Max Holloway’s buzzer-beater KO of Justin Gaethje might be the most incredible KO in UFC history.
In case you somehow missed it, here is a look at how Holloway finished Gaethje with just one second remaining on the clock.
Unfortunately for UFC Light Heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, Holloway’s KO happened about an hour before his main event destruction of Jamahal Hill.
If you missed Pereira’s finish, here is a look at it. However, as is the case to a degree with Holloway’s finish, context is required. Pereira had just been kicked in the cup—you can hear the sound in the clip.
Referee Herb Dean heard it and began to step in. Without taking his eyes off Hill, Pereira extended his right arm to tell Dean not to halt the action.
Ten seconds later, he flattened Hill with a short left uppercut he’d been setting up the entire first round and pounded him out before pouring salt into the wound with a Khaby Lame taunt.
In case you’re unfamiliar, Lame is the most viral TikTok creator in the world, and he’s no stranger to MMA. Check out this video featuring Pereira’s rival, Israel Adesanya.
Holloway’s finish sent fans into a frenzy.
It was the sort of emotional dump that can happen at a concert when an energetic performer rocks the house with upbeat hits, and the headliner is forced to follow them on stage.
Sometimes, the crowd isn’t as into it for the headliner.
Fans at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for UFC 300 were hyped for Pereira’s pause KO and immediate taunt, but it’s hard to blame anyone for catching their breath following Holloway’s BMF performance.
The post-event conversation about UFC 300 is dominated by topics surrounding Holloway and his likely next opponent, Ilia Topuria. Even before the conversation began after the event, Pereira was snubbed in the performance bonus recognition.
UFC CEO Dana White did say that he would “take care of” Pereira and the other fighters on the card who scored a win by finish, but that almost suggests the finishes from Deiveison Figuieredo, Jiri Prochazka, Kayla Harrison, Diego Lopes, and Renato Moicano were on par with Poatan.
If that’s the thought process, I disagree. Despite being outfought for most of the fight, Prochazka got the nod for an official bonus for his second-round TKO of Aleksandr Rakic.
Holloway deserved his $600,000 in bonus money, every accolade, and any title shot he wants after his virtuoso performance against Gaethje.
However, I can’t help but think the brilliance in Pereira’s KO isn’t being fully appreciated because Holloway’s spectacular finish snatched our collective attention and energy.