UFC 300: Max Holloway takes 'BMF' title with 1 of the wildest KOs in MMA history
Max Holloway is a certified BMF. And then some.
The former UFC featherweight champion defeated fan favorite Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 on Saturday, winning the promotion's ceremonial "BMF" belt in the wildest fashion possible. Seconds from a clear unanimous decision win, Holloway pointed to the center of the Octagon and goaded Gaethje to go full throttle to the buzzer.
The result was not just the clear Knockout of the Year, but perhaps the wildest knockout in the 21-year history of the UFC.
— UFC (@ufc) April 14, 2024
— UFC (@ufc) April 14, 2024
Gaethje was left unconscious, face down on the mat as Holloway walked away with a primal scream. Even with two title fights on the docket, it was the clear highlight of the highly anticipated night and a career-defining moment for what was already one of the most accomplished fighters in UFC history.
Holloway used the occasion to call for not just a title fight against current featherweight kind Ilia Topuria, but lightweight champ Islam Makhachev as well.
"I’m him, guys! I’m him!" Holloway said. "El Matador, he is running away from the bull and running for his life. Time to sign the contract. Spain, Hawaii, whatever. Even Islam. Islam is famous for defending against 45ers, right? I’m him. I’m right here."
"Any weight, I’m a gladiator. I don’t care. Whoever’s next, sign on the dotted line, let’s get it."
Holloway also called to receive a $600,000 bonus for the effort. It's hard to argue he didn't earn it.
Max Holloway had the win, then went for glory at UFC 300
Making a jump to lightweight for the second time of his career, the 32-year-old Holloway displayed some vintage form, outstriking Gaethje in every round while simply operating at a different speed. Gaethje's nose was bleeding hard after the first round, and he just couldn't keep up as the fight progressed.
Holloway held a steady advantage throughout the first round, then finished it with an exclamation point. The former champ landed a spinning backheel directly to Gaethje's nose, sending him reeling as the bell sounded. Gaethje spent much of the time between rounds touching his nose in discomfort, with a break looking very possible.
The second round was an opportunity for Holloway against an injured opponent, and wound up being a bad look. Holloway poked Gaethje hard in the left eye, then got him again minutes later with a thumb to the right eye. Fortunately, Gaethje is one of the last fighters on the UFC roster who would let a fight end on an eye poke, and he insisted on proceeding during both timeouts.
Gaethje and Holloway are going all out for the BMF title 🔥 #UFC300 pic.twitter.com/0OjZqv9tI3
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) April 14, 2024
The hits just kept coming from Holloway in the third round, and most of the fourth. The UFC's all-time leader in significant strikes was putting on a clinic, up until Gaethje dropped him out of nowhere and put him on his heels for much of the rest of the round.
Holloway survived, though. He had the decision win in his pocket thoughout the fifth round, then decided to throw it to the wind, stepping into a phone booth with one of the most dangerous knockout artists in the promotion.
It was pure, uncut MMA greatness, to the delight of the crowd and the detriment to Gaethje's consciousness.