‘Iconic’ Holloway ‘Always Been That Good’

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

Max Holloway has proven to be one of a kind in mixed martial arts (MMA).

The newly crowned Baddest Motherf—ker (BMF) champion stunned the world at UFC 300 this past weekend (April 13, 2024). Holloway, 32, returned to the Lightweight division for the first time in approximately five years for his five-round war with Justin Gaethje. An appropriate underdog, Holloway outperformed all expectations as he was firmly in control of the bout until the final bell. In vintage fashion, Holloway pointed to the center of the Octagon with 10 seconds remaining and left it all on the line. One big right hand at the one-second mark slept “The Highlight” (watch highlights).

MMA fans and fighters worldwide lost their collective mind when the knockout happened. Amongst those watching was Holloway’s former rival and former Featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski. Having fought and defeated “Blessed” thrice, Volkanovski knows more than anyone what Holloway is capable of, which is why he believed in the Hawaiian’s ability to pull off the upset. However, he was admittedly still surprised by the finish.

“The biggest moment of the card, obviously, was Max Holloway and Justin Gaethje,” Volkanovski said on his YouTube channel. “I told yas not to count Max Holloway out. The way people were talking about as if it was like these guys are on a whole different level, I just couldn’t believe it. Even the size difference. Yeah, I didn’t think that was the case at all so I was quite surprised how people were talking.

“Obviously, I didn’t expect him to get a knockout,” he concluded. “That was a surprise to me, but I expected him to be in a good chance to be very competitive or even win. I picked him to win.”

Most who watched the action play out in the BMF title tilt were in agreement that Holloway was on his way to winning a clear 49-46 decision with the fourth round as the only one he dropped. Well, unless you’re judge, Junichiro Kamijo, who had the fight tied up two rounds apiece going into the fifth.

Holloway’s entertaining conclusion to the bout was completely unnecessary, and that’s why fans love him. His recent inability to recapture the 145-pound title along with his previous Lightweight loss soured fans on the idea of his chance against Gaethje. Volkanovski never saw a decline in “Blessed” despite his recent path.

“He was up four rounds to one with one second to go,” Volkanovski said. “That’s when he got the finish but 10-15 seconds out, he’s like, ‘Let’s do it.’ Iconic Max Holloway moment with Justin Gaethje when he’s already four rounds up. Talk about BMF, mate. Kudos to him for that. That was pretty incredible. Then they just go for it. Max was even winning them exchanges and then just goes boom. Lights out. Did not see that coming at all.

“Again, I was expecting him to win, but not like that,” he continued. “Absolutely blown away. Incredible performance. Like I said, Max has never lost it. A lot of people, even with our fights, after the last one, were [talking] as if Max was done and dusted. I was like no, that’s not the case at all. He’s always been that good, and you just seen that once again. Credit to Max Holloway.”

For complete UFC 300 results, coverage, and highlights click HERE.