Ilia Topuria celebrated as if he won the UFC’s BMF title by knocking out Max Holloway at UFC 308.
Topuria served Holloway his first career knockout loss at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi. After a competitive first two rounds, Topuria battered Holloway in Round 3, eventually dropping the BMF champion with a massive left hand for the finish.
It was a triumphant first featherweight title defense for Topuria after finishing Holloway’s three-time rival, Alexander Volkanovski, for the belt at UFC 298. He remains undefeated in his professional MMA career with eight UFC victories.
In the lead-up to UFC 308, Topuria purchased his own BMF belt to taunt Holloway’s championship. While Holloway’s BMF belt wasn’t on the line at UFC 308, that didn’t stop Topuria from acting as if it was.
Max Holloway blasts Ilia Topuria for wearing the BMF belt in post-UFC 308 celebration
During the UFC 308 post-fight press conference, Holloway reacted to Topuria wielding the BMF belt after the event.
“It is what it is. Could you imagine Islam [Makhachev] walking around with two belts after knocking out [Volkanovski]? Let that sink in,” Holloway said.
“That belt is in a different weight class, for a different reason. I think the fans make it happen, and if the UFC wanted to make it happen, they would’ve put it up. I don’t know why they didn’t.”
In his post-fight remarks, Topuria admitted that it’ll be “weird” for the UFC to still promote Holloway as the BMF champion after UFC 308.
Max Holloway retains the BMF belt despite Ilia Topuria loss at UFC 308
Despite the knockout loss to Topuria, Holloway remains the BMF champion after sleeping Justin Gaethje at UFC 300. He wants to return in 2025, potentially in the summer against a top lightweight.
Before UFC 308, Holloway won three straight, including back-to-back featherweight victories over The Korean Zombie and Arnold Allen. The featherweight title door reopened for Holloway after Volkanovski lost to Topuria in February.
Holloway is regarded as one of the best featherweights of all time after a decorated run as the UFC’s featherweight champion. During his title reign, he defended the belt against Brian Ortega, Frankie Edgar, and José Aldo.
