LAS VEGAS — It’s always a pleasant surprise when things live up to the hype, and maybe even exceed expectations, right?
UFC 300 was touted as the ultimate night of fights in combat sports history. Quite an audacious claim, no doubt. Just pure sensationalism. But as the fists started flying at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, and when all was said and done, I had to concede that this was, without a doubt, the greatest night of professional fighting I had ever witnessed.
Perhaps it shouldn’t come as a shock. When you assemble a lineup featuring 13 current or former champions, you’re bound to witness something remarkable. But this exceeded mere greatness. This was truly extraordinary.
Much of the credit goes to Max Holloway. For weeks, he had been defiant against those who doubted his decision to move up in weight for the BMF title fight against Justin Gaethje. Despite his previous loss at 155 pounds, Holloway was determined to forge his path to legendary status in the sport. And how could he achieve that without taking bold risks to accomplish legendary feats?
As the final seconds of the last round ticked away in a fight that he seemed destined to win, Holloway didn’t just settle for victory. He beckoned Gaethje to meet him in the center of the cage for one final exchange. It was a risky move, to say the least. It was Gaethje’s last chance, and Holloway willingly offered it to him. Winning the fight would have sufficed, but risking it all in such a daring manner seemed almost reckless.
Then, in the eye of the storm, Holloway landed a clean right hand. Gaethje crumpled to the mat as the fight ended with a single second remaining. The deafening roar of the crowd confirmed that Holloway had indeed etched his name into the annals of fighting legends.
It was a legendary finish, one of the most dramatic ever witnessed in MMA. And there were still two more bouts to unfold.
The UFC aimed to deliver a centennial event that surpassed its predecessors. While lacking marquee names for the main event, the depth of the roster shone through, providing a cumulative magic. Having someone like Holloway as an undercard attraction? That’s a luxury few promoters enjoy, and a treat that fight fans might barely deserve.
A few other highlights from UFC 300…
-
Alex Pereira promised Jamahal Hill that he’d make him regret mocking the champion with his pre-fight antics. Standing over Hill after a first-round knockout in the main event, Pereira gestured at him repeatedly, signaling the fulfillment of his prophecy.
-
In a sport brimming with tough competitors, Pereira exudes a different level of intimidation. His stoic demeanor belies a constant intensity. After defending his 205-pound title, he expressed interest in moving up to heavyweight. When you’ve already conquered two UFC divisions, why not aim for a third? Whoever faces him in that weight class must have nerves of steel.
-
Alternatively, if Pereira remains in the light heavyweight division, Jiří Procházka’s TKO victory over Aleksandar Rakić makes a strong case for a rematch. Procházka’s unwavering self-belief, despite appearing to be losing, sets him apart as a formidable opponent. Pereira may have triumphed before, but a rematch could yield a different outcome.
-
Zhang Weili’s UFC strawweight title defense against Yan Xiaonan was more challenging than anticipated, but she emerged victorious. Leveraging her evolving wrestling skills, Weili overcame a resilient challenger. Her victory solidifies her status as a formidable puzzle for her rivals to solve.
-
With the arrival of Kayla Harrison, the women’s bantamweight division is set for an exciting resurgence. Harrison’s dominant UFC debut against former champ Holly Holm injects new energy into the division. If she can consistently make weight, she poses a significant threat to every 135-pounder. Even Amanda Nunes, as evidenced by her reaction on fight night, is reinvigorated by Harrison’s presence.