Max Holloway topped off the best performance of his career with a spectacular no-look punch.
The former UFC featherweight champion put on a striking clinic as he battered Calvin Kattar over five rounds in January 2021.
As the 145lb duo entered the final two minutes of their fight at UFC Fight Island 7, commentators Jon Anik, Dan Hardy, and Daniel Cormier began discussing Holloway’s boxing display.
‘Blessed’ landed 445 significant strikes against Kattar to set a new single-fight UFC record. Meanwhile, his 744 significant strike attempts broke another single-fight record.
The 31-year-old clearly heard what was being said about him as he turned to Anik, Hardy, and Cormier to say: “Count it up!”
‘Blessed’ then proceeded to hit Kattar with a no-look punch before looking at them again and adding: “Count it up! I’m the best boxer in the UFC, baby!”
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Buoyed by the fact his opponent was distracted, Kattar threw a flurry of strikes but none of them landed and he was made to pay for trying to mount a comeback.
Holloway expertly dodged a six-punch combination before pounding his chest and saying to the blood-soaked man standing in front of him: “What’s up? I’m the best boxer!”
The Hawaiian fight star continued to mercifully beat up Kattar until the final bell rang and the judges awarded him a lopsided unanimous decision.
Naturally, Holloway’s performance catapulted him into title contention but it also started a debate between other UFC stars who considered themselves MMA’s best boxer.
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Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, Petr Yan, and Holly Holm are also talented strikers and the conversation about their place in the UFC’s best boxer list continues two years later.
Holloway will get another chance to showcase his skills this weekend.
He’ll fight Chan Sung Jung - also known as ‘The Korean Zombie’ - on Saturday in Singapore after bouncing back from a third defeat to Alexander Volkanovski by outpointing Arnold Allen earlier this year.
Holloway hopes a win at UFC Singapore will secure him another title shot.
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