Former UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway commented on his defeat to current division champion Ilia Topuria at UFC 308.
On October 26, in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Topuria secured a knockout victory in the third round. This was the first knockout loss of Holloway's career.
Holloway said at the press conference:
I felt great. I was finding my groove. You saw on the scoreboards after, I was kind of surprised. I thought I had at least one of them. In the first round, I know he took me down. Then at the ending he had that takedown. It is what it is. It felt good showing off my hands. I was landing. I was moving fast. I think I had him surprised in there. Like I said, I was doing well until I wasn’t. … Game of inches, man. Game of inches. He landed something that I found myself looking at him, up from the ground. It is what it is.
Topuria previously fought in February 2024 at UFC 298, knocking out Alexander Volkanovski in the second round. He now boasts a record of 16 wins and no losses.
Before that, Holloway entered the octagon in April 2024 at UFC 300, where he defeated Justin Gaethje by knockout in the fifth round. His record stands at 26 wins and eight losses.