Max Holloway, a fighter celebrated for his incredible durability across a career spanning over thirty professional bouts, recently offered a counter-intuitive perspective on punching power within the UFC`s elite ranks. Despite being the recipient of a history-making knockout loss to Ilia Topuria, the “BMF” titleholder suggests another opponent left a more profound impression with their strikes: Justin Gaethje.
Holloway`s career boasts a remarkable resilience, having absorbed countless shots from the best in the world without being stopped. That changed at UFC 308 when Ilia Topuria delivered a knockout blow in the third round, a moment Topuria had confidently predicted. It was the first time Holloway was formally knocked out in his extensive career, cementing Topuria`s reputation as a devastating finisher.
However, when reflecting on the physical impact felt during his fights, Holloway points to his high-stakes battle against Justin Gaethje at UFC 300. That fight, a back-and-forth war culminating in a dramatic last-second knockout victory for Holloway, involved sustained exchanges with Gaethje, known for his concussive power and punishing leg kicks.
Comparing the Impact: Holloway`s Assessment
In a recent interview, Holloway discussed the power felt from Topuria. While acknowledging the undeniable outcome – a knockout loss – he noted that in the heat of the moment, Topuria`s strikes didn`t necessarily feel overwhelmingly harder than those from other opponents. It was the *result*, the body`s unexpected reaction, that underscored Topuria`s power.
But when asked to compare that sensation to facing Justin Gaethje, Holloway`s answer was telling. Against Gaethje, he stated, “I felt some things.” This succinct phrase encapsulates the sustained, heavy pressure and impactful strikes that Gaethje delivered over their nearly five-round encounter. Gaethje not only possesses significant hand power but also utilizes arguably the most damaging leg kicks in the sport, adding another layer to the punishment he inflicts.
Holloway elaborated that while Topuria`s knockout speaks volumes and makes a strong case for him being among the pound-for-pound hardest punchers, especially given the visible effect he has on his opponents, the persistent, heavy nature of Gaethje`s power felt more immediate and profound during their contest. It`s a subtle but significant distinction between a single, fight-ending shot and the cumulative effect of fighting someone who consistently lands with immense force.
Understanding Topuria`s Knockout Ability
Adding another layer to the discussion, fellow UFC featherweight Josh Emmett, who went five rounds with Topuria – a feat no other fighter has matched against the undefeated champion – offered his analysis. Emmett agrees that while Topuria is an exceptional finisher, it`s not simply raw, brute force that defines his power.
According to Emmett, Topuria`s effectiveness stems from a combination of excellent footwork, maintaining optimal striking position, exceptional speed, and, critically, precision and accuracy. Topuria isn`t necessarily “loading up” on every shot, but rather landing strikes with pinpoint accuracy and speed while perfectly positioned. This technical proficiency allows him to generate significant power efficiently, leading to fight-ending moments even if the individual impact doesn`t always feel like the hardest hit in the moment.
This analysis from both Holloway and Emmett paints a nuanced picture of punching power. While Topuria possesses the undeniable ability to end fights with one shot, felt most acutely in the unexpected nature of the knockout, fighters like Gaethje deliver a type of sustained, heavy impact that resonates differently, even if it doesn`t always lead to a clean knockout. It seems there`s more than one way to hit hard in the world of mixed martial arts.
