Usman: ‘Legit Eye Pokes’ Helped Holloway ‘Alter The Outcome’

Former UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway captured the “BMF” crown with a sensational, fifth-round knockout victory over longtime lightweight contender Justin Gaethje as part of the UFC 300 pay-per-view (PPV) event last weekend in Las Vegas.

But “The Highlight” may have already been cooked by the time that happened.

“We can’t shy away from the fact that this man took the kick to the nose,” Gaethje’s friend and teammate, Kamaru Usman, said on his “Pound 4 Pound” podcast (transcribed by MMA Junkie). “Was it the end of the first round, just seconds left or if not zero time left, took that kick to the nose, which plays a huge, huge part in potentially moving on in the fight because now you can’t breathe the way you want to breathe in that fight. And on top of that, we have to see the two eye pokes. I mean, they were clear-cut legit eye pokes, and it wasn’t that Max was doing it maliciously or on purpose. They happened, and these are the type of things that can alter the outcome of a fight.”

Perhaps the promotion’s fancy new gloves can help prevent a repeat of that situation.

“I think the place where things kind of might have went sideways is making the necessary adjustments in the fight,” Usman continued. “I think Justin is such a freaking good guy, which is why he is your favorite fighter’s favorite fighter. He loves to entertain so much to where it’s, ‘Okay, you paid to see this type of fight; I’m going to give you that type of fight.’ He’s that type of guy and to where I thought he could have made some adjustments. He is a wrestler. This fight is completely different had Justin changed levels and took Max down once or twice, and he can do it. He can 100 percent do it.”

Holloway is expected to return to featherweight for an Ilia Topuria title shot later this year.