UFC 251 is stacked enough to include three title fights, plus two former champions facing off in a rematch — and that’s on the main card alone!
Mixed martial arts fans love a good fight-ending sequence, as often it summarizes the story of the fight in just a few seconds. Getting the finish is a definitive end to a fight that makes a statement: “I was this much better than my opponent at that particular moment in time.”
Every fighter has their go-to moves, especially specialists within certain martial arts disciplines. Their own signature styles that can lead to spectacular finishes. Whether it’s a scary-good rear-naked choke that fighters just can’t seem to avoid once going to the ground or crazy power in a straight left hand that has dropped even granite-chinned fighters with ease, each fighter has a particular finishing move or sequence. Moves that have stuck in fan’s minds and come to define and describe their careers within the cage.
Max “Blessed” Holloway (21-5 MMA, 17-5 UFC)
Total Number of Pro MMA Finishes: 12
Via KO/TKO: 10
Via Submission: 2
Total Number of UFC Finishes: 11
Via KO/TKO: 9
(Jose Aldo x2, Brian Ortega, Anthony Pettis, Charles Oliveira, Akira Corassani, Clay Collard, Will Chope, Justin Lawrence)
Via Submission: 2
(Andre Fili and Cub Swanson)
Max is a fan favorite on the UFC roster and it isn’t only because of his positive attitude, but for his ability to throw an insane volume of strikes and finish fights as well. Max has been in the UFC since he practically was just a kid, with his debut coming at just 20 years old back in 2012. He’s back at UFC 251 in a rematch with Alexander Volkanovski for the featherweight title.
Hollway’s striking output has produced some truly great finishes inside of the octagon. Like Max’s most recent finish back in December of 2018, when he absolutely demolished the then 14-0 Brian Ortega, forcing the doctor to stop the fight in the fourth round. This fight was one of the greatest title performances of all time and one of the best fights of 2018 as well.
But undoubtedly the most impressive finish (or finishes) of Max Holloway’s UFC career was taking out the greatest featherweight of all time, Jose Aldo. And Holloway did this not just once, but twice, in back to back rematches and in the same round each time like it was nothing. Holloway just showed such dominance in his ability to absolutely overwhelm his opponents with punches and utilizes his very long frame so well.
Max Holloway defeated José Aldo via third round TKO to unify the UFC featherweight title, three years ago today #UFC
pic.twitter.com/ul8ujZ2Iz7— Jon Realejo (@BloodyCanvasJon) June 3, 2020
