Ilia Topuria acquired up and operating as featherweight champion at UFC 308, with a history-making knockout of Max Holloway.
After two tense, closely-fought rounds, Topuria damage Holloway with a proper cross within the third body, earlier than dropping the previous champion with a left hook.
Topuria, 27, then poured on floor and pound to pressure a stoppage, turning into the primary fighter to knock out the Hawaiian, 32.
With that, Topuria constructed on his title win from February, when he knocked out long-reigning champion Alexander Volkanovski.
Saturday’s end in Abu Dhabi additionally stored Topuria unbeaten, because the Spanish-Georgian moved to 16-0.
“Wow, I don’t know what to say to be trustworthy,” Topuria mentioned within the Octagon after his win. “To beat a legend like Max Holloway…
“He impressed me a lot in my profession, he’s been a fantastic instance for the following technology. I hope I’m gonna be a small portion of the instance he’s been to me, for the following technology.
“I caught him with many punches, however precisely with that proper hand, I felt it. I simply noticed it in his face. He began stepping again, and also you don’t see that always in Max Holloway.
“My brother advised me from the nook: ‘Preserve pushing.’ And at last I get the knockout.”
Volkanovski then entered the cage, the place he and Topuria confirmed mutual respect, earlier than the latter vowed to supply the Australian a rematch.
“We’re gonna do it once more, you deserve that,” Topuria advised Volkanovski, 35, whereas additionally acknowledging rising contender Diego Lopes, who was at ringside.
Within the co-main occasion of UFC 308, Khamzat Chimaev additionally stayed unbeaten, submitting ex-champ Robert Whittaker within the first spherical of their middleweight conflict.
