Waianae’s Max Holloway extended his UFC record of consecutive wins in the featherweight division to eight with a unanimous decision over Jeremy Stephens in the opening bout of the UFC 194 pay-per-view telecast from the MGM Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Two judges scored the fight 30-27 while a third had it 29-28 for Holloway (15-3, 11-3), who also holds the mark for most victories in the UFC at 145 pounds.
Holloway grabbed the microphone from UFC commentator Joe Rogan immediately after the fight and asked for a title shot, but that will likely go to Frankie Edgar, who knocked out Chad Mendes on Friday night.
Edgar is ranked No. 2 in the division while Holloway was fifth heading into this week’s fights.
Holloway went the distance for only the second time during his winning streak but got better with each round.
His best was the third when he successfully took down Stephens and unloaded a series of ground and pound strikes. He eventually secured Stephens’ back and nearly ended the fight with a rear-naked choke before both fighters got back to their feet.
In the final 15 seconds, both Holloway and Stephens unloaded a flurry of wild shots to bring the crowd to its feet as the final bell sounded.
“He hit a little harder than I thought he would,” Holloway said after the fight. “I’m a mixed martial arts guy, I’m not just a striker. I’m growing with the sport and I can’t wait.”
In a preliminary bout broadcast online on the UFC’s Fight Pass channel, Makaha’s Yancy Medeiros claimed his third UFC win with a split decision victory over John Makdessi in a lightweight bout.
Two judges scored the contest 29-28 for Mederios while a third had it 29-28 for Makdessi. The fight was decided in the final 10 seconds when Medeiros dropped Makdessi with a left hook to the head that likely swayed the final round in Medeiros’ favor.
“I’m so happy that I was able to go out there and get the win for all my fans and most importantly for Hawaii,” Medeiros said. “The plan going in was to use my range and force Makdessi to over commit. He has a tendency to open up when he throws the overhand so I was waiting for my moment.”
Medeiros improved to 12-3 overall and 3-3 in the UFC with his third win in four fights while Makdessi dropped to 12-5, 6-5.
McGregor stops Aldo
in just 13 seconds
Conor McGregor stopped Jose Aldo with one spectacular punch just 13 seconds into the first round in the main event, backing up his bravado and claiming the undisputed featherweight title at UFC 194.
McGregor (19-2) finished the fight with an electrifying exchange shortly after the opening bell, slipping Aldo’s lead right and cracking him on the jaw.
Aldo (25-2) hit McGregor with a left, but the champ fell senseless to the ground and McGregor pounced.
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The Associated Press
contributed to this report
