Max Holloway takes control to beat Anthony Pettis at UFC 206
The road to UFC 206 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto was tumultuous. Originally, Daniel Cormier was supposed to defend his light heavyweight title against Anthony Johnson, but an injury forced the champion and title bout off the card. That sent off a series of events: Conor McGregor “relinquishing” the featherweight title, Jose Aldo being promoted to champion and the interim strap being on the line in the new main event between Max Holloway and Anthony Pettis.
But things are never that simple. Pettis missed weight by three pounds, putting the new main event in jeopardy as well. Ultimately, the fight moved on with the interim title on the line for only Holloway.
After a round of gaging distance, Holloway dropped Pettis in the second round, but ultimately couldn’t capitalize.
Between the second and third round, Pettis told his corner that he thought his hand was broken. Pettis was tentative throwing strikes with his right hand and it allowed Holloway to take control of the fight and begin to pour it on.
In the waning seconds of the round, Holloway had Pettis crumpled over with his back on the cage and relentlessly threw punches until the referee stepped in to stop the fight.
Holloway spent his post-fight interview calling out Jose Aldo, suggesting he was avoiding him while pitching UFC 208 in Brooklyn, New York, as a potential date for a title unification bout.
Pettis also confirmed that he would not be fighting at 145 pounds anymore, saying the weight cut is too hard and his future is at 155 pounds.
