Max Holloway Finishes Anthony Pettis, Wins Interim Title
The time arrived for the main event of UFC 206 inside the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. Max Holloway (17-3) went toe-to-toe with former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) lightweight champion Anthony Pettis (19-6). If Holloway won, he would be awarded the interim featherweight title. Pettis didn’t get that opportunity due to missing weight.
We have an interim champion, which means Holloway is on his way to facing Jose Aldo to unify the featherweight title.
A jumping switch kick attempt from Pettis got the fight underway. Pettis landed a couple of leg kicks. “Showtime” threw out a kick combination first going low then ending high. A right hand to the body was there for Holloway. A spinning back kick to the body pushed “Blessed” back. A kick to the body connected for Pettis. Holloway landed a leg kick followed by a left hook. Pettis went for a takedown at the end of the round, but didn’t have much time to work with.
Before the second round began, the swelling on Pettis’ eye was apparent. Holloway hit Pettis with a shot to the chest, which caused him to be off balance and he went down. They engaged in the clinch and Holloway landed a right hand. They separated and Pettis went for a capoeira kick. “Blessed” landed some punches to the body. A right hand found the mark for Holloway. Pettis pushed Holloway against the fence, but ate a knee to the body in the process. “Blessed” stuffed the takedown attempts of “Showtime” until the horn sounded.
The pay-per-view broadcast revealed that at the end of the first round, Pettis told his corner that he broke his right hand.
The third round began and Pettis opened up with kicks to the leg. Holloway landed a left hand. A head kick from Pettis grazed “Blessed.” Holloway accidentally kneed Pettis low and time was called. The action resumed and Pettis landed a kick to the body. Holloway moved forward, but Pettis had some good defense. Holloway swept Pettis, but he wanted the fight to remain standing. Some short elbows landed for “Blessed” with his back against the fence.
He landed a kick to the body on the break. A jab countered Holloway’s combination attempt. “Blessed” landed a body kick. A trip from Holloway allowed him to get in side control. Once again the fight resumed standing. A spinning back kick to the body was there for Holloway. Pettis was stunned with shots to the body and Holloway swarmed him with strikes until referee Yves Lavigne stopped the fight.
Final Result: Max Holloway def. Anthony Pettis via TKO (Strikes) – R3, 4:50
