Historic Knockout: Pro Fighters React to Ilia Topuria’s Knockout of Max Holloway at UFC 308
Historic Knockout: Pro Fighters React to Ilia Topuria’s Knockout of Max Holloway at UFC 308

Historic Knockout: Pro Fighters React to Ilia Topuria’s Knockout of Max Holloway at UFC 308

Topuria’s historic KO reshapes the featherweight landscape.
October 28, 2024

Ilia Topuria continued his rise in the featherweight division with a decisive victory over Max Holloway at UFC 308, defending his title with an impressive knockout in the third round. This historic event marked the first time Holloway, renowned for his durability and skill, was finished by knockout. The moment has sparked reactions across the MMA community, solidifying Topuria as one of the most formidable fighters in his division.

A Historic Moment in Featherweight History

Topuria’s achievement against Holloway is monumental for several reasons. Already known for his power, Topuria first gained the featherweight title by defeating Alexander Volkanovski earlier in 2024, making him the first to beat Volkanovski in featherweight competition. His victory over Holloway has now set him apart further, not only as the champion but as the first fighter to knock out Holloway, a former featherweight titleholder and one of the sport’s toughest competitors. Holloway controlled the pace early, but Topuria’s aggression and precise striking ultimately proved too much for him, culminating in a powerful right hand that sent Holloway to the canvas, followed by a barrage of ground strikes to close the fight.

Fighters and Fans React on Social Media

The dramatic outcome sparked widespread reactions. Brian Ortega anticipated an intense fight with the tweet,

“Who else is thinking the first 10 secs might have them pointing to the middle of the ground @ufc”—hinting at the action-packed start everyone expected.

Kevin Iole expressed excitement as Holloway hit the cage, while BJ Penn’s team rooted for Holloway with a passionate message:

“The best is @BlessedMMA! Let’s go Max!!! #JustScrap”.

Natan Levy, a UFC fighter himself, noted Holloway’s iconic walkout referencing

“Holloway with the Akatsuki walk out?”

Renato Moicano weighed in after the fight, noting the balance of skills in the matchup and commending Topuria’s decisive finish:

“Very powerful max with the very good reach!!! Competitive first round!!! But topuria got it on the end #ufc308”.

Finally, Nazim Sadykhov captured the high-level nature of the bout, observing,

“Max and Ilia both make each other look vulnerable. Very high-level stuff #UFC308”.

 

TRENDING:

Holloway’s Next Steps

In a social media statement post-fight, Holloway congratulated Topuria and hinted at his potential future plans. Reflecting on his career and resilience, he acknowledged the unpredictability of the sport, adding,

“The Blessed Express ain’t stopping here. We on our way to a new destination”.

His words resonate with fans who admire his commitment, even as he considers a possible move to the lightweight division after years dominating at featherweight.

Sources: MMAnytt.se

https://twitter.com/JourdainAir/status/1850274045041803455

https://x.com/MrMWells/status/1850277901243142248

https://twitter.com/mma_kings/status/1850283514165616754

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