Ilia Topuria of Spain reacts after a knockout victory against Max HollowayChris Unger/Zuffa LLC
In the end, Ilia Topuria did exactly what he said he'd do.
The featherweight champion was back in action in the main event of Saturday's UFC 308 card in Abu Dhabi, defending his belt against one of the best fighters in the division's history, Max Holloway. Ahead of time, Topuria repeatedly told us that he would become the first man to knock Holloway out — something the likes of Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje have all failed to do — and as doubtful as it seemed, he did it.