ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates – UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria emphatically made good on his promise to knock out Max Holloway on Saturday, becoming the first person in Holloway’s illustrious career to do so.

Topuria (16-0) dropped Holloway (26-8) with a left hook before finishing him with hammer fists at 1:34 of the third round. The featherweight title fight headlined UFC 308 at the Etihad Arena and marked Topuria’s first title defense. He won the title in February with a sensational knockout of Alexander Volkanovski, another all-time great in the featherweight division.

“To beat a legend like Max Holloway, I couldn’t believe it,” Topuria said. “I have followed his entire career, he has inspired me a lot in my career. He has been a great example of a generation. I have always said that I represent the new generation. I hope that I will be a small example for the new generation All credit to Max Holloway.”

It was a classic performance from Topuria, who at 27 is the UFC’s youngest current champion. He noticeably walked through Holloway’s volume, eventually finding the timing and range on his right.

At times it looked like Holloway was on his way to leading the dance and taking control, but Topuria’s pressure and power were relentless. He hurt Holloway badly with a right hand just before dropping him with the left hook.

“I caught him with a lot of punches, but right with that right hand I felt it,” Topuria said. “I saw it in his face, he started to take steps back. You don’t see that often with Max Holloway.”

The win leaves Topuria with several options, although a rematch with Volkanovski is the most likely. Volkanovski attended UFC 308 and told ESPN that he is happy to accept the fight regardless of time or place.

The UFC has explored the possibility of staging a major event in Spain, where Topuria resides, as early as 2025, although nothing has been officially announced. The UFC also has a card in February in Sydney, where Volkanovski is from.

When asked if Volkanovski would be next for Topuria, UFC president Dana White seemed excited about the idea, saying at his post-fight press conference, “We’re not going to say no to Volkanovski.”

Another option for Topuria is Diego Lopes, a rising Brazilian-Mexican prospect who is coming off an impressive victory over former two-time title challenger Brian Ortega. Lopes played a backup role for UFC 308, but he’s likely just behind Volkanovski in line for a title shot.

Topuria has always said he would like to grant Volkanovski a rematch, even though Volkanovski has not appeared since their meeting in February.

Holloway, 32, falls to 0-4 in his past four title fights. Three of those four came against Volkanovski. He promised after Saturday’s game that he would return.

“He just took a shot, and I think it hurt a lot more than I thought,” Holloway said. ‘Hats off to him. No excuses. I came here and did my thing. He was just the better man tonight.”