Max Holloway left it late but he found the finish against Justin Gaethje in the clear frontrunner for 2024’s ‘Knockout of the Year.’

The Hawaiian is looking to be reunited with the UFC featherweight title he held for two years between 2017 and 2019 this weekend in Abu Dhabi where he will attempt to become the first fighter to inflict defeat on the reigning 145-pound champion Ilia Topuria — and he will enter the cage just months out from what is universally regarded as the finest finish of the 32-year-old’s career.

Back in April, Holloway met Justin Gaethje in a lightweight bout which served as the cherry on top of a stacked UFC 300 card in Las Vegas. It was a fight befitting the occasion as, with just seconds remaining in a fight in which Holloway was ahead on the scorecards, he pointed at the canvas and called his opponent into a firefight.

Gaethje obliged and moments later was face-first on the canvas in a moment that will be remembered as one of the finest of Holloway’s impressive career.

A similar outcome this weekend in the Middle East and Alex Pereira will like have some competition on this year’s ‘Fighter of the Year’ lists.

Check out the full bout below, and don’t blink in those final few seconds.

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