Max Holloway Praises Justin Gaethje After UFC 300 KO Win: 'A True BMF in Every Way'

After their epic clash at UFC 300 on Saturday, newly crowned BMF champion Max Holloway had a kind message for former titleholder Justin Gaethje.

Holloway took to social media and praised Gaethje for his toughness, calling him "a true BMF in every way."

Holloway became the third UFC BMF champion in company history when he knocked Gaethje out cold with one second remaining in the final round. Despite appearing to be on his way to a clear-cut decision victory, Holloway pointed to the center of the Octagon with 10 seconds left in the fight and invited Gaethje to swing away to the finish, and the Hawaiian landed a devastating right hand that folded Gaethje:

The moment earned universal praise and will go down as one of the most exciting finishes in UFC history.

"That's why Max Holloway is beloved," UFC president Dana White said at his post-fight news conference. "He's got the fight won and in there with one of the most dangerous fighters in the business. That's like movie s--t. It's the fight of the year. If something beats that as fight of the year, holy s--t."

After his victory, Holloway took aim at UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria, who was sitting cageside.

"I'm him! I'm him, guys! There's 'El Matador,'" he said during his post-fight interview while pointing to Topuria. "He's running away from the bull!"

Holloway, who held the undisputed featherweight title from 2017 to 2019 with three successful title defenses, is now on a three-fight win streak that includes back-to-back wins at 145 pounds. He appears to have set himself up for the chance at becoming a two-time featherweight champion with Saturday's monumental victory.