Last night, the UFC returned to Toronto, Ontario, Canada for the first time in more than three years. It did so with UFC 206, a card that, despite being short on big names, delivered as one of the best in recent memory.
UFC 206 was headlined by a featherweight bout between streaking Hawaiian contender Max Holloway and former lightweight champion Anthony Pettis. Originally this fight was intended to be an interim featherweight title fight. When Pettis missed weight for the fight, however, he lost the opportunity to win interim gold. Only Holloway was eligible to win the title in victory – and win it he did.
Though Pettis put up a good fight, he struggled with Holloway’s rangy, standup attack for the opening bell. Then, late in the third round, he was hurt by a kick to the body, and polished off by a meteor shower of punches to to the head.
Holloway’s interim title winning TKO win occurred at the 4:50 mark of round three.
Here’s how the MMA community reacted to the Hawaiian’s belt-winning performance.
MMA is a tough sport. Ask any other prosssional athlete would they switch to be a fighter! Pretty sure you'll get NOs across the board!!!
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) December 11, 2016
Wow. Don't know what started that .. a body kick maybe?? Awesome job @BlessedMMA #ufc206
— Felice Herrig (@feliceherrig) December 11, 2016
Was the body kick!
advertisement – continue reading below— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) December 11, 2016
Holloways wins via 3rd round TKO. Great finish. Flurries to the body and head. Interim champ!
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) December 11, 2016
Max's wings tattoo took to flight!! Come back Max! Wow, awesome KO! #UFC206
— Angela Hill (@AngieOverkill) December 11, 2016
Congrats @BlessedMMA way to represent for true athletes who always make weight #ufc206
— Ricardo Lamas (@RicardoLamasMMA) December 11, 2016
Great finish by @BlessedMMA! Made it look easy #ufc
— James Vick (@JamesVickMMA) December 11, 2016
Yes! Great performance by @BlessedMMA super sharp, technical, and jumped on the finish! Dudes a badass #ufc206
— BRYAN BARBERENA (@bryan_barberena) December 11, 2016
Hate seeing friends lose but @Showtimepettis is a champ and will come back stronger.
— player/coach (@CMPunk) December 11, 2016
Max is an excellent fighter. Shows you can be in a striking battle & don't need to be all bloody/bruised after. Clean performance. #UFC206
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) December 11, 2016
Congrats to the Hawaiian boys! Great fight! That unification fight gonna dope!!#UFC206
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) December 11, 2016
Having won the interim featherweight title, Holloway can now look forward to a featherweight title unifier with Jose Aldo, who was recently promoted from interim champion to undisputed champion when Conor McGregor was stripped of the undisputed belt.
Holloway will enter his bout with Aldo, which is rumored for UFC 208 in Brooklyn but is not yet official, with a 17-3 overall record. He’s currently riding a fantastic, 10-fight win-streak, which is far and away the best streak in the featherweight division, and one of the very best in the UFC overall.
What did you think of Max Holloway’s lopsided defeat of Anthony Pettis? Do you think he can defeat Jose Aldo to become the undisputed featherweight champion? Let us know what you think in the comments, PENN Nation!