Years before Max Holloway Justin Gaethje switched off to win the BMF title of the UFC, he flattened another Justin in the Octagon for his first finish.
BMF title holder Max Holloway is weeks away from his return to the Octagon against Dustin Poirier on UFC 318. Holloway will be the last career offstander of Poirier, because Poirier is planning to withdraw from MMA, Win of Lose, after the New Orleans Homecoming Pay-per-View-View-view.
Holloway has become one of the greatest stars of the UFC, with a wild style in the Octagon. He has won fights in just about every conceivable fashion, including his buzzing knockout from Justin Gaethje to win the BMF championship at UFC 300.
Prior to the return from Holloway to De Kooi on UFC 318, let's look back at when the Hawaiiaian achieved his first TKO victory in the promotion against Justin Lawrence on UFC 150.
Photo by Nick Laham/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Max Holloway collapsed Justin Lawrence for the first UFC finish on UFC 150
Holloway and Lawrence, a former striking on the Ultimate Fighter 15, Kwadraten on a massive map on UFC 150. The event was led by a lightweight conflict between the then Champion Benson Henderson and Frankie Edgar.
Holloway vs. Lawrence started the main map with an exciting first round of the fight. The second round did not disappoint, because both featherweights exchanged heavy strokes in the octhoek.
But Holloway appeared the fresher hunter in the decreasing minutes of round 2, when Lawrence seemed tired and noticeably delayed in his activity. While the seconds ticked in the second round, Holloway closed the show with a brutal body-punch, causing Lawrence to shiver from pain, before Holloway closed the deal with brutal ground-and-pound.
View Holloway's finish below on UFC 150.
6) Max Holloway Def. Justin Lawrence by KO/TKO (Punches) 11 August 2012 pic.twitter.com/11apro7rxq
– Cash 🦦 (@rubberguardkid) 4 September 2024
Holloway would lose two of his next three fights, including a unanimous decision defeat against Conor McGregor in 2013. But the losing skid of Holloway was short, which led to a 13-fighter win racing with title victories on Jose Aldo and Anthony Pettis.
The return of Holloway to UFC 318 marks its full -time move to the lightweight division, after he had fallen to Ilia Topuria on UFC 308 in October.
Max Holloway learned how to strike in MMA by playing video games
The Elite MMA from Holloway MMA was not built in the gym, it initially came to life under unique circumstances. In an appearance on the Joe Rogan experience, Holloway shared that he learned to fight by playing the UFC video game, learning countless advanced techniques of game sessions that he has transferred to the Octagon in his approach.
Holloway is looking for revenge on Poirier at UFC 318, while he wants to spoil Poirier's pension fight. Holloway is always 0-2 against Poirier, including an entry defeat at UFC 143.
Holloway wants to make another all time in the Octagon in July.