Years before Max Holloway knocked out Justin Gaethje to win the UFC’s BMF title, he flattened another Justin inside the Octagon for his first finish.
BMF titleholder Max Holloway is weeks away from his return to the Octagon against Dustin Poirier at UFC 318. Holloway will be Poirier’s final career opponent, as Poirier is planning on retiring from MMA, win or lose, after the New Orleans homecoming pay-per-view card.
Holloway has become one of the UFC’s biggest stars, with a ferocious style inside the Octagon. He’s won fights in just about every fashion imaginable, including his buzzer-beating knockout of Justin Gaethje to win the BMF championship at UFC 300.
Ahead of Holloway’s return to the cage at UFC 318, let’s look back to when the Hawaiian earned his first TKO win in the promotion against Justin Lawrence at UFC 150.
Max Holloway collapsed Justin Lawrence for first UFC finish at UFC 150
Holloway and Lawrence, a former standout on The Ultimate Fighter 15, squared off on a massive card at UFC 150. The event was headlined by a lightweight title clash between then-champion Benson Henderson and Frankie Edgar.
Holloway vs. Lawrence kicked off the main card with an exciting first round of the fight. The second round didn’t disappoint either, as both featherweights traded heavy blows inside the Octagon.
But Holloway appeared the fresher fighter in the waning minutes of Round 2, as Lawrence appeared fatigued and noticeably slowed down in his activity. As the seconds ticked down in the second round, Holloway closed the show with a brutal body punch that left Lawrence wincing in pain, before Holloway sealed the deal with brutal ground-and-pound.
Watch Holloway’s finish below at UFC 150.
Holloway would go on to lose two of his next three fights, including a unanimous decision defeat to Conor McGregor in 2013. But Holloway’s losing skid was brief, leading to a 13-fight win streak which included title wins over Jose Aldo and Anthony Pettis.
Holloway’s return at UFC 318 marks his full-time move to the lightweight division, after falling to Ilia Topuria at UFC 308 in October.
Max Holloway learned how to strike in MMA by playing video games
Holloway’s elite MMA striking wasn’t built in the gym, it initially came to life under unique circumstances. In an appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience, Holloway shared he learned how to fight by playing the UFC video game, learning numerous advanced techniques from gaming sessions that he transferred into his approach in the Octagon.
Holloway is seeking revenge against Poirier at UFC 318, as he looks to spoil Poirier’s retirement fight. Holloway is 0-2 all-time against Poirier, including a submission defeat at UFC 143.
Holloway is looking to make another all-time memory inside the Octagon in July.