Ilia Topuria withstood his first test as UFC featherweight champion with a third-round knockout win over Max Holloway to close out UFC 308 from the Etihad Arena in United Arab Emirates.
The win is Topuria's first successful title defense since defeating Alexander Volkanovski to win the championship at UFC 298 and bumps his undefeated record to 16-0. He also handed Holloway the first knockout loss of his career.
The featherweight championship carries an extensive history of dominant champions. Holloway, Jose Aldo and Alexander Volkanovsi are among the champs who defended the belt more than twice.