New Footage of Ilia Topuria’s Initial Reaction to Max Holloway’s KO at UFC 300 Revealed by Israel Adesanya

What happens when a future opponent pulls off a historic KO right in front of you? That’s the situation Ilia Topuria faced at UFC 300! Max Holloway took on Justin Gaethje for the BMF crown on the night and delivered one of the most shocking knockouts of all time. But let’s rewind for a moment. This was only Holloway’s second fight at lightweight inside the Octagon, with his last venture five years prior against Dustin Poirier at UFC 236 in 2019.

Gaethje, fresh off his win for the ‘BMF’ title over ‘The Diamond’, was looking to continue his violent reign in the division. But UFC fights rarely go as planned. And in the final seconds of the fight, ‘Blessed’ delivered a thunderous knockout that’s etched forever in UFC history. But what many didn’t see was Topuria’s behind-the-scenes reaction, which UFC middleweight star Israel Adesanya has now dropped for the world to witness!

Israel Adesanya shares Ilia Topuria’s unseen reaction to Max Holloway’s UFC 300 moment  

When Max Holloway steps into the Octagon, fans expect fireworks, but at UFC 300, he delivered an explosion! In a thrilling lightweight clash against Justin Gaethje, Holloway ended the fight with a KO that left Gaethje face-down on the canvas and everyone watching, including UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria, stunned.

The reigning featherweight champion, known for his stoic demeanor inside the cage, couldn’t hide his shock as Holloway delivered what many have dubbed one of the best knockouts in UFC history. Israel Adesanya, who was also watching the fight, recently shared footage of this unseen moment on his Instagram account, revealing Topuria’s raw reaction.

Before the knockout, the conversation between Adesanya and Topuria had been flowing. ‘El Matador’, analyzing the fight, remarked how predictable Gaethje’s approach seemed. “He’s doing the same thing over and over,” he commented. Adesanya agreed, noting that Gaethje was ducking, almost foreshadowing what would come next.

And then it happened—Holloway’s knockout blow landed, sending Gaethje crashing to the canvas. The mood shifted immediately. Topuria, still processing what had just unfolded, took a deep breath and said, “Today, let’s enjoy it, let him enjoy it…”  

The video showcases a rare moment where it wasn’t about strategy or rivalries. It was about appreciating the brilliance of a fellow warrior. Now, the two men are set to clash against one another at UFC 308 with Ilia Topuria’s featherweight crown on the line. And a former champion who has experience against both inside the cage has revealed his breakdown of this highly anticipated matchup!

‘The Great’ believes Holloway’s endurance may test Topuria like never before

The UFC featherweight division is heating up once again. But before the Octagon door closes behind Max Holloway and Ilia Topuria at UFC 308 on October 26, Alexander Volkanovski, a man who has shared the cage with both fighters, recently gave his expert opinion on this highly anticipated matchup!

‘The Great’ won the featherweight belt from Holloway in 2019 and earlier this year at UFC 298, lost the same title to Topuria via knockout. Speaking to Kevin Iole, Volkanovski stated, “Max has got great takedown defense, so I just think it’s going to be very hard for Ilia to get it there and hold him there.”

One of the major points Volkanovski stressed was endurance. Holloway has shown time and again that he can push a relentless pace for 25 minutes, barely breaking a sweat. Topuria, while powerful, has yet to be tested in a war of attrition at Holloway’s level. As such, the former champion further shared, “He’s (Holloway) just going to get more and more comfortable as the fight goes where that’s unknown territory for Ilia against someone at that level.”

To wrap things up, Volkanovski’s insights paint a clear picture: while Topuria has the power to end the fight early, Holloway thrives in deep waters. As UFC 308 approaches, one thing is clear—this fight will test both men in ways they’ve never been tested before. Will Ilia Topuria’s knockout power prevail, or will Holloway’s endless gas tank and granite chin bring the title he once held back to him? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!