Ilia Topuria did not fail in the first defense of the featherweight world title and beat Max Holloway in a fight resolved in the third round, when the Spanish-Georgian knocked down the candidate, number 2 in the category, with a left foot. A victory that the fighter celebrated by kissing King Emeritus Juan Carlos, present at the evening held last night at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi as one of the 18,000 attendees at the UFC 308 event.
Topuria (16-0) started his fight ahead of schedule after Chimaev’s quick victory over Whittaker. He entered with his particular song The Mariachiwhich sounded like notes of glory, since the last time it sounded was before making history after defeating Volkanovski and winning the championship belt. The Matador He debuted his golden gloves and fulfilled his promise to point to the center of the octagon, as he announced he was going to do in press conferences prior to the fight in order to imitate the American’s famous gesture against Ricardo Lamas in 2016, which became symbol of competition.
Topuria had vowed to become the first man to knock out 32-year-old Max Holloway, and he did so while maintaining his own unbeaten record of 16 wins and zero losses. “I hope to be a small example for the new generation, just as he has been for me,” said Topuria in honor of his rival at the end of the fight.
The defending champion opened the fight with the traditional Holloway gesture of pointing to the center of the ring, indicating that he wanted to get to the point. Holloway, instead, pointed to where he was standing. Topuria took the first round, wounding his rival with kicks to the lead leg to take him to the ground twice. Holloway, known for his great ability to withstand blows, was subjected to the great striking power of the Hispanic-Georgian.
The second round went to the Hawaiian, who reacted in time and knew how to deliver several forceful blows to his rival, who in turn continued with the zapping work on the legendary candidate’s lower body. The reward came in the third round thanks to two accurate blows that ended Holloway on the ground, the eighth defeat in 26 victories for the Hawaiian.
Last night was Topuria’s first title defense since he won the belt with a technical knockout against Alexander Volkanovski on February 17. Topuria’s consecutive victories over Holloway and Volkanovski make him a candidate for wrestler of the year. Volkanovski was actually present on Saturday, and Topuria said he would honor him with a rematch. “You deserve it, you’re the man,” Topuria told Volkanovski, who entered the octagon after the fight.
After the fight, the undefeated champion reaffirmed that his next title defense will be held in Madrid, and declared that he does not want to “fight with anyone”, only with those who are “at his level and represent a challenge”, which anticipates a 2025 great challenges. “I don’t want to be the typical one who defends his title 30,000 times, I like fights that generate expectations. I only want to fight with people who are ahead of me or represent some kind of challenge,” he said. The next challenge at his height is the double belt in the lightweight category.
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