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Topuria was a massive favorite when he put his Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight title on the line against interim champion Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250. After battling through a body shot in the second round, the latter rallied in the third and fourth rounds to pile on the damage, prompting a corner stoppage before the fifth.
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Max Holloway breaks down Justin Gaethje’s boxing performance against Ilia Topuria
Having faced both fighters, Holloway wasn’t surprised by the result of the last lightweight fight. He was, in fact, caught off guard by how Gaethje was largely being counted out. However, what left the former featherweight and BMF champion stunned was the way Gaethje handed “El Matador” his first professional loss.
While “Blessed” believed Gaethje could win, he thought “The Highlight” would use his signature leg kicks. Seeing his compatriot outbox Topuria, who is considered one of the most technically sound and powerful boxers in the UFC, piqued the Hawaiian’s attention.
“I wasn’t shocked. I knew he could win. I was shocked at how much people didn’t give Gaethje a shot, actually. But I thought Gaethje would win. The thing that shocked me wasn’t the win; it was the way he won,” Holloway said in a recent interview. “I thought he was gonna have kicks, leg kicks. He outboxed a good boxer in there and a power puncher. He did what he did with boxing. That’s what blew my mind. I knew he could win; I thought he could win, especially with the grit and stuff. And he showed, Gaethje, man, you can’t count that man out. He’s an animal.”
Topuria (17-1) had defended his featherweight title just once, handing Holloway (27-9) his lone knockout loss, before moving up to lightweight. The latter returned to the win column with a decision win against Dustin Poirier, but then lost his BMF belt to Charles Oliveira. He’ll take on Conor McGregor at UFC 329 on Saturday, July 11, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
This article first appeared at Recent News on Sherdog.com
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