One of MMA’s featherweight legends decided to call it a career after going out on his shield in an exciting battle in Singapore.
Former 145-pound champion Max Holloway met Chan Sung Jung in the main event of UFC Fight Night 225 at Singapore Indoor Stadium in what was an emotional night for both fighters, before and after the bout.
Holloway (25-7 MMA, 21-7 UFC) entered the octagon with a heavy heart with thoughts of the Hawaiian wildfire destruction on his mind, while a potential retirement loomed for Jung (17-8 MMA, 7-5 UFC). Oddsmakers had Holloway listed as a massive favorite in the contest, and he proved them right by landing a knockout punch 23 seconds into Round 3.
After emotional walkouts for both fighters, it was time for the featherweights to get to action. They respectfully touched gloves in the center and began looking to find the range as the Singapore crowd chanted for “The Korean Zombie.”
Holloway stalked forward offering punches as Jung sent leg kicks the other direction. Jung landed nicely with a punch that appeared to knock Holloway off balance, but as he rushed in to capitalize, he got clipped and wobbled by a counter, foreshadowing the final outcome.
As the round continued, both fighters landed nicely until the final second, but the crowd reactions to Jung’s connections were much louder.
Early in the second as they began to exchange, Holloway caught Jung with a hard right hand that sent him to the canvas. Jung scrambled to get a hold of a leg, but Holloway countered by locking in a D’arce choke. Referee Marc Goddard checked on Jung’s arms at one point to ensure he wasn’t out, but Holloway eventually gave up on the attempt.
The fight returned to the feet where they would trade strikes in heated exchanges for the remainder of the round.
Jung came out on fire in Round 3, immediately looking to create a brawl. While he initially landed clean punches on Holloway, the approach would prove to be a mistake.
Holloway kept his guard up as he weathered the storm and waited for his opportunity to land a counter. Jung left an opening, and Holloway took it by landing a crushing right hand that required no follow-up punches. Jung was out cold on the canvas and the celebration for the former champion began.
WHAT A COUNTER FROM HOLLOWAY 💥 #UFCSingapore pic.twitter.com/T48E35Ugro
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) August 26, 2023
“I can’t even talk about the fight right now, the only thing on my mind is Lahaina, Maui. This one is for you guys,” Holloway said to begin his post-fight interview with Michael Bisping. “… Whatever you guys can do to share the world, please help my fellow Hawaiians. It really means a lot.”
"Lahaina, Maui, this one's for you guys." ❤️@BlessedMMA | #UFCSingapore pic.twitter.com/RXd86TB9bc
— UFC (@ufc) August 26, 2023
Holloway then addressed the chaos that unfolded at the start of Round 3.
“I’m just lucky my right hand landed before his,” Holloway said.
Bisping then spoke with Jung, who removed his gloves and announced his retirement.
“I’m going to stop fighting,” Jung said through an interpreter after the fight. “I’ve always aimed to become a champion when I first started the sport. I’m not here to be ranked third, fourth or fifth. I tried my absolute best to prepare for Max Holloway. I really, really believed I could beat him, but I ended up failing.”
A legend of the game!
Congratulations on an absolutely incredible career, @KoreanZombieMMA 👏👏👏 #UFCSingapore pic.twitter.com/do5xlv8W0Y
— UFC (@ufc) August 26, 2023
Full UFC Fight Night 225 results include:
- Max Holloway def. Chan Sung Jung via knockout (punch) – Round 3, 0:23
- Anthony Smith def. Ryan Spann via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Giga Chikadze def. Alex Caceres via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Rinya Nakamura def. Fernie Garcia via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-27)
- Erin Blanchfield def. Taila Santos via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Junior Tafa def. Parker Porter via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 1:24
- Waldo Cortes-Acosta def. Lukasz Brzeski via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 3:01
- Garrett Armfield def. Toshiomi Kazama via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:16
- Michal Oleksiejczuk def. Chidi Njokuani via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:16
- Song Kenan def. Rolando Bedoya via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Billy Goff def. Yusaku Kinoshita via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:49
- JJ Aldrich def. Liang Na via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 4:49
- Seungwoo Choi def. Jarno Errens via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 225.
