Topuria & Chimaev overpower legends
Ilia Topuria is still the UFC Featherweight champion of the world. The Georgian Spaniard became the first person to stop Max Holloway in his MMA career. Early on the defending champion committed to calf kicks while the challenger utilized attacks down the middle.
Topuria’s power and how Holloway would handle it was a huge topic of conversation. The BMF champion took several overhand rights without issue but “El Matador” had found his target. While the challenger offensively was racking up the volume as normal a Topuria overhand right staggered the former world champion like we’ve never seen before. Holloway’s back along the fence Topuria sensing a finish found a left hook crumbling Holloway.
The first successful defense on the board for Topuria who intends to give the man he dethroned, Alexander Volkanovski a rematch.
Khamzat Chimaev has vaulted himself to the top of the middleweight title conversation. The week came with the narrative of his aura being gone and the stress of being last on the scale.
Once the octagon door closed Chimaev answered all questions relentlessly attacking Robert Whitaker with takedowns, forcing his way onto the back and nearly instantly forcing the former champion to submit from a rear naked choke on the jaw that broke teeth as soon as it was locked in.
The submission, showcasing powerful ferocity rarely if ever seen. This felt like the kind of statement making win that propels a fighter to the next level.
It likely that Magomed Ankalaev also secure a future title opportunity defeating Aleksandar Rakic by unanimous decision. Likely but not a certainty. Ankalaev pushed and scored nicely with his straight left en route to his 11th win in the UFC. But the performance lacked the wow factor produced in the co-and main event.
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