Justin Gaethje and Max Holloway at UFC 300 ceremonial weigh-in Credit: Gabriel Gonzalez/Cageside Press
The main event of the people. BMF title match. A full-length violent classic. A strong candidate for Fight of the Night. There were many ways to watch Justin Gaethje vs. Max Holloway at UFC 300, and you’ll probably watch it.
Gaethje vs. Holloway arrived safely at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday night despite a car accident, with Gaethje landing an early left hook. Holloway kept moving, moving his left hand to keep his distance. About two minutes later, Holloway did some damage to Gaethje’s damage king, landing a left shot that hurt Justin.
Max landed right hands to the body and appeared to have considerable success against the BMF champion early on. His right hand supported Justin. He quickly counterattacked, which also landed and forced “Blessed” to retreat.
Just before the buzzer sounded, Holloway landed a spinning back kick that bounced nose-first to the body, staggering Justin Gaethje and potentially breaking Gaethje’s nose.
Holloway attacked the body with right hands starting in the second round, mixing in kicks to the legs and body. Justin counters with a low kick. In another attack by Holloway, Gaethje received a nasty poke in the eye that made him wince. After just one minute, he was able to continue working, but his symptoms worsened. In “The Highlight”, blood leaks constantly from his nose, leaving a mark on his chest. Still, Justin followed up his overhand with a kick, showing he still has power. The next moment, another eye poke landed. This time it was the thumb in Holloway’s opposite eye.
Gaethje was again able to continue the match, and the referee cautioned Holloway. They will go back and forth to finish the frame.
After two rounds down, Gaethje picked up his kicks and took the lead in the third round. But it was Holloway who beat BMF with a right hand! Another combo from Max, and Gaethje looked staggered. Justin then nearly ducks into a spinning back kick again, but he pulls up just in the nick of time.
Heading into the championship rounds, there was a good chance Justin Gaethje would be down three rounds, but his corner advised that the previous rounds had been “close.” But despite the damage Justin sustained to his leg, Holloway looked as healthy as ever. Gaethje turned up the heat and landed on Max, but Holloway blasted his opponent in response, landing combos to the body and head that hurt Justin. Another person followed. Gaethje found his opening, but his nose was in disarray and Holloway’s jab cracking his guard for further touch-ups didn’t help.
Near the final moments, Gaethje shook Holloway and briefly dropped him – the first time Max had ever been dropped! But Holloway quickly got back on his feet. Max probably slowed down just a little bit and Gaethje connected with the side of his head with a right flash before the horn.
In the final round, the match turned out to be what fans expected when it was first announced, despite an early foul. Max Holloway hit another spinning kick early in the match and was rewarded throughout the match. Then Holloway shook Justin! Gaethje covered while Holloway threw about five punches, returned one, and somehow survived. He narrowly missed Max with another roundhouse kick. Holloway was flowing. Left lands on Gaethje. Max was showing his creative side, but the final moment came.
It lasted only one minute. Gaethje continued to attack, attempting a cartwheel kick. And even though he was well ahead on the scorecards, Holloway pointed to the ground with about 15 seconds left. Justin accepted and they started pitching furiously. Max Holloway made the crucial connection with two seconds left, pinning Gaethje in the face with a right hand!! Incredible last two seconds from Max Holloway in style true to the reason the belt exists in the first place. He won the BMF title at the finish.
— UFC (@ufc) April 14, 2024
Official Results: Max Holloway def. Justin Gaethje KO, Round 5, 4:59
