As promised, both fighters called for a slugfest as the bout began, but then the fight started at long range, Holloway busy as Topuria pressured, then took the challenger down twice. Upon rising, Topuria landed a hard right hand and started mixing kicks in. Holloway kept firing, though, landing more and more as the round progressed.
Topuria’s power shots began to find their mark with more frequency in round two, and while they got Holloway’s attention, he didn’t stray from his gameplan or lower his work rate, as he continued to outwork the champion.
