(UTV|COLOMBO) – Featherweight champion Max “Blessed” Holloway maintained his grip on the UFC’s undisputed 145lb title with a dominant display against former lightweight champion Frankie Edgar at UFC 240 in Edmonton.
Hawaii’s Holloway, 27, eased his way into the fight before upping his intensity as the fight progressed to secure scores of 50-45 49-46 48-47 on the judges’ scorecards to extend his winning streak at featherweight to 14 with a unanimous decision victory.
Edgar started the fight looking sharp, but as the opening round progressed Holloway started to find a home for his punches, with his right uppercut in particular having repeated success. And as the fight moved into the middle rounds Holloway hit his stride as he loaded up on his strikes and started to catch the New Jersey native almost at will.
And the Hawaiian star’s composure and conditioning held up against Edgar’s relentless forward pressure as he effectively counter-struck his way to a lop-sided victory on the scorecards.
Holloway took a brief break from featherweight title duties earlier in 2019 when he moved up a weight class to challenge for the vacant interim lightweight title against American Dustin Poirier.
But after suffering his first defeat since 2013, he returned to his natural weight class to successfully defend his title and maintain his dominant win streak at 145lb as he further cemented his legacy as one of the best featherweight fighters in UFC history.
After his win, Holloway said he wanted to prove a point by outworking Edgar, who has a well-earned reputation as one of the fittest fighters in the sport.
“Everybody said I wasn’t going to be able to wrestle with this guy. Everybody said I wasn’t going to be able to stay with his pace.
“I wanted to prove a point and go five rounds with him so I can let the world know that I’m here to stay, and the ‘Blessed’ express is still on the move. Choo choo!
“Frankie is a true warrior. He’s the guy who inspired me to be here. You’re the man, Frank.”
Meanwhile, a crestfallen Edgar paid tribute to the champion, saying: “I expected everything he brought. Max is a stud, man. He represents our sport to the best, represents this division to the best. He’s the best guy in the world.
“I need to go back to the drawing board and regroup. I’m not done. I’ve got a lot of fight in me, man. Max is the best guy in the world and I fought pretty damn tough.”
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