turns him around. Volkanovski breaks away so that he can slug Holloway in the face with two rights, and Holloway has opened a small cut on the corner of Volkanovski’s left eye for the slightest of moral victories. Holloway comes up hitting air when Holloway lunges with jabs and kicks. Volkanovski takes a solid kick to the body, and he prods “Blessed” with frustrating jabs. Holloway wipes his eyes every so often, with the blood clearly obstructing his vision, and Volkanovski uses this opportunity to punch Holloway cleanly several times. Holloway blindly lets go with a high kick, and Volkanovski is easily out of the way and able to counter with a chopping leg kick. Holloway tries to duck a punch, but he inadvertently ducks right into it. Holloway takes two jabs on the chin to let go with a looping left hand, and with seconds to spare, Holloway calls for a brawl. Volkanovski obliges him, lands more effectively, and dances out of the way until the final horn sounds throughout the T-Mobile Arena. Barring something completely absurd, Volkanovski has done the incredible and completely shut Holloway down. The conversation for the greatest featherweight of all time may now be wide open, after a master class from “The Great.” Volkanovski then announces his intentions to move up to lightweight to vie for simultaneous double-champ status. The Aussie claims he is willing to stay busy and keep both divisions active, and he calls for a fight with Charles Oliveira or anyone that is vying for the vacant title.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Volkanovski (50-45 Volkanovski)
Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Volkanovski (50-45 Volkanovski)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Volkanovski (50-45 Volkanovski)
The Official Result
Alexander Volkanovski def. Max Holloway via Unanimous Decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Holloway | 0 | 129 of 328 | 39% | 131 of 330 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Frankie Edgar | 0 | 96 of 264 | 36% | 96 of 264 | 1 of 15 | 6% | 0 | 0 | 1:46 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Holloway | 0 | 13 of 48 | 27% | 13 of 48 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Frankie Edgar | 0 | 18 of 53 | 33% | 18 of 53 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Max Holloway | 0 | 27 of 69 | 39% | 27 of 69 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Frankie Edgar | 0 | 13 of 55 | 23% | 13 of 55 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:05 | |
| 3 | Max Holloway | 0 | 30 of 61 | 49% | 30 of 61 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Frankie Edgar | 0 | 17 of 48 | 35% | 17 of 48 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 0:59 | |
| 4 | Max Holloway | 0 | 29 of 76 | 38% | 31 of 78 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Frankie Edgar | 0 | 22 of 47 | 46% | 22 of 47 | 0 of 6 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:28 | |
| 5 | Max Holloway | 0 | 30 of 74 | 40% | 30 of 74 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Frankie Edgar | 0 | 26 of 61 | 42% | 26 of 61 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:14 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Holloway | 129 of 328 | 39% | 109 of 295 | 20 of 33 | 0 of 0 | 120 of 319 | 8 of 8 | 1 of 1 |
| Frankie Edgar | 96 of 264 | 36% | 57 of 195 | 21 of 48 | 18 of 21 | 93 of 252 | 2 of 10 | 1 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Holloway | 13 of 48 | 27% | 9 of 42 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 13 of 48 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Frankie Edgar | 18 of 53 | 33% | 10 of 40 | 3 of 8 | 5 of 5 | 18 of 51 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Max Holloway | 27 of 69 | 39% | 22 of 60 | 5 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 26 of 68 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Frankie Edgar | 13 of 55 | 23% | 8 of 44 | 1 of 6 | 4 of 5 | 12 of 53 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Max Holloway | 30 of 61 | 49% | 22 of 52 | 8 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 22 of 53 | 7 of 7 | 1 of 1 |
| Frankie Edgar | 17 of 48 | 35% | 10 of 36 | 6 of 10 | 1 of 2 | 15 of 43 | 1 of 3 | 1 of 2 | |
| 4 | Max Holloway | 29 of 76 | 38% | 27 of 72 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 29 of 76 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Frankie Edgar | 22 of 47 | 46% | 14 of 35 | 6 of 9 | 2 of 3 | 22 of 45 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Max Holloway | 30 of 74 | 40% | 29 of 69 | 1 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 30 of 74 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Frankie Edgar | 26 of 61 | 42% | 15 of 40 | 5 of 15 | 6 of 6 | 26 of 60 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
The UFC 240 headliner features defending featherweight champ Holloway (20-4, 16-4 UFC) finally facing off against Edgar (23-6-1, 17-6-1 UFC) after a pair of scuttled attempts to make this fight. Assigned to the main event is referee Herb Dean. Edgar tries to find his range as he throws a jab that is short and a low kick. Edgar crashes in with a blitz and does not land with anything significant. Edgar fakes for a takedown to force Holloway to retreat. Holloway lands a jab to the body, and the follows it up with two jabs up top. Edgar lands a body kick and Max misses on the counter. Holloway drops and throws an uppercut that lands flush on Edgar's chin. Edgar leaps forward and throws a combination, and clips Holloway with a left hand. Holloway throws a right hand that stings Edgar while Edgar is moving forward, and then leaps forward to land a punch on Edgar's body. Edgar chases Holloway against the fence, but Holloway circles out and eats a leg kick on the way out. Holloway lands another uppercut that tags Edgar right on the chin. Another low kick lands for Edgar, as Holloway nods at his foe. Holloway whiffs with a head kick, and Edgar returns fire with one that is blocked by Holloway. The horn sounds and the first round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Ant Walker scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Round 2
Holloway comes out of his corner firing with a few jabs, and Edgar answers with a combination punctuated with a low kick. Holloway slips inside and lands a powerful punch to the body. Edgar is scoring leg kicks, while Holloway looks to counter with his uppercut. Edgar shoots for a takedown and almost gets Holloway to the ground before bouncing off the cage, and Holloway escapes. Holloway lands a stiff one-two that causes blood to trickle from Edgar's nose. Holloway keeps his distance and lands a strong left hand while Edgar falls short on the counter. Edgar presses forward and is again stuffed when trying for a takedown. Holloway throws a long right hand that catches Edgar cleanly. Holloway sticks his jab in the face of Edgar repeatedly, and Edgar tries to throw a head kick in response but falls short. Edgar shoots for another takedown but is stood up by Holloway, who will have nothing to do with Edgar's wrestling. Holloway blasts Edgar with a spinning back kick to the chest to end the round, and Holloway salutes Edgar as they return to their corners.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Ant Walker scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Round 3
Edgar starts the round off strong by going after a takedown, but Holloway shakes it off. Holloway doubles up on his left jab as Edgar backs away. Edgar is starting to show a little damage as some swelling presents itself on the side of Edgar's left eye. Edgar fakes for another takedown but nothing doing, and Max fakes for one of his own to cause Edgar to flinch. Edgar throws a lengthy combination but hits nothing but air on the way in. Edgar lands a spinning back kick to Holloway's body, and then follows up with a right hand. Holloway makes Edgar pay with his takedown attempts with a stinging right hand and knee. Holloway lands a few punches, and an uppercut sends Edgar's mouthpiece flying. Holloway chases Edgar across the cage landing strikes, but in the exchange Edgar secures his first takedown of the fight. Holloway stands up as the horn sounds and the third round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Ant Walker scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Round 4
Holloway starts the round aggressively, putting Edgar on his back foot early. Edgar throws back and gets Holloway to back off for a moment. Holloway crowds Edgar as Edgar lands a counter right hand. Edgar leaps forward and cracks him with a right hand, and Holloway gives it back with several jabs. Edgar shoots for a takedown but Holloway spins out, and Edgar follows that attempt with one more that pushes Holloway against the cage. As they reach the fence, the crowd starts chanting "Holloway" as Holloway scores a solid combination that causes Edgar's nose to bleed more. Edgar throws two body kicks but both are blocked, and Holloway wings a head kick that passes just above Edgar's head. The two go jab-for-jab multiple times, and Edgar lands a four-punch combination. Holloway returns with a much more emphatic combination that appears to have hurt Edgar. Edgar tries for another takedown to end the round with one, but Holloway does not allow it to happen. Like the end of the second stanza, Holloway scores a spinning back kick right before the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Ant Walker scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Round 5
The final round kicks off with a few kicks from Edgar that keep Holloway at bay. Edgar commits to a takedown but Holloway defends it well and escapes. On his way in, Edgar eats a few punches from Holloway, who is using his reach advantage to full effect. Holloway lands his jab several more times to frustrate Edgar. Edgar lands a right hand but Holloway continues to stalk him down. Edgar tries to take Holloway down once more and Holloway sprawls and briefs looks for a submission attempt in the center of the cage until they break apart. Holloway times Edgar's entry with a strong right hand, and then follows that with two more to give Edgar pause. Edgar crowd Holloway and tries to unload on him, but Holloway gets back to his preferred range. Edgar throws a spinning back fist, but Holloway blocks it and then lets his hands drop low. Holloway is standing directly in front of Edgar with his chin in the air and Edgar cannot land anything of note. Holloway throws a spinning kick and Edgar tries to take advantage of the timing and secure one last takedown, but Holloway's defense holds up yet again. The fight ends and the fighters embrace, as Holloway likely records a successful defense in a tough decision over the ultra-durable Edgar.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Holloway (50-45 Holloway)
Ant Walker scores the round: 10-9 Holloway (50-45 Holloway)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Holloway (50-45 Holloway)
The Official Result
Max Holloway def. Frankie Edgar via Unanimous Decision (50-45, 49-46, 48-47)
Apr 13, 2019
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dustin Poirier | 0 | 181 of 446 | 40% | 208 of 473 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:06 |
| Max Holloway | 0 | 178 of 381 | 46% | 180 of 383 | 1 of 8 | 12% | 0 | 0 | 3:35 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dustin Poirier | 0 | 30 of 72 | 41% | 30 of 72 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Max Holloway | 0 | 54 of 115 | 46% | 54 of 115 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Dustin Poirier | 0 | 32 of 89 | 35% | 32 of 89 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Max Holloway | 0 | 31 of 74 | 41% | 31 of 74 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Dustin Poirier | 0 | 53 of 111 | 47% | 61 of 119 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Max Holloway | 0 | 33 of 68 | 48% | 33 of 68 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:53 | |
| 4 | Dustin Poirier | 0 | 42 of 89 | 47% | 55 of 102 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Max Holloway | 0 | 34 of 64 | 53% | 36 of 66 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 1:30 | |
| 5 | Dustin Poirier | 0 | 24 of 85 | 28% | 30 of 91 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Max Holloway | 0 | 26 of 60 | 43% | 26 of 60 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:12 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dustin Poirier | 181 of 446 | 40% | 141 of 394 | 39 of 50 | 1 of 2 | 167 of 425 | 14 of 21 | 0 of 0 |
| Max Holloway | 178 of 381 | 46% | 153 of 349 | 18 of 24 | 7 of 8 | 165 of 365 | 13 of 16 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dustin Poirier | 30 of 72 | 41% | 28 of 69 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 30 of 71 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Max Holloway | 54 of 115 | 46% | 46 of 105 | 6 of 8 | 2 of 2 | 45 of 105 | 9 of 10 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Dustin Poirier | 32 of 89 | 35% | 20 of 68 | 12 of 21 | 0 of 0 | 32 of 89 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Max Holloway | 31 of 74 | 41% | 29 of 70 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 2 | 31 of 74 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Dustin Poirier | 53 of 111 | 47% | 44 of 102 | 8 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 45 of 103 | 8 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
| Max Holloway | 33 of 68 | 48% | 27 of 61 | 4 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 32 of 67 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Dustin Poirier | 42 of 89 | 47% | 32 of 78 | 10 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 38 of 81 | 4 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
| Max Holloway | 34 of 64 | 53% | 29 of 58 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 31 of 60 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Dustin Poirier | 24 of 85 | 28% | 17 of 77 | 7 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 22 of 81 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Max Holloway | 26 of 60 | 43% | 22 of 55 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 26 of 59 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Holloway | 0 | 290 of 490 | 59% | 307 of 507 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:16 |
| Brian Ortega | 0 | 110 of 292 | 37% | 112 of 294 | 2 of 11 | 18% | 0 | 0 | 2:25 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Holloway | 0 | 40 of 84 | 47% | 46 of 90 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Brian Ortega | 0 | 19 of 65 | 29% | 19 of 65 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:22 | |
| 2 | Max Holloway | 0 | 66 of 126 | 52% | 66 of 126 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Brian Ortega | 0 | 33 of 92 | 35% | 33 of 92 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Max Holloway | 0 | 50 of 84 | 59% | 54 of 88 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Brian Ortega | 0 | 30 of 81 | 37% | 32 of 83 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:05 | |
| 4 | Max Holloway | 0 | 134 of 196 | 68% | 141 of 203 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:16 |
| Brian Ortega | 0 | 28 of 54 | 51% | 28 of 54 | 0 of 5 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:58 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Holloway | 290 of 490 | 59% | 244 of 430 | 41 of 55 | 5 of 5 | 281 of 479 | 8 of 10 | 1 of 1 |
| Brian Ortega | 110 of 292 | 37% | 87 of 267 | 16 of 18 | 7 of 7 | 101 of 282 | 9 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Holloway | 40 of 84 | 47% | 30 of 70 | 10 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 39 of 83 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Brian Ortega | 19 of 65 | 29% | 13 of 59 | 3 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 18 of 64 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Max Holloway | 66 of 126 | 52% | 60 of 118 | 3 of 5 | 3 of 3 | 66 of 126 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Brian Ortega | 33 of 92 | 35% | 29 of 88 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 31 of 90 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Max Holloway | 50 of 84 | 59% | 44 of 76 | 4 of 6 | 2 of 2 | 50 of 82 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Brian Ortega | 30 of 81 | 37% | 23 of 73 | 4 of 5 | 3 of 3 | 27 of 77 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Max Holloway | 134 of 196 | 68% | 110 of 166 | 24 of 30 | 0 of 0 | 126 of 188 | 7 of 7 | 1 of 1 |
| Brian Ortega | 28 of 54 | 51% | 22 of 47 | 5 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 25 of 51 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Holloway and Ortega are both grinning as their names are announced. Yves Lavigne will preside over the first undisputed featherweight title fight in UFC history not to involve Jose Aldo. The future of the division is now. They touch gloves. Holloway sets up in an orthodox stance, Ortega switching in and out of orthodox. The initial exchanges are tentative, but Ortega willing to stand in the pocket. A minute in, the Canadian crowd briefly fires up a chant of “Holloway!” Halfway through, Ortega is circling outside while Holloway cuts angles. The “Holloway” chants resume for a moment. A minute later, Ortega steps inside on a combination and drops levels. He gets Holloway down, but the champ quickly escapes to his feet and is shaking his head as they reengage. Holloway is more aggressive in the late going, sticking Ortega with lefts and rights. Ortega goes for another takedown late but is denied. The horn sounds on a very tense Round 1. 10-9 Holloway.
Round 2
Holloway marches forward to open the second round, throwing jabs, straights and a stinging low kick. Through 60 seconds, Holloway is controlling the action on the feet. Ortega is bleeding from the nose. He dives for a takedown and Holloway is nowhere to be found. Holloway appears to have all the momentum, yet Ortega is still there in the pocket, landing counters. Halfway through it’s all Holloway, landing punches with both hands from a variety of angles. Ortega is throwing back but Holloway’s reach, footwork and stamina are beginning to tell. With 30 seconds left, it’s Ortega coming forward, throwing punches, but Holloway evades almost all of them. The horn sounds and Ortega points downward, mouthing “This is my Octagon.” 10-9 Holloway.
Round 3
Ortega comes forward, throwing one-twos. Holloway gives ground, circles and tags Ortega with a counter right. Ortega nails Holloway with a punch that leaves him wobbled, then another. Ortega chases Holloway to the fence, and gets him to the ground. He moves to the back and looks for Holloway’s neck, but Holloway recovers and escapes. They exchange on the feet, with both men landing hard shots, but Ortega looks to have some momentum. With two minutes left, Ortega is clinching with Holloway against the fence. Holloway is landing level elbows at phone-booth range. In the last 30 seconds, it is Ortega coming forward, throwing punches. They finish with Ortega pushing Holloway into the fence. 10-9 Ortega.
Round 4
Holloway comes out southpaw with much more pronounced head movement and makes Ortega miss badly in the first few exchanges. Ortega is game, throwing back, but Holloway starts to throw long five, six and seven-punch combinations. Ortega’s face is a mess, his left eye swollen shut. Ortega looks out of it yet keep throwing back, nailing Holloway every time it looks as though it might be over. At the halfway point, Ortega rushes Holloway and grabs a bodylock but can’t manage to get it to the ground. They clinch against the fence. The crowd chants Holloway’s name. With 90 seconds left, Holloway has busted Ortega up with what feels like 500 punches this round. Ortega briefly attempts to jump guard, but Holloway stays upright. Holloway punishes Ortega’s body some more, attempts to go for the finish, and has a leg grabbed by the Gracie jiu-jitsu prodigy. Holloway wisely disengages. They trade until the horn.
Between rounds, the cageside doctor stops the fight due to the condition of Ortega’s left eye. Max Holloway retains his UFC featherweight title in a sensational performance.
The Official Result
Max Holloway def. Brian Ortega R4 5:00 via TKO (Doctor Stoppage)
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Holloway | 0 | 174 of 397 | 43% | 181 of 406 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:46 |
| José Aldo | 0 | 87 of 163 | 53% | 89 of 165 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Holloway | 0 | 25 of 89 | 28% | 25 of 89 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| José Aldo | 0 | 18 of 48 | 37% | 18 of 48 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Max Holloway | 0 | 41 of 104 | 39% | 42 of 105 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| José Aldo | 0 | 31 of 52 | 59% | 32 of 53 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Max Holloway | 0 | 108 of 204 | 52% | 114 of 212 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:46 |
| José Aldo | 0 | 38 of 63 | 60% | 39 of 64 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Holloway | 174 of 397 | 43% | 135 of 349 | 36 of 45 | 3 of 3 | 144 of 356 | 16 of 18 | 14 of 23 |
| José Aldo | 87 of 163 | 53% | 65 of 133 | 13 of 21 | 9 of 9 | 84 of 159 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Holloway | 25 of 89 | 28% | 20 of 83 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 25 of 89 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| José Aldo | 18 of 48 | 37% | 10 of 36 | 6 of 10 | 2 of 2 | 17 of 47 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Max Holloway | 41 of 104 | 39% | 29 of 87 | 11 of 16 | 1 of 1 | 36 of 98 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| José Aldo | 31 of 52 | 59% | 19 of 36 | 6 of 10 | 6 of 6 | 31 of 52 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Max Holloway | 108 of 204 | 52% | 86 of 179 | 21 of 24 | 1 of 1 | 83 of 169 | 11 of 12 | 14 of 23 |
| José Aldo | 38 of 63 | 60% | 36 of 61 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 36 of 60 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Holloway | 0 | 55 of 113 | 48% | 56 of 115 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| José Aldo | 1 | 104 of 207 | 50% | 128 of 234 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:04 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Holloway | 0 | 19 of 35 | 54% | 19 of 35 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| José Aldo | 0 | 12 of 32 | 37% | 12 of 32 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Max Holloway | 0 | 29 of 55 | 52% | 29 of 55 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| José Aldo | 0 | 28 of 78 | 35% | 28 of 78 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Max Holloway | 0 | 7 of 23 | 30% | 8 of 25 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| José Aldo | 1 | 64 of 97 | 65% | 88 of 124 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:04 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Holloway | 55 of 113 | 48% | 41 of 93 | 13 of 19 | 1 of 1 | 53 of 111 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| José Aldo | 104 of 207 | 50% | 87 of 185 | 16 of 21 | 1 of 1 | 61 of 149 | 2 of 3 | 41 of 55 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Holloway | 19 of 35 | 54% | 13 of 27 | 5 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 18 of 34 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| José Aldo | 12 of 32 | 37% | 7 of 25 | 5 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 31 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Max Holloway | 29 of 55 | 52% | 23 of 47 | 6 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 29 of 55 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| José Aldo | 28 of 78 | 35% | 21 of 68 | 7 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 28 of 78 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Max Holloway | 7 of 23 | 30% | 5 of 19 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 22 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| José Aldo | 64 of 97 | 65% | 59 of 92 | 4 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 21 of 40 | 2 of 2 | 41 of 55 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Herb Dean is the referee for tonight's 145-pound championship main event. Holloway comes out slinging right hands, trying to split Aldo's mitts with a straight shot down the middle. Aldo, meanwhile, just slides backward, allowing the champion to dictate the pace here in the early going. Holloway counters an Aldo low kick with a short left hand to the chin of the Brazilian. Aldo comes over the top with a right hand, lands another chopping low kicks and gets taunted by Holloway with hands raised. Holloway sticks a jab, slides backward to avoid a murderous right hand from Aldo. Body shot lands for Aldo, and now it's the former champ pressing forward on Holloway. Aldo is already showing some damage underneath his right eye from the jab of Holloway. Inside the final minute of round one, Holloway continues to duck in and out of range, flashing his jab while avoiding Aldo's power punches. Holloway starts showboating in the final 10 seconds and is made to pay by Aldo with a lead uppercut.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Holloway
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Aldo
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Holloway
Round 2
Aldo is doing some work on Holloway's lead leg early in round two, winding up and chopping the champion's left knee with some heavy shots. Holloway seems unfazed by the strikes as he continues to press forward cautiously on the Brazilian with jabs and faints. Aldo goes to the body with a left hook and eats a counter left from Holloway on the other side. Two more low kicks from Aldo have Holloway stepping a little more gingerly on his left leg. Holloway tries to clinch and gets tossed away by the challenger, who rips a left hand into the Hawaiian's body. Holloway tries to catch the next low kick but only succeeds in making Aldo take a few steps backward. Holloway clinches up on the fence with 40 seconds left, then steps back and throws a grazing spinning back kick. Holloway puts a clean one-two on Aldo in the center of the cage, but Aldo gets a glove up to block a left high kick. Holloway tries a flying knee in the last 10 seconds but can't find the chin of Aldo.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Aldo
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Holloway
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Aldo
Round 3
Holloway sticks a left hand into Aldo's breadbasket, but he stays in the pocket too long and gets a knee to the jaw from the Brazilian. Aldo lands a leg kick but has to backpedal as Holloway blitzes him with a combination. Holloway crouches low, hands by his sides, and creeps toward Aldo, inviting him to punch. When Aldo does open up to throw, Holloway comes right back with counterstrikes that back up Aldo against the fence. Aldo is fighting with his mouth wide open as he puts up his left hand to block a Holloway high kick. Meanwhile, Holloway is starting to pour it on, snapping Aldo's head back with precise right hands. Aldo is starting to look wobbly as he continues to absorb punches from the champion. Holloway goes up top with a straight right hand, then rips a left hand to the body. Aldo's head is getting rocked from side to side as referee Dean takes a close look from a few feet away. A desperate takedown attempt from Aldo leads to Holloway forcing him to the ground and wailing on him with ground-and-pound. The ref tells Aldo to fight back or else the fight will be stopped. Aldo is a bloody mess, looking exhausted and barely able to defend himself, and now the fight is waved off. Max Holloway defends his UFC featherweight title with a second brutal stoppage of former 145-pound king Jose Aldo.
The Official Result
Max Holloway def. Jose Aldo via TKO (Punches) R3 4:51
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Holloway | 1 | 94 of 208 | 45% | 98 of 212 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:37 |
| Anthony Pettis | 0 | 53 of 158 | 33% | 55 of 160 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:24 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Holloway | 0 | 23 of 58 | 39% | 23 of 58 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Anthony Pettis | 0 | 19 of 56 | 33% | 19 of 56 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:01 | |
| 2 | Max Holloway | 1 | 26 of 63 | 41% | 29 of 66 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:11 |
| Anthony Pettis | 0 | 15 of 51 | 29% | 16 of 52 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:54 | |
| 3 | Max Holloway | 0 | 45 of 87 | 51% | 46 of 88 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:26 |
| Anthony Pettis | 0 | 19 of 51 | 37% | 20 of 52 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:29 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Holloway | 94 of 208 | 45% | 48 of 143 | 29 of 41 | 17 of 24 | 76 of 188 | 16 of 18 | 2 of 2 |
| Anthony Pettis | 53 of 158 | 33% | 25 of 100 | 17 of 44 | 11 of 14 | 53 of 156 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Holloway | 23 of 58 | 39% | 11 of 36 | 2 of 8 | 10 of 14 | 23 of 58 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Anthony Pettis | 19 of 56 | 33% | 9 of 36 | 4 of 13 | 6 of 7 | 19 of 56 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Max Holloway | 26 of 63 | 41% | 9 of 41 | 12 of 15 | 5 of 7 | 16 of 52 | 8 of 9 | 2 of 2 |
| Anthony Pettis | 15 of 51 | 29% | 8 of 31 | 4 of 16 | 3 of 4 | 15 of 50 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Max Holloway | 45 of 87 | 51% | 28 of 66 | 15 of 18 | 2 of 3 | 37 of 78 | 8 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
| Anthony Pettis | 19 of 51 | 37% | 8 of 33 | 9 of 15 | 2 of 3 | 19 of 50 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Yves Lavigne is the referee for tonight's 145-pound interim title bout, in which only Max Holloway is eligible to win gold due to Anthony Pettis missing weight. Holloway takes the center of the cage and trades a few leg kicks with Pettis, who tests the range with a jab. Pettis throws a pair of low kicks and then goes to the body with a switch kick to finish a lovely combination. Holloway takes a big step forward to create space and then slings a long right hand into Pettis' breadbasket. Pettis knocks the Hawaiian backward with a spinning kick to the midsection, but Holloway comes right back to clip Pettis with a straight right. Down to the final 90 seconds of the opening round, the featherweights continue to dance in and out of range. Holloway scores with a left hook, and Pettis shoots for a takedown just before the horn but can't complete it.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Holloway
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Holloway
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Holloway
Round 2
Holloway scores a knockdown with a straight right early in round two, but Pettis is alert as soon as he hits the ground. Holloway backs up, allowing Pettis to stand, and now it's Pettis pushing forward, walking down "Blessed" with punches and stomping kicks. Holloway continues to get the better of the exchanges with his counterpunches, however, and the right eye of Pettis looks to be swelling rapidly as it continues to absorb strikes. Halfway through the round, Pettis keeps walking forward and keeps walking into punches from Holloway, now aimed mostly at the body of the former lightweight champ. Holloway, by contrast, seems to be absorbing relatively little damage as he works off his back foot, though Pettis is landing some solid kicks to the midsection. Holloway slips another punch, feeds Pettis a combination, but "Showtime" walks through the strikes to wrap up the Hawaiian on the fence. Pettis drops to try a single-leg, switches to a double but has his hands peeled away. Holloway tries to spin away but is still tied up by Pettis at the end of the round.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Holloway
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Holloway
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Holloway
Round 3
Pettis forces Holloway backward with front kicks to the body, but as soon as Holloway's back nears the fence, the Hawaiian pushes back to the center and slugs Pettis with a left hand. The featherweights tie up and Holloway throws a knee inside which lands on Pettis' cup. Pettis is hurt but recovers quickly; he comes back and gets his guard split by a Holloway right hand. They tie up briefly, Pettis separating with a high kick which narrowly misses. Holloway hits a nifty foot sweep with 3:15 left in the round but allows Pettis to stand right away. Pettis gets an underhook and pushes Holloway against the fence, where Holloway may be looking to tee up Pettis for a knee. Pettis keeps his head tucked and eventually breaks away with just over two minutes remaining. Holloway lands a hard kick to the body, a ripping left hand to the gut. "Blessed" hits the trip again and comes down to the ground, but again he allows Pettis to stand. Holloway is scoring consistently with kicks to the body, and now Pettis is hurt, backing up to the wall. Pettis is doubled over as Holloway swings away: a left to the temple, a right to the body, left to the body, then more and more punches until finally referee Yves Lavigne pulls him away. Max Holloway takes the UFC interim featherweight title and will attempt to unify the belts when he fights Jose Aldo in 2017.
The Official Result
Max Holloway def. Anthony Pettis via TKO (Kick to the Body and Punches) R3 4:50
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Holloway | 0 | 103 of 205 | 50% | 111 of 213 | 0 of 0 | --- | 2 | 0 | 1:37 |
| Ricardo Lamas | 0 | 64 of 135 | 47% | 66 of 137 | 0 of 6 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:44 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Holloway | 0 | 25 of 48 | 52% | 26 of 49 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:20 |
| Ricardo Lamas | 0 | 18 of 36 | 50% | 18 of 36 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:25 | |
| 2 | Max Holloway | 0 | 42 of 74 | 56% | 46 of 78 | 0 of 0 | --- | 2 | 0 | 1:09 |
| Ricardo Lamas | 0 | 19 of 44 | 43% | 20 of 45 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:04 | |
| 3 | Max Holloway | 0 | 36 of 83 | 43% | 39 of 86 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
| Ricardo Lamas | 0 | 27 of 55 | 49% | 28 of 56 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Holloway | 103 of 205 | 50% | 80 of 179 | 12 of 12 | 11 of 14 | 82 of 181 | 11 of 13 | 10 of 11 |
| Ricardo Lamas | 64 of 135 | 47% | 35 of 103 | 4 of 4 | 25 of 28 | 57 of 127 | 6 of 7 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Holloway | 25 of 48 | 52% | 17 of 38 | 4 of 4 | 4 of 6 | 22 of 44 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Ricardo Lamas | 18 of 36 | 50% | 4 of 21 | 4 of 4 | 10 of 11 | 16 of 33 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Max Holloway | 42 of 74 | 56% | 34 of 66 | 4 of 4 | 4 of 4 | 30 of 60 | 2 of 3 | 10 of 11 |
| Ricardo Lamas | 19 of 44 | 43% | 13 of 37 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 7 | 18 of 43 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | |
| 3 | Max Holloway | 36 of 83 | 43% | 29 of 75 | 4 of 4 | 3 of 4 | 30 of 77 | 6 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Ricardo Lamas | 27 of 55 | 49% | 18 of 45 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 10 | 23 of 51 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Holloway presses out from the center of the cage, reaching out his long jab and getting a kick to the lead leg in return. He catches Lamas throwing a leg kick and nearly takes out the base of “The Bully,” but both men stay upright. Lamas is moving to his right around the outside, toward the power hand of the southpaw, and Holloway is using the momentum to land some hard lefts. Lamas covers up after one attack, so Holloway gives him a few rib roasters instead. Lamas barges off the fence, diving on a double-leg, but Holloway sprawls all over it and forces him to the ground. Lamas is twisted up underneath the Hawaiian but still glued to a single-leg, so Holloway opts to return to his feet. Another single-leg attempt from Lamas gets Holloway hopping on one leg, scooting backward to defend the shot against the cage. Holloway plants his feet in the gap at the base of the Octagon, and eventually Lamas is forced to give up on the takedown attempt. Holloway finishes strong, forcing Lamas to deflect a spinning kick and tapping him with a right hook on the chin.
Sherdog Scores
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Holloway
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Holloway
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Holloway
Round 2
The featherweights trade leg kicks in the opening minute before Lamas ties up and puts a few punches on Holloway’s body. Holloway goes right back to stalking Lamas around the edge of the cage, keeping the WEC vet’s back near the fence. It’s a relatively slow couple of minutes before Holloway explodes into a flurry of knees and long punches, zapping Lamas with more than one hard right hand. Holloway seems content to take Lamas’ return fire as long as he’s scoring with shots, too. Lamas dives for a takedown and gets headlocked, then spun to the ground, with Holloway landing in north-south position. Lamas wraps up Holloway by the waist and tries to sweep, but he only manages to get his back on the mat. Both fighters work back to their feet with just over 90 seconds left in the round. Lamas, now bleeding from the nose, comes over the top with a right hand. Holloway waits for him to come inside again and gives him a snappy pair of slapping punches to the sides of the face. Lamas tries another single-leg, switches to a double and winds up in a bizarre reverse-guillotine choke while seated on the ground. Holloway releases and switches to a rear-naked choke, but he’s only got one hook in and Lamas is able to slide free. Holloway spends the last 20 seconds dropping punches and elbows on his defensive opponent.
Sherdog Scores
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Holloway
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Holloway
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Holloway
Round 3
Lamas tries a capoeira kick as he attempts to string together some offense in the final frame, but Holloway easily avoids the strike. Stiff jab lands for Holloway, then he blocks a Lamas high kick and pops him with another. The Hawaiian’s reach continues to cause trouble for Lamas here in the third round, with Holloway able to reach in and touch Lamas without much fear of retaliation. Lamas tries to clinch and gets shoved against the fence, then released. He puts a right high kick on Holloway’s ear, but there’s not much behind it and Holloway just keeps coming. Holloway connects with an uppercut, then jacks Lamas’ jaw with a blistering left straight. Lamas looks to be in trouble as he grabs hold of Holloway’s legs and forces him against the cage. Holloway shoves him away, and the featherweights come back to the center for the final 20 seconds. It’s all mean-mugging and gunslinging from Holloway as he stands toe-to-toe with Lamas, both men throwing bombs until the final horn.
Sherdog Scores
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Holloway (30-27 Holloway)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Holloway (30-27 Holloway)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Holloway (30-27 Holloway)
The Official Result
Max Holloway def. Ricardo Lamas via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Holloway | 0 | 57 of 99 | 57% | 79 of 122 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:26 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 0 | 47 of 95 | 49% | 60 of 110 | 0 of 12 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:09 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Holloway | 0 | 15 of 29 | 51% | 21 of 36 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:10 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 0 | 15 of 25 | 60% | 19 of 30 | 0 of 5 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Max Holloway | 0 | 16 of 31 | 51% | 19 of 34 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:38 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 0 | 11 of 26 | 42% | 17 of 33 | 0 of 5 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Max Holloway | 0 | 26 of 39 | 66% | 39 of 52 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:38 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 0 | 21 of 44 | 47% | 24 of 47 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:09 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Holloway | 57 of 99 | 57% | 40 of 77 | 12 of 17 | 5 of 5 | 42 of 81 | 6 of 8 | 9 of 10 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 47 of 95 | 49% | 12 of 55 | 11 of 14 | 24 of 26 | 45 of 85 | 2 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Holloway | 15 of 29 | 51% | 9 of 19 | 4 of 8 | 2 of 2 | 15 of 29 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 15 of 25 | 60% | 0 of 8 | 1 of 2 | 14 of 15 | 15 of 24 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Max Holloway | 16 of 31 | 51% | 10 of 25 | 5 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 11 of 25 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 11 of 26 | 42% | 2 of 14 | 4 of 6 | 5 of 6 | 10 of 21 | 1 of 5 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Max Holloway | 26 of 39 | 66% | 21 of 33 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 16 of 27 | 1 of 2 | 9 of 10 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 21 of 44 | 47% | 10 of 33 | 6 of 6 | 5 of 5 | 20 of 40 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Stephens switches stances in frotn of the southpaw Holloway, who forces the veteran to take a few steps backward with a double-pumped jab. There’s not a ton of action through the first 90 seconds, with Stephens giving Holloway a lot of different looks while cutting angles around the perimeter. Holloway sends a few long punches down the center before Stephens hits him with an outside leg kick. Holloway finally starts to close the gap with a left hook that backs up Stephens to the fence, but the Alliance MMA fighter catches Holloway’s next kick and hustles him against the fence about halfway through the round. Holloway loops his right arm over Stephens’ and controls his right wrist on the inside, preventing any dirty boxing. They split wth 90 seconds left in the round and Stephens ducks under a few punches from Holloway but eats a few more. Stephens clinches for the final 20 seconds and gets a knee to the body as he presses Holloway on the fence.
Sherdog Scores
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Holloway
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Holloway
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Holloway
Round 2
Stephens charges in to land a hard right hook on the body of Holloway, who answers with a long, sweeping right hand. Leg kicks back up Stephens to the fence again; he tries to step out and tie up but gets denied by Holloway. The featherweights take turns moving forward and backward, showing lots of respect for one another’s strikes. Holloway connects with a nice counter right over the top, gets put back on the fence by a Stephens single-leg but uses good balance and more inside wrist control to stay on his feet. They separate at the halfway point of the round and the bout. Stephens swings a pair of big lefts over the top but gets picked off by Holloway’s shorter, quicker counters. Another takedown try from Stephens is stuffed, and Holloway winds up pressed against the cage again. Holloway breaks out of the clinch with a standing elbow, resets and counters the incoming Stephens with a blasting right hand on the side of the head. Stephens puts the fight back on the fence with an underhook but Holloway escapes quicker this time, and they finish the round on their feet in the middle of the cage.
Sherdog Scores
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Holloway
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Holloway
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Holloway
Round 3
Stephens comes out with increased aggression, attacking Holloway’s legs with kicks and thumping the Hawaiian’s body with a hard uppercut. Holloway hits a takedown in the first minute of the round and pins down Stephens at the base of the fence, passing to side control on the veteran’s right side. Stephens rolls to one knee and Holloway jumps on his back, but he gets only one hook in before Stephens lies down on the mat again. The sequence repeats, Stephens giving up his back as he rolls to defend an arm-triangle choke setup. This time, Holloway gets both hooks set and goes hunting for the rear-naked choke with over half the round remaining. After getting a few heel strikes to the body, Stephens scrambles to his feet and shakes Holloway off his back in the process. Stephens stalks forward on Holloway, now inside the final two minutes. He tags “Blessed” with a body shot, a right hand and then shoots for another takedown. Holloway turns him away, eats a left hook on the break and gives Stephens a nod to acknowledge the strike. Stephens is swinging for the fences now, knowing he needs a knockout to win, but Holloway avoids the haymakers and throws big overhand strikes in return down to the final horn.
Sherdog Scores
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Holloway (30-27 Holloway)
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Holloway (30-27 Holloway)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Holloway (30-27 Holloway)
The Official Result
Max Holloway def. Jeremy Stephens via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) R3 5:00
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Holloway | 0 | 14 of 29 | 48% | 14 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:06 |
| Charles Oliveira | 0 | 5 of 17 | 29% | 5 of 17 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Holloway | 0 | 14 of 29 | 48% | 14 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:06 |
| Charles Oliveira | 0 | 5 of 17 | 29% | 5 of 17 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Holloway | 14 of 29 | 48% | 6 of 20 | 8 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 14 of 29 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Charles Oliveira | 5 of 17 | 29% | 3 of 15 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 16 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Holloway | 14 of 29 | 48% | 6 of 20 | 8 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 14 of 29 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Charles Oliveira | 5 of 17 | 29% | 3 of 15 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 16 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Holloway (-230), Oliveira (+175)
Round 1
It’s time for what many in the industry are calling a true “superfight” between ex-champions with no actual divisional gold on the line. Sure, there may be the trophy of the “BMF” belt, but it does not seem to play a major factor in a title picture as it has changed divisions over the years. Seeming like a lifetime ago back in August 2015, Holloway (27-8, 23-8 UFC) and Oliveira (36-11, 1 NC; 24-11, 1 NC UFC) scrapped in the headliner of a show in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, where a neck spasm-slash-esophageal injury ended the match 99 seconds in. Both men went on to achieve great heights since then, and while still right around the top of the 155-pound ladder now, they meet once more. Referee Marc Goddard is putting on a great poker face hiding his excitement for what’s about to transpire, as he brings the two to the center of the cage to issue final instructions while the T-Mobile Arena is itching for something bonkers. With nothing but respect for one another, they bump fists, and it’s go time.
Oliveira takes to the center of the cage and thwacks Holloway with a thudding leg kick. He aims a kick to the same spot again, but this opens him up to a one-two upstairs. Holloway tags him with another one-two, and Oliveira swarms Holloway looking for a violent knockout. Oliveira’s sheer aggression results him in latching onto Holloway and lifting him up to slam him down to the mat. Oliveira lands in side control, with Holloway appearing surprised that he is on his back less than a minute into the round. Oliveira tries to advance position, and Holloway pushes him back to his feet. “Do Bronxs” returns back down to the mat to reestablish himself in the side, and Holloway turns to his knees to get up. Oliveira welcomes this as he snatches up back control, and Holloway stands up with the ex-lightweight king on his back. Oliveira clutches on the jaw with a face crank, squeezing with all his might on a face crank as he cannot get the grip beneath the jaw. Holloway hand-fights on his seat, with Oliveira behind him threatening with a rear-naked choke. Oliveira cinches up a chine that slithers beneath the chin for a moment, and Holloway is able to duck his head down enough to prevent getting choked out for now.
Holloway remains calm, fighting the hands to break the grip around his visage. Oliveira chains his submission to switch arms, and Holloway has to remain constantly vigilant as Oliveira switches to elbow him on the sides of the head. Holloway leans back to take some of the weight off his shoulders, all while protecting his neck with his active hands. Oliveira sells out for a neck crank, wrenching the Hawaiian’s head to a painful angle but not getting him out of there. Holloway survives the attempt and grins to the camera while wagging his eyebrows, and he winks to someone outside the crowd as only a few seconds remain on the clock in the round. Holloway is calm as a cucumber, and he stands back up and smiles walking to his corner as the round concludes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Oliveira
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-8 Oliveira
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-8 Oliveira
Round 2
Oliveira opens up with kicks to start off the round, and he lands a few until Holloway spurs into action with a punch combo. Holloway offers back a front kick, and Oliveira crowds him and elevates the Hawaiian to deposit him not-so-gingerly to the mat. Oliveira lands in full guard this time with Holloway’s back against the cage, and he grips hold of Holloway’s wrist to pull him away and open up a possible back take. From the side, Oliveira slowly starts to wrap up a rear-naked choke, and Holloway’s eyes are wide open as he wriggles and moves in hopes of breaking out of the precarious position. Holloway fights off the choke as Oliveira changes from grip to grip, and Oliveira tightens a face crank on top of Holloway’s mouth that he holds until he decides to let go. Oliveira hacks and slashes down with nasty elbows, and Holloway is stuck looking for answers while constantly defending.
The Brazilian hooks up a body triangle while holding Holloway from behind, elbowing him on the shoulder and side of the face. One fierce elbow changes Holloway’s expression, as he turns to his side and tries to get a bit of space. Oliveira wraps up a neck crank and torques it to the side, but Holloway is tough as nails and survives the agonizing submission. Oliveira punches from around the guard to further soften “Blessed” up and threaten with chokes, all while his body triangle chokes the life out of Holloway. Like before, Holloway is not trying for any explosive or frantic movements that would expose him to danger, and instead appears to be waiting things out until time expires. Holloway succeeds in hanging on, and the bell sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Oliveira
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-8 Oliveira
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-8 Oliveira
Round 3
It does not take long for Oliveira to attempt to impose his grappling, while Paramount+ experiences extreme technical difficulties at the worst time. Oliveira leads off with a one-two and a knee, and Holloway returns fire with a clean left hand. Oliveira tries to trip Holloway up, and on first effort, Holloway remains afloat. On the second effort, the Brazilian is able to wrench Holloway to the mat, using a body lock to slam Holloway down and establish himself in side control again. Oliveira climbs easily into full mount while grinding an elbow on the Hawaiian’s jaw, and he smothers Holloway while consistently searching for some submission or another.
Oliveira flirts with an arm-triangle choke until Holloway pushes off the fencing with his feet to get a bit of space, and he clings on top with half guard while looping his right arm beneath the neck of “Blessed.” Oliveira holds Holloway down with his shoulder and heavy chest pressure, and fans are anything but thrilled about what is unquestionably a terrible night for combat. “BMF,” this performance is not, as he lays on top of Holloway suffocating the former featherweight champ and lumping him up with the occasional elbow. Oliveira prefers to maintain control rather than put himself out of position to wrap up a submission, resulting in some stalemates until Oliveira strikes him. The less-than stellar round comes to a close.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Oliveira
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Oliveira
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Oliveira
Round 4
Reaching the championship rounds, the fighters touch gloves. Oliveira starts off with a front kick to the body, and the foot slides down and bumps into the cup. Oliveira apologizes as Goddard asks Holloway if he needs time to recover, and Holloway refuses and wishes to fight on. Oliveira gets right in Holloway’s face, and Holloway responds with clean punch combinations to get the ex-lightweight king’s attention. Holloway lands flush, and he is met with a direct double-leg attempt that he stifles for the time being. He remains on his feet until Oliveira redoubles his effort, and he secures the takedown to plant Holloway on his back again as fans in the building sound like they want to start throwing things. Oliveira advances to the side before long, and he leans on Holloway’s chest and sucks all the wind out of his sails. Holloway tries to push off the fence, and his toes hook into it and are slapped away by Goddard.
Oliveira occasionally postures up to land something, but he is much more interested in getting a knee on the belly to slice into full mount. In three-quarter mount position, Oliveira sits up and begins to lay into Holloway with nasty elbows. Holloway gives up his back as he scrambles, and the Brazilian willingly claims it and gets a body triangle. Oliveira voluntarily releases the body lock so that he can slam heel strikes down on Holloway’s thigh and right arm, putting in an all-around big brother-esque performance. “Do Bronxs” clubs Holloway anywhere he can find an opening with his heel, including the kidney a few times—a strike that was once banned—but it is not particularly enthralling. Holloway fights out of a possible twister setup and is defending the submissions well, but that is all he is offering about 20 minutes into a miserable match. The horn blares, and fans shell the athletes with their vocal disappointment.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Oliveira
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Oliveira
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Oliveira
Round 5
The men meet in the middle to hug it out as the last round begins, and get back to business trading front kicks. Holloway walks into a huge right hand that hurts him, and Oliveira looks to take him down rather than punish him with more strikes. Oliveira puts himself off-balance, and Holloway hip-tosses him to the floor to land his own takedown and get on top of Oliveira in half guard. Oliveira quickly hunts for a reversal, and Holloway bumps his opponent on the side of the head with his fist a few times. Oliveira holds on from the bottom while keeping Holloway’s ankle in his grip in hopes of flipping him over, and Goddard calls for them to do more. Oliveira snags hold of the ankle, and Holloway yanks his leg free and puts his back to the cage. Oliveira grabs hold of a single and slings “Blessed” to the mat, and people are leaving the arena in droves.
Oliveira stacks Holloway up in the guard, keeping control while doing little else from on top. Oliveira does not need to do anything more than hang on as the scores are well in his favor, and he does not. Oliveira relocates himself to half guard to drop down sporadic strikes, and a frantic Holloway escapes well enough to get upright but still has the Brazilian wrapped around him. The 10-second clapper sounds, and Oliveira actually disengages. Holloway walks Oliveira down and gets busted in the face, landing a strike or two of his own but not doing nearly enough to even hurt “Do Bronxs.” That happened, and we let it happen. Thus ends one of the most disappointing, highly anticipated matches in recent UFC memory, concluding the worst event possibly since UFC 208.
Buffer announces the victor as the “undisputed BMF champion” which makes little sense because it is not as if there is an interim varietal, nor should there ever should be. Fans and analysts decry the unexciting grappling match, with many suggesting that the “BMF” trophy should be retired after such a frustrating showcase. The victorious Oliveira calls for an opportunity to compete at the White House event, with that six-fight offering announced earlier on tonight. To quote the inimitable Holloway, it is what it is.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Oliveira (50-43 Oliveira)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Oliveira (50-43 Oliveira)
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Oliveira (50-43 Oliveira)
The Official Result
Charles Oliveira def. Max Holloway via Unanimous Decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)
Apr 18, 2015
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Holloway | 0 | 56 of 136 | 41% | 58 of 138 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:07 |
| Cub Swanson | 0 | 82 of 198 | 41% | 86 of 202 | 0 of 0 | --- | 3 | 0 | 1:28 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Holloway | 0 | 24 of 49 | 48% | 24 of 49 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Cub Swanson | 0 | 27 of 75 | 36% | 27 of 75 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Max Holloway | 0 | 21 of 65 | 32% | 21 of 65 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Cub Swanson | 0 | 34 of 80 | 42% | 35 of 81 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Max Holloway | 0 | 11 of 22 | 50% | 13 of 24 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:07 |
| Cub Swanson | 0 | 21 of 43 | 48% | 24 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 3 | 0 | 1:28 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Holloway | 56 of 136 | 41% | 29 of 98 | 10 of 15 | 17 of 23 | 54 of 133 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 1 |
| Cub Swanson | 82 of 198 | 41% | 51 of 163 | 24 of 28 | 7 of 7 | 73 of 185 | 4 of 5 | 5 of 8 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Holloway | 24 of 49 | 48% | 16 of 40 | 4 of 4 | 4 of 5 | 24 of 49 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Cub Swanson | 27 of 75 | 36% | 19 of 66 | 7 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 26 of 74 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Max Holloway | 21 of 65 | 32% | 12 of 48 | 3 of 8 | 6 of 9 | 21 of 65 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Cub Swanson | 34 of 80 | 42% | 21 of 64 | 11 of 14 | 2 of 2 | 32 of 77 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Max Holloway | 11 of 22 | 50% | 1 of 10 | 3 of 3 | 7 of 9 | 9 of 19 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 1 |
| Cub Swanson | 21 of 43 | 48% | 11 of 33 | 6 of 6 | 4 of 4 | 15 of 34 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 8 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
The featherweights spend the opening minute testing the range, flicking out jabs and low kicks in the center of the cage. Swanson goes up top with a right high kick, blocked and answered in turn by Holloway. A right hand to the body scores for Holloway, and Swanson gives him a leg kick. Swanson plants a hand on the ground and launches a high kick at Holloway’s head, but it’s blocked. Holloway leaps into range with a knee to the body but can’t find his mark with the follow-up punches. Swanson charges into the pocket and eats a counter left hook; the Jackson-Wink MMA fighter is already wearing some redness around his left eye. A spinning-back kick to the body knocks Swanson backward a few steps. Swanson blocks a right high kick and gives Holloway one to the body, answered by Holloway with another body kick. Holloway is getting the better of the exchanges here, making Swanson cover up and look tentative late in the round. Swanson drops to the ground after a right hand to the temple in the closing seconds but jumps back up and swings a four-punch combo at Holloway.
Sherdog Scores
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Holloway
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Holloway
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Holloway
Round 2
Holloway puts a kick on Swanson’s gut, then switches high and hits the chest. Swanson is pressing forward but not letting his hands go, allowing Holloway to be the more active fighter. Holloway is keeping busy with lots of lateral movement, kicks and long punches. Swanson is sticking to single shots and waiting for openings, then having to cover up when Holloway busts out his offense. Holloway is getting cute midway through the round, shrugging and grinning after Swanson slaps his face with a high kick. Swanson puts a good right hand in Holloway’s breadbasket and keeps walking after the Hawaiian, who continues countering well from his back foot. Body-head combination scores for Holloway, who blocks a high kick and circles out. A leaping knee to the body draws a grimace from Swanson, but Holloway doesn’t rush in. At the 10-second clapper, Holloway zaps Swanson with a left uppercut.
Sherdog Scores
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Holloway
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Holloway
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Holloway
Round 3
Swanson digs an underhook and presses Holloway against the fence, but Holloway slips out the other side and pops Swanson with a hook on the exit. Swanson blocks a high kick but falls to the ground throwing a spinning kick; Holloway allows him to stand and lands another knee to the gut as Swanson charges him. Holloway sends Swanson to the ground with a punch and then a kick to the liver. Swanson tries to pull guard, can’t, and winds up on his knees. Holloway moves to take the back of Swanson, who rolls over and gets caught in an arm-triangle choke. The choke looks deep, but Swanson stays alive until Holloway releases. Holloway doesn’t secure side control and Swanson rolls out the other side. The featherweights are back on their feet with just over two minutes on the clock. Holloway keeps Swanson out of range with some oblique kicks, and Swanson just stays on the outside with his left hand cocked. A pair of straight lefts rock Swanson, and Holloway tries to capitalize by grabbing a guillotine and coming down on top to try and finish the choke from full mount. Swanson tries to ride out the choke but he’s caught and has no choice but to tap out.
The Official Result
Max Holloway def. Cub Swanson via Submission (Guillotine Choke) R3 3:58
Feb 14, 2015
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Holloway | 0 | 57 of 176 | 32% | 66 of 186 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:33 |
| Cole Miller | 0 | 31 of 132 | 23% | 35 of 137 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:31 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Holloway | 0 | 12 of 48 | 25% | 14 of 51 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:15 |
| Cole Miller | 0 | 10 of 39 | 25% | 11 of 40 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Max Holloway | 0 | 12 of 50 | 24% | 14 of 52 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:37 |
| Cole Miller | 0 | 12 of 45 | 26% | 13 of 47 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:03 | |
| 3 | Max Holloway | 0 | 33 of 78 | 42% | 38 of 83 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:41 |
| Cole Miller | 0 | 9 of 48 | 18% | 11 of 50 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:28 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Holloway | 57 of 176 | 32% | 40 of 145 | 13 of 23 | 4 of 8 | 46 of 159 | 7 of 11 | 4 of 6 |
| Cole Miller | 31 of 132 | 23% | 12 of 93 | 8 of 19 | 11 of 20 | 26 of 123 | 5 of 8 | 0 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Holloway | 12 of 48 | 25% | 4 of 34 | 5 of 7 | 3 of 7 | 8 of 42 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 2 |
| Cole Miller | 10 of 39 | 25% | 0 of 20 | 5 of 11 | 5 of 8 | 6 of 34 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Max Holloway | 12 of 50 | 24% | 10 of 45 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 46 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 3 |
| Cole Miller | 12 of 45 | 26% | 4 of 32 | 3 of 4 | 5 of 9 | 12 of 45 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Max Holloway | 33 of 78 | 42% | 26 of 66 | 6 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 29 of 71 | 3 of 6 | 1 of 1 |
| Cole Miller | 9 of 48 | 18% | 8 of 41 | 0 of 4 | 1 of 3 | 8 of 44 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 1 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Holloway strikes first with a pair of kicks to the outside of Miller’s lead leg. Miller checks a third and gives the Hawaiian a low kick in return. The featherweights continue trading kicks through the first 80 seconds, Miller mixing in a few to the body. Holloway threatens and probes with punches, looking for an opening against the taller man. The fighters clash kicks, knocking Holloway to the ground, but he pops back up without incident. Holloway slaps Miller’s breadbasket with a loud kick, then tacks on a leg kick, answered in kind by Miller. A straight right lands for Miller before the 145ers clinch up. Holloway takes the driver’s seat in the clinch, shoving Miller to the fence and throwing knees to the body. They fight back to the center, where Miller looks to clinch and eats a hook. He decks Holloway with an elbow as he’s pushed against the cage, and now Miller drops to guard at the base of the fence. Miller sits up and drops back on a heel hook, then gives it up to stand, reach between his legs and rolls through on a kneebar attempt to end the round.
Sherdog Scores
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Holloway
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Holloway
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Holloway
Round 2
Miller pushes Holloway backward with front and low kicks, keeping the smaller man out of striking range. Holloway answers with a spinning-back kick to the midsection, takes another slap to the lead leg and circles out to reset. Holloway is touching Miller’s chin with reaching punches but the strikes don’t appear to have a lot behind them. Miller continues his leg-kicking before shooting for a double-leg two minutes into the round. When it looks like Holloway will defend, Miller pulls guard and Holloway bails. Back up comes Miller halfway through the round and the fight, and Holloway catches him with a spinning-back fist. Holloway rushes into the pocket, swinging hands, but his head slams into the outside of Miller’s left eye. Miller drops to a knee, bleeding from the spot of the accidental clash of heads, and referee Adam Martinez pauses the fight. The bleeding subsides after a minute and Miller indicates that he’s ready to go. Holloway checks an inside leg kick and puts a kick on Miller’s body. A slapping body kick lands on Holloway’s left side courtesy of Miller, who backpedals around the outside while Holloway works from the center. Holloway closes the distance and shoves Miller against the fence with underhooks. Miller shakes him off with 30 seconds on the clock, but Holloway is soon back in his face with a leaping knee and another clinch to close the round. Miller’s eye is bleeding again at the end of the round, and the fighter tells referee Martinez that Holloway headbutted him again at the end of the round.
Sherdog Scores
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Holloway
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Holloway
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Holloway
Round 3
Miller swings punches upstairs but is having less success at the start of round three, as Holloway is changing levels while striking and throwing body shots. A spinning-back fist clips Miller near the fence before Holloway denies a clinch and throws the taller fighter to the ground. Holloway tags Miller with a combination before the featherweights tie up away from the fence and trade knees to the body. An overhand right gets Miller turning to his right side, where Holloway is waiting with a follow-up left hook. Holloway goes body-head with a combo and narrowly misses with another spinning shot. Holloway ducks under a left hand from Miller and cracks him with a straight counter than sends “Magrinho” moving backward to the fence. With 90 seconds left, Holloway backs off and draws Miller forward, cracking the American Top Team fighter with a pair of hooks to the damaged eye. Miller tries a double-leg on the fence, can’t get it and pulls guard instead. Holloway stands and invites Miller to do the same with less than one minute remaining. Holloway is going wild before the bell, launching a variety of flashy spinning kicks at Miller, though none appear to land cleanly.
Sherdog Scores
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Holloway (30-27 Holloway)
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Holloway (30-27 Holloway)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Holloway (30-27 Holloway)
The Official Result
Max Holloway def. Cole Miller via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Holloway | 0 | 11 of 29 | 37% | 11 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:10 |
| Akira Corassani | 1 | 31 of 51 | 60% | 38 of 62 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:10 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Holloway | 0 | 11 of 29 | 37% | 11 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:10 |
| Akira Corassani | 1 | 31 of 51 | 60% | 38 of 62 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:10 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Holloway | 11 of 29 | 37% | 8 of 23 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 5 | 10 of 26 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Akira Corassani | 31 of 51 | 60% | 25 of 42 | 4 of 6 | 2 of 3 | 20 of 36 | 4 of 6 | 7 of 9 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Holloway | 11 of 29 | 37% | 8 of 23 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 5 | 10 of 26 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Akira Corassani | 31 of 51 | 60% | 25 of 42 | 4 of 6 | 2 of 3 | 20 of 36 | 4 of 6 | 7 of 9 |
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Holloway | 0 | 124 of 204 | 60% | 137 of 219 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:35 |
| Clay Collard | 0 | 70 of 209 | 33% | 73 of 213 | 1 of 10 | 10% | 0 | 1 | 1:48 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Holloway | 0 | 49 of 92 | 53% | 49 of 92 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
| Clay Collard | 0 | 44 of 116 | 37% | 44 of 116 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:05 | |
| 2 | Max Holloway | 0 | 28 of 53 | 52% | 34 of 59 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:16 |
| Clay Collard | 0 | 17 of 60 | 28% | 17 of 60 | 0 of 5 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 1:02 | |
| 3 | Max Holloway | 0 | 47 of 59 | 79% | 54 of 68 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:14 |
| Clay Collard | 0 | 9 of 33 | 27% | 12 of 37 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:41 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Holloway | 124 of 204 | 60% | 95 of 170 | 26 of 29 | 3 of 5 | 70 of 143 | 14 of 17 | 40 of 44 |
| Clay Collard | 70 of 209 | 33% | 38 of 155 | 16 of 31 | 16 of 23 | 52 of 181 | 14 of 21 | 4 of 7 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Holloway | 49 of 92 | 53% | 32 of 73 | 15 of 16 | 2 of 3 | 41 of 82 | 8 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
| Clay Collard | 44 of 116 | 37% | 27 of 89 | 10 of 17 | 7 of 10 | 33 of 102 | 9 of 11 | 2 of 3 | |
| 2 | Max Holloway | 28 of 53 | 52% | 19 of 42 | 8 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 23 of 47 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 1 |
| Clay Collard | 17 of 60 | 28% | 8 of 44 | 5 of 9 | 4 of 7 | 11 of 49 | 5 of 10 | 1 of 1 | |
| 3 | Max Holloway | 47 of 59 | 79% | 44 of 55 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 6 of 14 | 2 of 2 | 39 of 43 |
| Clay Collard | 9 of 33 | 27% | 3 of 22 | 1 of 5 | 5 of 6 | 8 of 30 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Both men rattle off kicks in the early going of round one, Holloway landing the better shots, especially with a left high kick upstairs. Holloway begins striking down the center with hard, straight punches, answered in kind by Collard, who catches a kick and smashes the Hawaiian with a big left hand. Collard tries to throw a knee in the Thai clinch, gets tripped to the ground and allowed back up by Holloway. A switch kick from Collard catches Holloway leaning over with a shin to the nose. Holloway puts a spinning kick in Collard’s breadbasket, gets shoved against the fence for a moment and circles out. Holloway knocks Collard backward with a right hook on the chin, then closes the gap on Collard near the fence and hits the newcomer with a spinning kick. Collard steps out to the center of the cage and gets blasted with some big right hooks. Holloway finishes the round with another spinning kick to the body and a right high kick to Collard’s face.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Holloway
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Holloway
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Holloway
Round 2
Holloway stays on the outside of Collard’s long punches and kicks in the opening minute of round two, then closes the distance and drills Collard with a knee to the belly. Another right hand from Hollway snaps back Collard’s head, but Collard catches a kick a few seconds later to rush Holloway to the ground. Holloway pops right back up, drills Collard with a right cross and tacks on a jump knee. Collard tries to fire back but Holloway gets on his horse and evades the counterattack. Midway through the round, Collard shoots for a double-leg on the fence, but Holloway peels him off and circles out. Collard grabs a single-leg and Holloway scrambles to jump on his back, but gives up the position in order to stand and continue trading strikes. Collard ducks under a wide left hook and gets trapped against the fence, where Holloway thumps his opponent’s body with a hard right kick. Collard finally gets Holloway to the ground in the final minute but then has to avoid an armbar and a triangle choke from the Hawaiian.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Holloway
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Holloway
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Holloway
Round 3
Collard shoots a long shot, takes a right hand on his knees and then gets up to chase Holloway around the cage. A couple slapping leg kicks score for Collard before he changes levels to try a single-leg, then switches to a double. Holloway gives Collard some elbows to the side of the head while defending with his back to the fence. Now, Holloway circles out and Collard gives chase, walking into a right hand and the diving for a long shot. Holloway drills Collard with a knee to the body and shoves him to the ground, then comes down to the half guard of “Cassius.” Collard rolls over to his stomach and fends off a rear-naked choke attempt midway through the final round. Holloway sits up in full mount to hit Collard with an elbow, then three or four big punches. Collard looks spent, taking hard shots to his unprotected face. Collard rolls to his belly again, Holloway unloads with a series of 10 big right hands, and referee Dan Miragliotta has seen enough.
The Official Result
Max Holloway def. Clay Collard via TKO (Punches) R3 3:47
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Holloway | 0 | 47 of 149 | 31% | 57 of 161 | 0 of 0 | --- | 2 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Andre Fili | 0 | 44 of 139 | 31% | 46 of 141 | 3 of 12 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 3:13 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Holloway | 0 | 17 of 58 | 29% | 18 of 59 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Andre Fili | 0 | 31 of 82 | 37% | 32 of 83 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:46 | |
| 2 | Max Holloway | 0 | 18 of 53 | 33% | 22 of 57 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Andre Fili | 0 | 8 of 38 | 21% | 8 of 38 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 0 | 0 | 1:25 | |
| 3 | Max Holloway | 0 | 12 of 38 | 31% | 17 of 45 | 0 of 0 | --- | 2 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Andre Fili | 0 | 5 of 19 | 26% | 6 of 20 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 1:02 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Holloway | 47 of 149 | 31% | 31 of 122 | 15 of 24 | 1 of 3 | 30 of 121 | 17 of 28 | 0 of 0 |
| Andre Fili | 44 of 139 | 31% | 18 of 99 | 9 of 21 | 17 of 19 | 40 of 129 | 4 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Holloway | 17 of 58 | 29% | 10 of 48 | 6 of 8 | 1 of 2 | 12 of 53 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Andre Fili | 31 of 82 | 37% | 14 of 59 | 6 of 12 | 11 of 11 | 29 of 79 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Max Holloway | 18 of 53 | 33% | 11 of 41 | 7 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 14 of 43 | 4 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
| Andre Fili | 8 of 38 | 21% | 1 of 26 | 3 of 7 | 4 of 5 | 6 of 34 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Max Holloway | 12 of 38 | 31% | 10 of 33 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 1 | 4 of 25 | 8 of 13 | 0 of 0 |
| Andre Fili | 5 of 19 | 26% | 3 of 14 | 0 of 2 | 2 of 3 | 5 of 16 | 0 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Fili steps into range and eats a counter right hand from Holloway, who circles away from the fence to reset in the center. After taking a couple leg kicks, Holloway spins around to place a spinning kick in Fili’s stomach. Holloway puts an uppercut on the chin of Fili, who nods his head and hits himself on the cheek to wave Holloway forward. Another spinning kick backs up Fili, who charges forward and stings Holloway with a straight left. Another stiff jab reddens the nose of Holloway, who is continues to work from the center while Holloway moves around the outside. Fili takes another punch on the cheek, taps himself and then rocks Holloway’s head with a jab. With 90 seconds remaining in the round, Fili lands a hard leg kick and double-legs the Hawaiian to the mat. Holloway pops back up, hitting Fili with a knee to the chest along the way. Holloway rushes Fili against the fence with a kick to the body, but it’s Fili grabbing hold and pressing his opponent on the cage, where they jockey for position to round’s end.
Sherdog Scores
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Fili
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Fili
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Fili
Round 2
Holloway sparks his man with another spinning kick to the body and then presses Fili against the cage. The featherweights work off the fence and Fili resumes his circling, while Holloway stays relatively still in the middle. Holloway catches a high kick on the shoulder and dumps Fili to the ground when “Touchy” tries to turn it into an armbar. Back up comes Fili, and Holloway touches him with a hard, straight right hand. Fili backs up Holloway with a leg kick, tries to go high and Holloway ducks under. Holloway steps into the pocket with a knee and gets wrapped up, then driven to the canvas. Fili sits in Holloway’s closed guard with 1:45 on the clock; 30 seconds of inactivity later, referee Kevin Mulhall stands them up. The next spinning kick from Holloway is caught by Fili, who tries but can’t turn it into a takedown. Fili shoves Holloway up against the cage again in the closing seconds.
Sherdog Scores
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Holloway
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Holloway
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Holloway
Round 3
Not much action through the first minute of the final round, when Fili opts to shoot for a takedown and gets stood up. Holloway delivers a knee as Fili circles out and then stuffs another double-leg shot. The third time’s the charm for Fili, who puts Holloway on the ground for about a minute but doesn’t score with any solid offense while there. Holloway pops Fili with a straight right and briefly shoves the Team Alpha Male fighter against the fence. Holloway snuffs out a single-leg and tries to trap Fili in a guillotine. Instead, Fili stands and holds Holloway on the fence. Holloway turns it around and delivers a couple hard standing elbows, then punches which send Fili shooting for a takedown. Holloway drops to guard with another guillotine, and this one forces Fili to tap out.
The Official Result
Max Holloway def. Andre Fili via Submission (Guillotine Choke) R3 3:39
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Holloway | 2 | 74 of 139 | 53% | 79 of 145 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:16 |
| Will Chope | 0 | 33 of 121 | 27% | 34 of 122 | 0 of 5 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:01 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Holloway | 1 | 37 of 81 | 45% | 37 of 81 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Will Chope | 0 | 26 of 102 | 25% | 26 of 102 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:16 | |
| 2 | Max Holloway | 1 | 37 of 58 | 63% | 42 of 64 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
| Will Chope | 0 | 7 of 19 | 36% | 8 of 20 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:45 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Holloway | 74 of 139 | 53% | 58 of 119 | 14 of 18 | 2 of 2 | 30 of 73 | 41 of 61 | 3 of 5 |
| Will Chope | 33 of 121 | 27% | 23 of 104 | 2 of 7 | 8 of 10 | 28 of 111 | 5 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Holloway | 37 of 81 | 45% | 30 of 71 | 7 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 23 of 61 | 14 of 20 | 0 of 0 |
| Will Chope | 26 of 102 | 25% | 18 of 90 | 2 of 5 | 6 of 7 | 25 of 97 | 1 of 5 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Max Holloway | 37 of 58 | 63% | 28 of 48 | 7 of 8 | 2 of 2 | 7 of 12 | 27 of 41 | 3 of 5 |
| Will Chope | 7 of 19 | 36% | 5 of 14 | 0 of 2 | 2 of 3 | 3 of 14 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Chope comes in to clinch and gets shoved against the fence by Holloway, who gets caught off balance and has to circle out after missing a spinning kick. Chope lands a kick to the body and taps Holloway’s chin with a long right hand. The featherweights feel the range, Chope looking to grab the Thai clinch but unable to hold Holloway there long enough to land knees. Holloway fires off a couple jabs, then hits Chope with a crisp one-two up the middle. Holloway follows with a spinning kick to the body, and now he’s stinging Chope with big right hands. Holloway counters Chope’s pawing jabs with a hard left hook counter, so Chope moves in to push Holloway against the cage. Holloway lands a knee to the body, circles out and swarms Chope with a barrage of punches and knees in the final 10 seconds of the round.
Sherdog Scores
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Holloway
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Holloway
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Holloway
Round 2
Holloway attacks Chope’s legs with side kicks, then drills the 6-foot-4 featherweight with a right hand over the top. Chope shoots for a leg, wobbled from the shots, and Holloway shoves him off to land a spinning back kick to the liver. Chope is still swinging back, trying to take Holloway’s head off with huge, lunging uppercuts. Holloway just keeps his distance and then comes back in to continue his assault against the fence. Chope holds Holloway against the fence and works for a takedown which doesn’t come. Holloway slips out and unloads with a series of heavy hooks to the head which sends “The Kill” to the mat. Holloway keeps punching away until referee Leon Roberts steps in to rescue the fetal Chope.
The Official Result
Max Holloway def. Will Chope via TKO (Punches) R2 2:27
Aug 17, 2013
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conor McGregor | 0 | 53 of 153 | 34% | 71 of 173 | 4 of 5 | 80% | 0 | 0 | 6:26 |
| Max Holloway | 0 | 23 of 93 | 24% | 32 of 104 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Conor McGregor | 0 | 27 of 87 | 31% | 28 of 88 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
| Max Holloway | 0 | 14 of 51 | 27% | 14 of 51 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Conor McGregor | 0 | 15 of 47 | 31% | 18 of 50 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:04 |
| Max Holloway | 0 | 7 of 32 | 21% | 15 of 41 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Conor McGregor | 0 | 11 of 19 | 57% | 25 of 35 | 3 of 3 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:17 |
| Max Holloway | 0 | 2 of 10 | 20% | 3 of 12 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conor McGregor | 53 of 153 | 34% | 34 of 113 | 4 of 17 | 15 of 23 | 42 of 135 | 2 of 2 | 9 of 16 |
| Max Holloway | 23 of 93 | 24% | 10 of 71 | 1 of 4 | 12 of 18 | 22 of 92 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Conor McGregor | 27 of 87 | 31% | 16 of 59 | 2 of 13 | 9 of 15 | 26 of 86 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Max Holloway | 14 of 51 | 27% | 7 of 40 | 0 of 1 | 7 of 10 | 13 of 50 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Conor McGregor | 15 of 47 | 31% | 10 of 38 | 1 of 3 | 4 of 6 | 13 of 42 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 5 |
| Max Holloway | 7 of 32 | 21% | 2 of 23 | 1 of 3 | 4 of 6 | 7 of 32 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Conor McGregor | 11 of 19 | 57% | 8 of 16 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 11 |
| Max Holloway | 2 of 10 | 20% | 1 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
McGregor swipes at Holloway with a variety of kicks in the opening moments while the Hawaiian switches between southpaw and orthodox stances. McGregor is sticking punches in the face of Holloway, who’s being backed up toward the fence by the long strikes. A corkscrew uppercut clips Holloway’s chin as McGregor continues to throw all manner of funky strikes. McGregor has a left high kick blocked but lands a left hand behind it. Midway through the opening round and Holloway is still stuck on the outside; he finally comes off it 30 seconds later with some leg kicks that leave McGregor shrugging and waving his opponent forward. An uppercut from McGregor is answered by an overhand right by Holloway, who follows up with a wheel kick that goes off the Irishman’s shoulder. A straight left from McGregor seems to wobble Holloway with seconds left in the opening round. McGregor cartwheels toward the outside and finishes the frame holding Holloway on the fence.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 McGregor
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 McGregor
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 McGregor
Round 2
McGregor lunges in with a straight left, steps out and gets touched with a kick to the body. Holloway sticks a couple jabs through McGregor’s guard and continues to circle the outside while McGregor presses forward with kicks both low and high. A straight left from McGregor bloodies Holloway’s nose, and McGregor claps to call Holloway forward. Holloway gets caught leaning with a clean uppercut to the mush, but he catches McGregor coming in seconds later with a nice hook. McGregor catches a kick and slugs Holloway with a straight left before tripping him to the ground. Holloway holds him in half-guard at first, but McGregor swims through in the last 30 seconds and passes to side control on the left.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 McGregor
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 McGregor
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 McGregor
Round 3
McGregor has Holloway back on the ground in short order to start round three, and the Irishman advances to full mount after 90 seconds. Just as he gets there, Holloway sweeps and tries to stand, but McGregor is waiting with another takedown to half-guard. McGregor gets back to full mount and flattens out Holloway, using both hands to slap at the sides of the Hawaiian’s head. Holloway starts to roll over, allowing McGregor to sit up and drop heavy punches. McGregor nearly takes the back, but Holloway rolls to his back again and uses his arms to try and negate the space. Holloway slips out the back and eats a knee on the way back up, then catches McGregor with a head kick. McGregor hits another takedown with 35 seconds left and finishes the fight on top.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 McGregor (30-27 McGregor)
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 McGregor (30-27 McGregor)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 McGregor (30-27 McGregor)
Official result:
The judges score the bout 30-27, 30-27 and 30-26, all for the winner by unanimous decision, Conor McGregor.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dennis Bermudez | 0 | 73 of 225 | 32% | 78 of 231 | 4 of 9 | 44% | 0 | 0 | 3:29 |
| Max Holloway | 0 | 75 of 193 | 38% | 79 of 197 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:09 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dennis Bermudez | 0 | 19 of 58 | 32% | 19 of 58 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:31 |
| Max Holloway | 0 | 23 of 64 | 35% | 24 of 65 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Dennis Bermudez | 0 | 18 of 66 | 27% | 20 of 68 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:44 |
| Max Holloway | 0 | 28 of 73 | 38% | 30 of 75 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:09 | |
| 3 | Dennis Bermudez | 0 | 36 of 101 | 35% | 39 of 105 | 3 of 3 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:14 |
| Max Holloway | 0 | 24 of 56 | 42% | 25 of 57 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dennis Bermudez | 73 of 225 | 32% | 47 of 194 | 10 of 15 | 16 of 16 | 51 of 185 | 6 of 10 | 16 of 30 |
| Max Holloway | 75 of 193 | 38% | 64 of 173 | 9 of 18 | 2 of 2 | 70 of 185 | 5 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dennis Bermudez | 19 of 58 | 32% | 10 of 47 | 4 of 6 | 5 of 5 | 17 of 55 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Max Holloway | 23 of 64 | 35% | 20 of 59 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 21 of 59 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Dennis Bermudez | 18 of 66 | 27% | 11 of 58 | 1 of 2 | 6 of 6 | 15 of 61 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 2 |
| Max Holloway | 28 of 73 | 38% | 24 of 64 | 3 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 25 of 70 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Dennis Bermudez | 36 of 101 | 35% | 26 of 89 | 5 of 7 | 5 of 5 | 19 of 69 | 2 of 4 | 15 of 28 |
| Max Holloway | 24 of 56 | 42% | 20 of 50 | 3 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 24 of 56 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Holloway has his jab working early, touching Bermudez’s chin with a pair of straight left. Bermudez shoots in for a takedown and is forced to release when Holloway grabs a headlock. Another quick jab, and Holloway steps out of the way of Bermudez’s left hand. Bermudez grazes with a right hand and lands a snappy leg kick outside. Holloway is still moving well, though, sidestepping most of Bermudez’s punches before they’re thrown. Bermudez shoots and again Holloway defends with a guillotine. They break and Bermudez chops with a leg kick outside. Holloway catches Bermudez leaning and drills him with a turning kick. The Hawaiian tries to finish with punches, but Bermudez grabs hold of him and presses Holloway against the cage with a minute left. Holloway gets out and Bermudez looks to have recovered now. Holloway lands the same spinning kick -- this time to the body -- then does it again, the second one knocking Bermudez to the ground seconds before the end of the frame.
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Holloway
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Holloway
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Holloway
Round 2
Bermudez nearly finishes a single-leg, but Holloway shoves him to the ground, then hops on the back of the kneeling Bermudez. They stand up and Bermudez eats a kick to the face on the way. Holloway blocks a head kick, picks at Bermudez with a couple jabs and misses with a spinning kick to the body. Now bleeding from his nose, Bermudez tries a Superman punch that pulls up short. Holloway digs a left to the body and goes up top with a right hand that slows Bermudez’s pace midway through the round. A leg kick from Bermudez nearly drops Holloway, but the Hawaiian pops back up. Bermudez puts Holloway on the fence after a failed takedown try. Holloway quickly turns it around, giving Bermudez an elbow to the face for his trouble. Bermudez lands a leg kick outside, answered by a hard left kick to the body by Holloway. A right high kick to the head lands but doesn’t seem to impact Bermudez, who ducks a spinning kick and misses with a leaping kick of his own. Both men reset and touch gloves, smiling. Bermudez with a takedown in the final seconds; he’s forced to dodge an armbar attempt before he’s able to land a couple punches as time runs out.
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Holloway
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Holloway
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Holloway
Round 3
Bermudez hits a takedown on the fence and again has to contend with the lanky Holloway’s guard. Bermudez seems to be framing up a choke of his own before releasing and resetting on the feet. Holloway is back to moving around the outside, picking at Bermudez with jabs. Bermudez is the aggressor now, attacking Holloway’s legs with kicks outside and now scoring with some jabs of his own. Bermudez grabs a single-leg and sweeps the other, then holds Holloway on the fence when the youngster stands back up. Holloway escapes the clinch halfway through the final round and resumes jabbing. He catches a low kick and puts Bermudez on the ground, but Bermudez is right back up, hitting a takedown of his own. Bermudez postures up and slams Holloway with a series of vicious elbows, instantly opening a cut and forming a nasty hematoma on the left side of Holloway’s forehead. Bermudez almost advances to mount with 30 seconds left, gets stuffed back to half-guard. Bermudez finishes the round strong on top, dropping punches on the suddenly banged-up Holloway.
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Bermudez (29-28 Holloway)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Bermudez (29-28 Holloway)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Bermudez (29-28 Holloway)
Official result:
The judges score the bout 29-28 Holloway, 29-28 Bermudez and 29-28 for the winner by split decision, Dennis Bermudez.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Holloway | 0 | 89 of 359 | 24% | 92 of 367 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:37 |
| Leonard Garcia | 1 | 120 of 269 | 44% | 122 of 273 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Holloway | 0 | 25 of 104 | 24% | 25 of 104 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Leonard Garcia | 1 | 32 of 78 | 41% | 32 of 78 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Max Holloway | 0 | 25 of 104 | 24% | 26 of 106 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:40 |
| Leonard Garcia | 0 | 37 of 90 | 41% | 38 of 91 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Max Holloway | 0 | 39 of 151 | 25% | 41 of 157 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:57 |
| Leonard Garcia | 0 | 51 of 101 | 50% | 52 of 104 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Holloway | 89 of 359 | 24% | 64 of 320 | 10 of 24 | 15 of 15 | 82 of 346 | 7 of 12 | 0 of 1 |
| Leonard Garcia | 120 of 269 | 44% | 68 of 193 | 38 of 61 | 14 of 15 | 114 of 261 | 6 of 7 | 0 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Holloway | 25 of 104 | 24% | 13 of 86 | 4 of 10 | 8 of 8 | 23 of 101 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Leonard Garcia | 32 of 78 | 41% | 13 of 50 | 13 of 21 | 6 of 7 | 32 of 78 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Max Holloway | 25 of 104 | 24% | 20 of 92 | 2 of 9 | 3 of 3 | 22 of 98 | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Leonard Garcia | 37 of 90 | 41% | 24 of 69 | 10 of 18 | 3 of 3 | 34 of 86 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Max Holloway | 39 of 151 | 25% | 31 of 142 | 4 of 5 | 4 of 4 | 37 of 147 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 1 |
| Leonard Garcia | 51 of 101 | 50% | 31 of 74 | 15 of 22 | 5 of 5 | 48 of 97 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 1 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Kim Winslow is in charge of this featherweight affair. Garcia takes the center of the cage with the longer Holloway on the outside, kicking at the legs of the “Bad Boy.” Garcia gives him a stiff leg kick in return and gets backed up by a teep kick to the body. Garcia rushes forward, winging punches, but Holloway uses good head movement and front kicks to keep the distance. A hard leg kick from Holloway now and Garcia tries to clinch; Holloway shoves him off. Garcia sneaks through a straight left, then another, but they’re glancing blows as Holloway turns away. A big left hand from Garcia stuns Holloway, but the Hawaiian stays vertical. The noses of both men are bloodied now as they enter the last minute. Holloway tags Garcia with a spinning kick to the body, but Garcia comes inside and mugs him with punches in the clinch.
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Holloway
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Holloway
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Holloway
Round 2
PICTURE R
D. Mandel/Sherdog.com Holloway edged Garcia on two cards.
/PICTURE R
Holloway snaps off some leg kicks and punches in the early going. Garcia eats a knee on his way in but hits a takedown at the 3:00 mark; Holloway quickly posts up and stands. The featherweights exchange jabs with Holloway picking off the shorter man by virtue of his longer limbs. Garcia keeps throwing to the body and head with mixed results, but he’s got Holloway on the back foot nonetheless, and the Hawaiian’s output has slowed down. They clinch with 30 seconds left and Holloway uses knees to get out. Garcia is just throwing arm punches now but they’ve got Holloway on the retreat, pinned against the fence at the end of the frame.
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Garcia
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Garcia
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Garcia
Round 3
Garcia is throwing and yelling but doesn’t appear to be landing much in the opening minute of round three. Holloway is popping the Greg Jackson charge with occasional counters, but he’s forced to stay on his bicycle as Garcia keeps pressing forward. The attack finally slows and Holloway socks Garcia with a straight right, only to be warned by ref Winslow to keep his fingers tucked. Garcia keeps pressing, throwing bombs and eating up Holloway’s counter right hooks. Midway through the frame, Garcia changes levels and hits a double-leg against the fence. Holloway posts up and scrambles to his feet, where he’s again forced to retreat under the relentless arm-punch assault of Garcia. Holloway works the body with some good hooks. Garcia is just relentless and keeps after Holloway, who gets taken down one last time and slammed back to the ground after a last-ditch kick attempt.
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Garcia (29-28 Garcia)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Garcia (29-28 Garcia)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Garcia (29-28 Garcia)
Official result:
Max Holloway def. Leonard Garcia via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) R3 5:00
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Holloway | 0 | 32 of 90 | 35% | 32 of 92 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 0:09 |
| Justin Lawrence | 1 | 29 of 124 | 23% | 29 of 124 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Holloway | 0 | 12 of 37 | 32% | 12 of 39 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:09 |
| Justin Lawrence | 0 | 10 of 47 | 21% | 10 of 47 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Max Holloway | 0 | 20 of 53 | 37% | 20 of 53 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Justin Lawrence | 1 | 19 of 77 | 24% | 19 of 77 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Holloway | 32 of 90 | 35% | 26 of 70 | 3 of 15 | 3 of 5 | 32 of 90 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Justin Lawrence | 29 of 124 | 23% | 18 of 110 | 8 of 11 | 3 of 3 | 23 of 108 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 16 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Holloway | 12 of 37 | 32% | 11 of 27 | 1 of 9 | 0 of 1 | 12 of 37 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Justin Lawrence | 10 of 47 | 21% | 6 of 40 | 1 of 4 | 3 of 3 | 10 of 47 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Max Holloway | 20 of 53 | 37% | 15 of 43 | 2 of 6 | 3 of 4 | 20 of 53 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Justin Lawrence | 19 of 77 | 24% | 12 of 70 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 13 of 61 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 16 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Lawrence backs the boxer up with a side kick and moves around the perimeter as Holloway stalks from the center. Front kicks from Lawrence now, and he steps off after an overhand right. The rangy Holloway pumps his jab, has a high kick blocked, lands a kick low. Holloway gets Lawrence against the fence and throws an ill-timed low kick which catches Lawrence square on the cup. Holloway apologizes immediately and the featherweights resume after Lawrence takes a minute seconds to recover. Lawrence tries to push inside and gets tagged with a left hook, then another as Lawrence shoots. Holloway is dragged down but hops right back up; Lawrence is bleeding from his nose and right eye now. Holloway lands a knee as Lawrence walks inside, and Lawrence responds with a right hook and a left to the breadbasket. Lawrence comes over the top with a right hand and circles off, but Holloway keeps on him, landing another low knee just before the horn.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Lawrence
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Holloway
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Holloway
Round 2
Lawrence resumes his front- and side-kicking while Holloway tries to walk him down and work his boxing. The crowd gets restless after a relatively inactive 90 seconds and Lawrence clips the Hawaiian with a spinning backfist. Holloway lands a stiff right, misses with the knee behind it. Holloway ducks a pair of right hands and responds with punches to the body, then stuffs a shot from Lawrence. Holloway tries to swing over the top and gets pushed away with a body kick. Lawrence dips in with a single left hand and moves back out, prompting more boos. Ninety seconds to go and Lawrence shoots from a mile out, and Holloway easily turns it away. Holloway has closed the gap now and lands a clean right hand, then a knee to the guts against the fence. A one-two over the top clips Lawrence; seconds later, a blistering left to the body has Lawrence seated at the base of the fence, covering up. Holloway smells blood and goes wild with punches, forcing referee Josh Rosenthal into action at 4:49 of round two.
Jun 01, 2012
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Holloway | 1 | 118 of 267 | 44% | 119 of 268 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:57 |
| Pat Schilling | 0 | 27 of 108 | 25% | 27 of 108 | 0 of 17 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:01 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Holloway | 0 | 23 of 75 | 30% | 24 of 76 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
| Pat Schilling | 0 | 11 of 42 | 26% | 11 of 42 | 0 of 7 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:43 | |
| 2 | Max Holloway | 0 | 50 of 101 | 49% | 50 of 101 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:28 |
| Pat Schilling | 0 | 9 of 30 | 30% | 9 of 30 | 0 of 7 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:18 | |
| 3 | Max Holloway | 1 | 45 of 91 | 49% | 45 of 91 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:14 |
| Pat Schilling | 0 | 7 of 36 | 19% | 7 of 36 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Holloway | 118 of 267 | 44% | 86 of 224 | 30 of 41 | 2 of 2 | 105 of 247 | 8 of 13 | 5 of 7 |
| Pat Schilling | 27 of 108 | 25% | 19 of 95 | 5 of 10 | 3 of 3 | 27 of 107 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Holloway | 23 of 75 | 30% | 13 of 61 | 8 of 12 | 2 of 2 | 23 of 75 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Pat Schilling | 11 of 42 | 26% | 7 of 37 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 11 of 42 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Max Holloway | 50 of 101 | 49% | 35 of 82 | 15 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 40 of 84 | 7 of 12 | 3 of 5 |
| Pat Schilling | 9 of 30 | 30% | 6 of 25 | 1 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 9 of 29 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Max Holloway | 45 of 91 | 49% | 38 of 81 | 7 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 42 of 88 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 |
| Pat Schilling | 7 of 36 | 19% | 6 of 33 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 36 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
The lanky Holloway tries to establish his jab while Schilling looks instantly to get the fight to the floor. Just after the 30-second mark, Schilling drives into a single-leg, elevates Holloway and still can't get him to the mat. He drives the Hawaiian across the cage, but Holloway shows off good hips, staying upright, then instantly getting back to his feet when Schilling sucks him to the mat. Body kick lands for Holloway. Right cross and left hook to the body follow for Holloway. Schilling shoots low for a double, then rolls for a leglock but Holloway yanks his leg free and makes him stand again. Holloway pecking at Schilling with rangy punches. Schilling whacks Holloway with a spinning back fist, but promptly resumes walking into right hands. Pair of left hooks to the body for Holloway land and Schilling looks like he's starting to slow from the boxing attack of the Hawaiian. Schilling tries to lunge forward with punches, but either misses or is countered. Holloway cuts a corner on him, putting his back to the fence and punishes him to the body once more. Schilling shoots, Holloway sprawls and walks away, forcing it back to the feet. Head kick-flying knee lands for Holloway, prompting another shot from a desperate Schilling, who rolls for a kneebar at the horn.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Holloway
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Holloway
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Holloway
Round 2
Holloway's jab is in Schilling's face quickly. Holloway nearly flies over Schilling with a flying knee and the Minnesotan takes the chance to go for another single-leg, which is stuffed. Right hook and two follow-up shots land for Holloway. Left hook-right hook from Holloway dazes his foe, who runs into another right and falls down in pursuit of a takedown. Referee Chris Tognoni asks Schilling to stand u and he obliges but he's outclassed. Holloway walks him down into the clinch, pelting him with knees, followed by more punches. Schilling shoots, another easy Holloway sprawl. Left hook to the body. Right, then another left, all to the body. Schilling is target practice. Body shots, both sides, both hands against the fence. Schilling is holding his body as he stands up from the butt scoot. He catches a body kick from Holloway and trips him, but Holloway gets his leg free and walks away. Right hook, then a right hook to the body for Holloway. Another spinning back fist lands for Schilling, but he runs into a right hand just a moment after. Holloway lands a left hook to the body and a salvo of knees on a cowering Schilling at the end of a gruesome second round.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-8 Holloway
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-8 Holloway
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-8 Holloway
Round 3
Schilling continues to stand in front of Holloway, who sticks jabs in his face, then lands another left kick to the body. Schilling gamely continues to throw and try to shoot for takedowns, but Holloway looks like he's in absolutely zero danger and is simply enjoying a sparring session. Double jab smacks Pineda, but the following right cross misses. Another desperate spinning back fist for Schilling goes wide, and Holloway punishes him with a left hook to the body. Right cross from Holloway prompts another easily-stuffed shot, and the Hawaiian throws a knee on the end for good measure. Powerful one-two crashes into Schilling's chin, awkwardly stumbling him back into the corner. However, Schilling remains lucid, and Holloway simply backs away, letting him stand again. Holloway tries to improvise a capoeira-inspired technique off of the fence, but blows it. He retakes his feet and kicks Schilling in the head, pummeling him one more time for good measure before the merciful final horn.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Holloway (30-26 Holloway)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Holloway (30-26 Holloway)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-8 Holloway (30-25 Holloway)
Official result:
All three judges score the bout 30-27 for the winner by unanimous decision, Max Holloway.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dustin Poirier | 0 | 11 of 25 | 44% | 15 of 29 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 3 | 0 | 1:28 |
| Max Holloway | 0 | 11 of 32 | 34% | 11 of 32 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:07 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dustin Poirier | 0 | 11 of 25 | 44% | 15 of 29 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 3 | 0 | 1:28 |
| Max Holloway | 0 | 11 of 32 | 34% | 11 of 32 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:07 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dustin Poirier | 11 of 25 | 44% | 6 of 19 | 0 of 1 | 5 of 5 | 7 of 21 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 |
| Max Holloway | 11 of 32 | 34% | 8 of 26 | 2 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 11 of 30 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dustin Poirier | 11 of 25 | 44% | 6 of 19 | 0 of 1 | 5 of 5 | 7 of 21 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 |
| Max Holloway | 11 of 32 | 34% | 8 of 26 | 2 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 11 of 30 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Holloway (-125), Poirier (+105)
Round 1
A myriad of storylines can and almost certainly will flow from the results of this main event in New Orleans. Holloway (26-8, 22-8 UFC), who has already dropped two in a row to this particular opponent, could become the first athlete in major MMA history to lose two trilogies at 0-3 each. Former interim lightweight beltholder Poirier (30-9, 1 NC; 14-8, 1 NC UFC) plans on saying goodbye, win or lose, although these days an MMA retirement and three bucks can get you a cup of coffee in the morning. Little more needs to be said about these two, who can let their fists do the talking. Referee Jason Herzog calls the two lightweights to the center of the cage to issue final instructions and bear witness to a glove touch, which of course happens because these two are the some of the most highly regarded sportsmen in the industry.
Holloway pushes out his lead hand to gauge his range and feel his weight up a division, and he is elusive early as he darts away from a looping Poirier left hand. Holloway scores a low kick and doubles up on two right hands, before going back to working on the front leg of the hometown fighter. Holloway flicks out a jab and goes to the body, and both fighters kick one another in the lead calf. Holloway digs a kick to the ribs, aiming a second strike at it in rapid succession before tossing a third to the shoulder. Holloway goes for a step-in trip, and he rifles a right hand down the middle that sends Poirier crashing to the canvas. Poirier bounces back up, and Holloway knocks him back down again as he lets his hands go. Poirier once more survives the assault of speedy punches from the Hawaiian, looping a kick at the favorite and drilling Holloway with an uppercut and a body kick. Poirier catches Holloway on the outside with a right hand.
Holloway wades in behind his low kick, and he times a jumping spinning back kick that brushes off Poirier’s ribcage. Poirier rushes in, taking a body shot but still landing punches. Holloway knocks him back a step with a right hand and a head kick, and he spins with another kick to the midsection. Poirier goes up high with a left hook, and he steps away from a winging right hand. Poirier dips and barely blocks a punch in time, but Holloway splits the guard with two punches and an elbow. Poirier pays him back with a pair of hooks, but Holloway answers him immediately and punctuates the flurry with a spin kick. Poirier’s punches ricochet off the guard, but his low kick draws an immediate reaction from his opponent. “Blessed” goes to the body and head with four punches, and his head kick is blocked in the nick of time. Poirier kicks Holloway back in the side, and his jab snaps the head back. Holloway steps in with a right to the body, and his kick is aimed at the same spot. Holloway stomps at the knee with his foot, and he spins with a kick that Poirier parries. The round concludes with Holloway attempting and whiffing with a cartwheel kick.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Round 2
The fighters dump fists to get the second round going, and Poirier pushes the pace almost immediately. Chasing Holloway around, he is unable to catch the Hawaiian, who surges into action behind three- and four-punch combos. Holloway kicks the body and eats a right hand on the way out, resetting to slap out a jab. Holloway gets three punches through the guard, and Poirier backs him off with a straight left hand that grows a mouse under the Hawaiian’s left eye. Holloway goes to the body, and Poirier stings the former featherweight champ with a few good punches. “Blessed” strikes with a body kick that befuddles Poirier, and Poirier has to gather his thoughts and walks into two crisp punches. Poirier settles himself down and flashes out his jab, and he walks into a check left hook. Holloway digs a right to the body and kicks it as well. Holloway splits the guard with three speedy punches, rocking Poirier badly. Poirier tries to fight back, but Holloway backs him up to the fence and lays into him with a barrage of dangerous blows.
When Poirier goes down, Holloway lowers himself down and takes Poirier’s back while Poirier is trying to recover. He briefly flirts with a choke, but lets it go so he can retain top position and bowl Poirier over to his back. All the while, Holloway is landing punches or elbows until Poirier grabs him to stop the attack. Poirier uses an upkick to get some space, and he plays with leglocks to force Holloway to make a move. Poirier’s upkicks allow him to stand back up with a minute to go, and he flusters Holloway with three punches and a kick. Holloway retaliates with a punch that makes Poirier spit, and Poirier goes right after him with three punches and a knee. Poirier’s left to the liver is followed by jabs, and he knocks Holloway down with a right hand behind the ear. With Holloway hurt, Poirier jumps the guillotine to try to submit the Hawaiian. Rolling Holloway over, he gets the choke tight, and time expires before he can get it done. Holloway wobbles back to his corner, with the wild round seeing both men take some damage.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Poirier
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Poirier
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Poirier
Round 3
Both fighters appear to have their sea legs back beneath them, as Holloway leads off with jabs and a jumping body kick. They trade low kicks, and Poirier nods at his opponent. Both fighters score successively, one following the other as they give it as much as they get it. Holloway’s nose starts to show some damage from the left hooks flying at his face, and he gets Poirier’s attention again with a stiff right hand. Holloway stays on the outside with low kicks and a body kick, and Poirier walks him down pecking him with a jab. Holloway’s head movement allows him to avoid a big pair of punched aimed at his cabeza, and he stays just out of range of everything but the jab. Poirier reaches his foe with a left hand, and Holloway responds with a spinning kick to the midsection.
Holloway lines up another body kick, and he clubs Poirier on the side of the ear. Poirier fires back, with Holloway countering him and escaping. Poirier’s jab opens him up to taking a one-two on the forward bow, and Holloway strings together a few more punches to decent results. Poirier jabs his way forward, but Holloway is ready to knock him back across the cage with four rapid-fire punches. “Blessed” keeps throwing, adding more to his growingly long combo as Poirier has to bounce off the cage to reengage. This allows Holloway to spin kick him in the side, and then stutter-step his way in with a left hand that irritates Poirier’s eye. Poirier knocks Holloway back with a right hand at the same time Holloway kicks him in the side, and the ensuing exchanges leads to Holloway pushing off Poirier’s face and poking him. They high-five to get going, and then proceed to punch one another in the face. Holloway’s right hand bounces off the top of Poirier’s head, and they start talking to one another and counting how many times they landed on one another. They whip one another with kicks to the side, and the round concludes with the two men celebrating their handiwork so far.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Poirier
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Round 4
Reaching the championship rounds, the lightweights clap hands to get going. Poirier lands the first solid connect in the form of a left hand up top. He swats out with his jab, and Holloway does the same. Holloway rips a one-two to the midsection, and he backs off to chip away with kicks before rushing in with punches in bunches. Holloway splits the guard with a one-two, kicking at Poirier’s knee when Poirier gets closer. Poirier tags the Hawaiian with a left hand, and he is intercepted when further advancing courtesy of a check left hook. Poirier keeps flashing out his jab, and Holloway dings him with two quick punches. Poirier gets his foe’s attention, and Holloway drills him in the jaw with a right. Poirier spits again and throws caution to the wind, trading hands with the former featherweight champ.
Holloway smashes the body with several high-amplitude punches, skirting around the side to evade the counters. Poirier blocks most of what comes next from his foe, snapping his own jab out. Holloway goes body, body, head, and he kicks the midsection as Poirier tries to catch it. When Poirier sets the leg down, he checks Holloway’s chin with left hooks. Both men nail one another with hard left hands, and Holloway follows one with a right. Holloway slips and rips with a left hand, and his additional blows are blocked by Poirier’s savvy guard. Poirier ducks down to dodge something up high, only for Holloway to jam him in the liver with a crisp left hand. Holloway gets in Poirier’s grill with a number of fast punches, and Poirier swings hard but is only landing one. Poirier looks to the screen to see how much time is left in the round—15 seconds—and Holloway times a spin kick when Poirier goes after him. One big left hand from Poirier concludes the close round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Round 5
Every fan in the building capable of doing so is on their feet as the fifth round begins. Chants for both fighters rain down, with scores that could range from 4-0 Holloway to 3-1 Poirier and anything in between. Poirier starts off the round walking Holloway down, but most of his strikes either hit air or a raised guard. Holloway potshots his advancing foe, jabbing him up and making Poirier nod at him when landing cleanly on him. Holloway gets off an uppercut and slips away, with Poirier chasing after him landing power. Poirier backs Holloway away, doubling up on his jab but taking a liver shot that makes him frown. Holloway digs another to the same spot, and Poirier busts him in the chops with an overhand right. Holloway ducks to go to the body, and he takes a flush jab to counter him to the chest. Holloway mixes his punches together effectively to keep Poirier from coming in freely, and his head kick is blocked easily.
Holloway goes down the middle with three punches, and he blasts the body with a kick that makes Poirier say “Nice!” Holloway continues to pepper Poirier with distant strikes, and his head movement keeps him safe from the worst of what is still aimed at him. Poirier sits down on a right hand that just misses the mark, and Holloway pushes off and his finger slides in the eye socket again. Herzog calls time, and Holloway immediately apologizes. Poirier accepts it, and they get back to it with a high-five. Poirier strides after the Hawaiian with his left hand loaded for bear, and Holloway’s left hook makes Poirier slip. Holloway nails the body with a kick and knocks Poirier back with his right, and Poirier stands right in front of him and nails him with two lefts. Holloway sways and lands, eating one or two but putting a combo on Poirier’s face. “The Diamond” is unbreakable in this matchup, as he keeps going forward despite Holloway connecting cleanly on him. Poirier walks Holloway down, kneeing the Hawaiian in the fade. Holloway points at the ground, and Poirier is in. Holloway unleashes an insane final flurry to light up Poirier, bending him over and hurting him a few times along the way. Poirier tries to strike back, but Holloway has much more in the tank. Poirier settles to try to force a final clinch so his jaw does not get totally broken, and the trilogy match ends in style.
This third fight lived up to the hype in a big way, with five terrific rounds of action that were competitive, thrilling and violent as can be. The victorious Hawaiian takes a very small amount of time to conduct his post-fight interview, calling for anyone to come get his BMF belt while also suggesting he would like to dance with Ilia Topuria again. He then declares that it is Poirier’s moment, and gives it up for “The Diamond.” The two men embrace, and Poirier expresses joy and gratitude for all the love and support he has been given over the years. The promotion hits play on a Poirier retirement package video, and he watches on as emotions understandably swell. If Poirier ever competes again, you best believe we will be here for it and we hope you are too—if he does not, we wish “The Diamond” a happy retirement and thank him for his many years of representing the sport brilliantly. The future UFC Hall-of-Famer removes his gloves presumably for the last time and places them in the center of the Octagon, as Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” plays in the building. Poirier did it his way.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Holloway (49-46 Holloway)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Holloway (48-47 Holloway)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Holloway (49-46 Holloway)
The Official Result
Max Holloway def. Dustin Poirier via Unanimous Decision (48-47, 49-46, 49-46)
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