UFC featherweight contenders Max Holloway and Yair Rodriguez went to war at UFC Vegas 42. Both men, from start to finish, were looking to finish each other. They produced one of the contenders for the fight of the year.
‘Blessed’, after a five-round thriller, came up on top via a unanimous decision.
If you want to be the best, you got to beat the best…
🌺 @BlessedMMA just defended his #1 contendership with a sensational performance! #UFCVegas42 pic.twitter.com/nrmbTcx860
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) November 13, 2021
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There was genuine excitement surrounding the fight, and the MMA community couldn’t wait for it to start. Some of the biggest names in the game gave their thoughts about it.
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The MMA world couldn’t hold back the excitement
Current UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski couldn’t hold his excitement back.
Excited for this one!! 👀 #UFCVegas42
— Alex Volkanovski (@alexvolkanovski) November 13, 2021
Gilbert Burns, one of the top welterweights in the world, was on team Max Holloway.
Let’s go @BlessedMMA pic.twitter.com/NbtN0xPRLo
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) November 13, 2021
UFC welterweight Belal Muhammad expected the fight to be the fight of the year.
Man this bout to be fight of the year
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) November 13, 2021
One of the UFC light heavyweight contenders, Jamahal Hill, was interested in watching the former champion Holloway fight.
I'm always hype for a Max fight!!! One of my favorite to watch!!!#UFCVegas42 #MainEvent
— Jamahal Hill (@JamahalH) November 13, 2021
Throughout the fight, Yair Rodriguez was targeting Holloway‘s left leg, and Teddy Atlas compared it to Poirier vs. McGregor 2.
Rodriguez using strategy of Poirier vs. McGregor in 2nd fight taking out leg. #UFCVegas42
— Teddy Atlas (@TeddyAtlasReal) November 13, 2021
Former Bellator and One Championship welterweight champion Ben Askren was watching the fighter as well. He acknowledged how Holloway was turning up the pace in the fight.
Man holloway is starting to turn it up!! Will be interesting to see how the leg affects him as the fight goes on.
— Funky (@Benaskren) November 13, 2021
UFC commentator Joe Rogan felt the fight was outstanding.
This fight is outstanding!! https://t.co/65nKxK3IVq
— Joe Rogan (@joerogan) November 13, 2021
UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling looked super excited about the fight and gave his opinion.
This fight is MAD! Round 3, lehgoo! #UFCVegas42
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) November 13, 2021
‘The Notorious’ Conor McGregor, who has been having a war of words with Holloway for the past few days, was also watching. He seemed to stare down ‘Blessed.’ Future fight incoming?
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) November 13, 2021
Molly McCann was satisfied after watching both men go through a war.
I can sleep well after watching that ! Max and Yair take a bow lads
— Molly McCann (@MeatballMolly) November 13, 2021
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Forrest Griffin loved the fight. For him, it was a great event.
Every other week is the best @ufc fight I’ve ever seen. @BlessedMMA @panteraufc thanks guys
— Forrest Griffin (@ForrestGriffin) November 13, 2021
MMA Journalist Ariel Helwani believed Max won, and he turned out to be correct.
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What a freaking fight. Wow. I think Max wins 49-46.
Let’s talk about it!
Come join 'Holloway vs. Rodriguez Post-fight Show' on Greenroom! https://t.co/1mhiC6q0f5
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) November 13, 2021
It was a constant back-and-forth battle between the two warriors. ‘El Pantera‘ constantly targeted Hollway’s leg and had him in trouble, but he got through that to get the win. Holloway is now the clear number 1 contender for the featherweight title.
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What did you guys make of the fight? Is Max Holloway the most entertaining fighter in the UFC right now? Let us know in the comments!
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