The UFC 300 results lived up to its billing and then some.
Alex Pereira punctuated the event with a vicious left-hook knockout of Jamahal Hill to successfully defend the UFC light heavyweight belt. However, it was Max Holloway’s buzzer-beating KO of Justin Gaethje that stole the show.
“Poatan” Puts “Sweet Dreams” To Sleep
The Brazilian champion did not like Hill’s trash-talking leading to the fight. He vowed to make this moment unforgettable for “Sweet Dreams” and did just that.
With less than two minutes remaining in the first round, Pereira waived off Herb Dean and delivered an onslaught. He advanced in a calculated manner and landed his patented left hook that dropped the 32-year-old American. The champion then landed a flurry of hammer fists to seal the deal.
I guess you just don’t want to make “Poatan” angry.
“I talked to my team before that I want to fight five rounds… He behave not so good, he started being respectful during the week and then he did the press conference and the weigh-in, so the least I could is do that to him.“
Alex Pereira on why he wants to knock out Jamahal Hill
“Blessed” Banished “The Highlight” To The Shadow Realm
The BMF title is basically a useless belt for promotional purposes, but with fights like this, it makes a case for its existence.
Holloway, a former UFC featherweight champion, dominated Gaethje for the majority of the five rounds. The Hawaiian broke the former UFC interim featherweight champ’s nose at the end of the first round. As a natural 145er, he used his quickness to his advantage often and effectively.
That said, Holloway could have just coasted in the last seconds knowing he won comfortably. Knowing the 32-year-old, that’s not what happened. Instead, he called Gaethje in the middle of the ring to exchange blows in the last 10 seconds. “Blessed” landed an overhand right to The Highlight’s temple that knocked him out cold face-first in the canvas.
UFC 300 Bonuses
With the win, Holloway was a beneficiary of the $300,000 bonus twice. The UFC gave him Performance of the Night and Fight of the Night bonuses to raise the total to $600,000. Of course, the willing dance partner, Gathje, also received $300,00.
The other Performance of the Night winner was Jiri Prochazka after mauling Aleksandar Rakic in the second round. With such an exciting bout like that, it’s hard to deny BJP another shot at the title.
