Max Holloway claimed the “BMF” belt with one of the UFC’s most brutal knockouts.
In the final moments of the match, Holloway moved aggressively and landed a decisive blow on Gaethje, knocking him out with just one second left in the fifth round.
Both fighters started cautiously in the first round. Holloway demonstrated strategic patience and precise strikes, while Gaethje countered with powerful boxing.
The turning point came at the end of the round when Holloway executed a jumping back kick, causing visible damage to Gaethje’s nose. The Cutman attended to Gaethje during the break between rounds.
Things took a bad turn for Gaethje in the second round when Holloway unintentionally poked him in the eyes twice, causing stoppages by referee Mark Goddard, though no points were deducted.
In the third round, Holloway showcased his speed and accuracy, landing significant strikes while Gaethje struggled to find his momentum.
The fourth round saw a shift as Gaethje managed to knock Holloway down with a right hand, the first time Holloway experienced a knockdown in his career.
Prior to the final round, Gaethje’s coach urged him to be more aggressive, but Holloway surprised him with a series of fast and powerful combinations.
In the closing seconds, Holloway landed a decisive overhand right reminiscent of his past victories, securing the win and extending his winning streak to three fights.
At 32 years old, Holloway has defeated Arnold Allen and Chan Sung-jeong in recent bouts, while 35-year-old Gaethje is on a two-fight winning streak with victories over Rafael Fiziev and Poirier.
