14 Apr - 
Max Holloway knocks out Justin Gaethje in UFC 300 'BMF' bout

For the first time, a fighter attempted to defend the symbolic 'BMF' belt.  

Lightweight contender Justin Gaethje won the 'BMF' title by knocking out Dustin Poirier at UFC 291 last June.  On Saturday, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Gaethje faced former featherweight titleholder Max Holloway with the 'BMF' title on the line.  

Coming off a head kick knockout over Poirier in his last outing, Gaethje entered the fight confident and looking to extend his two-fight winning streak.  

Holloway entered UFC 300 also riding a two-fight winning streak and going up a division.  He was coming off a 'Fight of the Night' knockout win over Chan Sung Jung in his last bout.    

Holloway pawed with his jab before going to the body with a right hand.  Gaethje pressed forward with a heavy right hand that missed.  Gaethje delivered a leg kick and Holloway did not check it.  Holloway pressed forward with a combination.  Gaethje responded with a calf kick that briefly swept Holloway off his feet.  Holloway connected with a combination.  Gaethje pressed forward and landed a right hand.  Holloway landed a left hook that stunned Gaethje.  

Holloway remained measured.  He landed to the body with a right hand.  The crowd began changing 'Holloway.'  Gaethje stepped forward with a leg kick.  He went high with a kick but Holloway blocked it.  A right hand landed for Holloway.  Gaethje continued using leg kicks.  Holloway connected with a big right hand.  Gaethje responded with a right.  Holloway connected with a spinning back kick to the face at the end of the round.  MMAWeekly scored the first frame 10-9 for Holloway.  

Gaethje entered the second round with blood coming from his nose.  Holloway delivered a kick to the body in the opening seconds of the round.  Gaethje's mouth is open due to not being able to breath out of his nose.  Holloway connects to the body with another kick.  Gaethje delivered a leg kick and Holloway responded with a right hand to the body.  Holloway accidentally poked Gaethje in the eye.  The doctor was brought in to check Gaethje but Gaethje said he's okay to fight.  

The action was restarted with three minutes remaining in the round.  They exchange leg kicks.  Holloway checked that one and continued to target the body of Gaethje.  Gaethje landed a right hand followed by a leg kick.  Gaethje connected with a counter right hand.  Holloway again accidentally poked Gaethje in the eye.  The referee didn't take a point and the fight was restarted.  

Holloway landed to the body with a left hand.  Gaethje's corner was telling him to pressure Holloway.  Gaethje delivered a hard leg kick that buckled Holloway's leg.  Holloway stepped in the pocket with a combination.  Gaethje responded with another leg kick.  They exchange at the bell with Holloway landing a right hand at the end.  MMAWeekly scored the second round 10-9 for Holloway.  

Holloway landed a right hand.  Gaethje delivered a front kick to the body.  Gaethje went high with a kick but Holloway blocked it.  Gaethje unloaded a right hand and Holloway responded with a left hook.  Gaethje connected with a lead left hook.  Holloway stepped in with a huge right hand.  He followed it up with a spinning back kick to the body.  A right hand by Holloway knocked Gaethje down.  Gaethje immediately got back to his feet and uncorked a right hand that missed.  

With two minutes left on the clock.  Holloway landed a spinning back kick to the body.  Gaethje went to his best weapon this fight, his leg kick.  Holloway landed a right hand.  Gaethje responded with a right.  Holloway connected with another right hand.  Gaethje went high with a kick at the bell but it was blocked.  MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Holloway.    

Heading into the fourth, Holloway appeared to be pitching a shutout.  Gaethje came out more aggressive and landed a kick to the body.  Holloway went to the body with a left hand followed by a kick to the body.  Gaethje connected with a combination.  Gaethje landed another combination but Holloway circled away.  Holloway connected with a right hand that hurt Gaethje.  They exchanged jabs.  Holloway found a home with his right hand.  Gaethje responded with a hard leg kick.  Gaethje pressured Holloway and landed a right hand.  

With two minutes left in the round, Holloway landed a combination.  Gaethje pressed forward but walked into a counter right hand.  Holloway delivered a knee to the body.  Gaethje went back to landing leg kicks.  A right hand by Gaethje knocked Holloway down.  Gaethje pressured him and landed another right hand.  It's the first time Holloway had been knocked down in his UFC career.  The round ended with Gaethje landing a right hand.  MMAWeekly scored the round for Gaethje 10-9.  

The two took the center of the octagon to start the final round.  Gaethje landed a jab.  Holloway fired back with a kick to the body.  Gaethje stepped in with a combination.  Holloway answered with a spinning kick to the body.  They exchanged leg kicks and Gaethje pressed forward.  Holloway landed a right hand that wobbled Gaethje.  A follow up right hand dropped him.  Gaethje got to his feet and Holloway poured it on.  Gaethje fired back.  Holloway stepped back and delivered a spinning back kick to the body.  

Back in the center of the cage, Holloway landed a right hand.  Holloway landed another right hand.  Holloway went to the body with a right hand and then back up top with a left.  Gaethje landed a right hand.  Holloway landed to the body with a kick as Gaethje missed with a right hand.  After taking a leg kick, Holloway switched stances.  Holloway pointed to the floor with 10 seconds remaining motioning to throw down.  They did.  Holloway landed a right hand that left Gaethje face first on the canvas.  The official time of the knockout was 4:59 of the final round.   
Source : https://www.mmaweekly.com/news/max-holloway-knocks-out-justin-gaethje-in-ufc-300-bmf-bout