Max Holloway Retires Chan Sung Jung in Thrilling UFC Fight Night 225 Main Event

Max Holloway once again proved his legitimacy as the second-best featherweight in the world after finishing the indestructible Chan Sung Jung in the UFC Fight Night 225 main event at Singapore’s Indoor Stadium.

For years Holloway (25-7) and "Korean Zombie" have circled each other as potential opponents in the Ultimate Fighting Championship featherweight division. Despite Jung’s decline in age, the Zombie’s high-octane, all-guts style brought out the violence in the blessed one.

Holloway came out poised and patient as usual but seemed shocked by the spring in the Zombie’s step. Jung (17-8) landed several hard shots and forced Holloway to sit on his punches and trade. After the first round, it was clear that it wasn’t going to be a walk in the park for the UFC’s No. 1 ranked featherweight contender.

Heading into the second round, Holloway looked to put Zombie away and nearly did after dropping him with a hard right hand. Holloway pounced on the choke, but Jung’s blank, expressionless demeanor carried him through the next round.

Knowing that he was down on the scorecards, Zombie went for broke in Round 3. He recklessly came out charging Holloway and landed multiple hard blows before Holloway shifted into southpaw and put in down for good with a wicked lead hook. The fight was officially stopped 23 seconds into the third round.

Post-fight, Holloway showered praise for the MMA legend and gave attention to his loved ones in Hawaii dealing with the devastating Maui wildfires. Sensing his time was up after 25 epic fights, "Korean Zombie" retired in the Octagon.

Smith Edges Spann

Light heavyweight staples Anthony Smith and Ryan Spann’s rivalry entered its second chapter in the co-main event and didn’t disappoint. After splitting the first two rounds, Smith and Spann fought down the wire until Smith was ultimately given the nod by a razor-thin split decision (29-28, 28-29, 28-29).

At 35, Smith still looks like one of the sharpest light heavyweights in the world. In round 1, Lionheart peppered Spann with jabs and picked his shots wisely. All that would change in the next round.

Feeling the pressure to step it up, Spann showcased his fight-ending power in round two and nearly put Smith to sleep. Superman landed a crushing left hook that quickly closed Smith’s eye. Before the final round, the ringside doctor examined Smith and granted him the opportunity to continue.

Smith (37-18, 12-8 UFC) took advantage and traded back and forth with Spann to close out the fight. The arena was silent as the scorecards were announced. The fight could’ve gone either way, but Smith’s quick sharp shots were just enough to edge out Spann’s otherworldly power.

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Chikadze Outstrikes Caceres

No. 9 ranked featherweight Giga Chikadze successfully rebounded from his first UFC loss with a solid test in Alex Caceres (30-27, 30-27, 30-27). Coming in, Chikadze was known to be the more polished striker but the awkward timing and unique style of "Bruce Leeroy" gave Chikadze trouble at times.

The bout was well-matched, with both men having their moments, but Chikadze’s power was a clear difference in the fight. While Cacerers flicked his shots, Chikadze’s blows landed with a thud, and it gave him an advantage in exchanges. In all, Chikadze got back on track against another talented featherweight.

Now back in the winning column, Chikadze (15-3, 8-1) wants to cap off the year with his first appearance on a pay-per-view card.

Nakamura Shines Against Garcia

Rinya Nakamura could be one of the most well-rounded prospects that the bantamweight division has seen in a while, and he proved that in a dominant display over tough journeyman Fernie Garcia (30-26, 30-27, 30-27).

Nakamura had his way with Garcia all day and nearly finished him on several occasions. Whether it was an arm triangle, armbar, kimura, etc. Nakamura threatened Garica with submission attempt after attempt but couldn’t be the first man to finish the stubborn Garcia.

Having improved to 8-0 (4-0 UFC), Nakamura’s rise up the bantamweight radar is certain, but who will be the first man in the top 15 to give him a test?

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Blanchfield Rallies Past Santos

UFC women’s flyweight boogeywoman Erin Blanchfield passed one of the toughest tests in her career in former title challenger Taila Santos (29-28, 29-28, 29-28). After securing her ninth straight win, Blanchfield called for a title shot against the winner of Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko, but there’s still room for improvement before Blanchfield (12-1, 6-0 UFC) takes her shot at the gold.

Santos (19-3, 4-3 UFC), who last fought for the belt in June 2022, looked sharp in round one and cracked Blanchfield with several hard shots. Blanchfield, a submission specialist, forced her takedown attempts and was met with flush right hands whenever she tried to storm Santos against the cage.

Blanchfield turned the tide in round two as her superior gas tank began to take over. Blanchfield secured ground control and drained Santos of most of her energy. Heading into round three, both fighters were tired, but Blanchfield was clearly fresher. Santos’ sharp counters from round one were few and frequent as “Cold Blooded” brought the pressure. Blanchfield and Santos slugged it out for the final 10 seconds and left the fans in Singapore wanting even more. It was an impressive showing from Santos coming off a 14-month layoff, but Blanchfield’s gas tank and high-level grappling once again proved why she’s one of the most dangerous title contenders in the sport.

Tafa Steamrolls Porter

The prelims delivered all the violent action you could want, and knockout artist Junior Tafa carried that energy into the main card. Tafa (5-1, 1-1 UFC) starched Parker Porter early in the first round of their heavyweight clash with an elbow from the otherworld.

Tafa wasted little time walking down Porter (13-9, 4-4 UFC) and showed impressive technique in the clinch. “The Juggernaut” was violent, sharp and proficient in his first showing since his first career loss to Mohammed Usman last April. After falling short on the cards to Usman, Tafa left no doubt and left Porter flat on his face a mere 1:24 into the opening round.

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