Holloway Trolls Gaethje's 'Battered' Claim, Cites UFC 300 KO
Max Holloway claps back at Justin Gaethje, pointing to his UFC 300 knockout of Gaethje as proof.
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Max Holloway is calling out Justin Gaethje for leaving him off a list of opponents Gaethje claims to have left battered, pointing to the fact that Holloway is the man who knocked Gaethje out cold at UFC 300.
Gaethje has built part of his reputation on the idea that every fighter who steps in with him walks away worse for it, win or lose. Holloway's response is simple: check the tape from April 2024. Their BMF title fight at UFC 300 ended with Holloway landing a picture-perfect right hand with one second left on the clock, dropping Gaethje face first onto the canvas in what most fight media outlets called the knockout of the year.
What Happened Between Holloway and Gaethje at UFC 300
Holloway and Gaethje fought for the ceremonial BMF title in the co-main event of UFC 300 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Holloway was working behind his jab and outpointing Gaethje for most of the five rounds, then chose to stand and trade with him in the final seconds rather than coast to a decision. The gamble ended with Gaethje unconscious on the mat and Holloway walking away with the belt. It remains one of the signature moments of Holloway's career and a finish that circulated widely as MMA's knockout of the year for 2024.
Holloway needling Gaethje now is less about beef and more about keeping receipts. Gaethje talking up his own violence is nothing new, but Holloway has the one result that directly undercuts the claim, and he's not letting it slide.
Betting Angle
There's no new fight being booked here, just Holloway reminding the MMA world who owns the finish. For bettors, the exchange is a useful gut check on how sportsbooks and fans price Gaethje going forward. Gaethje built his market value on being one of the UFC's most feared finishers, and the Holloway knockout is still the biggest dent in that reputation. Any time Gaethje's durability or finishing gravitas comes up in a future betting line, expect that UFC 300 result to get cited as the counterpoint, and expect Holloway's name to keep coming up as the exception to whatever narrative Gaethje is selling.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Max Holloway say about Justin Gaethje?
Max Holloway mocked Justin Gaethje's claim that he leaves every UFC opponent battered by pointing out that Holloway knocked Gaethje out cold at UFC 300.
What happened when Max Holloway fought Justin Gaethje?
Max Holloway knocked out Justin Gaethje with one second left in the fifth round of their BMF title fight at UFC 300 in April 2024, one of the most replayed finishes in UFC history.
Who won the BMF title fight between Holloway and Gaethje?
Max Holloway won the ceremonial BMF championship by knocking out Justin Gaethje in the final second of their five round fight at UFC 300.
