Max Holloway Finishes Jose Aldo In His First Title Defense

Max Holloway extends his win streak to twelve with a TKO over Jose Aldo.

Over the course of three rounds, Max Holloway traded punches with Jose Aldo. During that time, the damage to Aldo became too much and Holloway poured on the pressure until he finished Aldo in the third round. 

You can see an excerpt from the fight in our live coverage below. 

Round Three: The round begins with Holloway coming forward and swinging away at Aldo, Aldo goes back to attacking Holloway with leg kicks. Holloway charges at Aldo while throwing a punching combination, Aldo nails Holloway with an elbow strike after a brief clinch. Holloway and Aldo get into a wild striking exchange that rocks them both, Holloway attempts a high kick and Aldo blocks it. Holloway rocks Aldo badly during a pair of punching combinations, Holloway backs Aldo into the cage wall while assaulting him with a plethora of unanswered punches. Aldo goes for a takedown and Holloway winds up in top position, Holloway attacks Aldo with a lot of ground and pound until the referee jumps in.

Official Result: Max Holloway def. #1 Jose Aldo by TKO via strikes (4:51, R3) to retain the UFC Featherweight Title

Holloway told Joe Rogan in his post-fight interview that he wanted to take Aldo to "deep water" and he said he wore Aldo down before finishing with the TKO. Holloway then called the featherweight division "cupcakes" and claimed he would be willing to "eat" any of them. The last time Holloway lost a fight was against Conor McGregor in 2013. 

See our full UFC 218 Fightful.com post-show Podcast at this link.