On This Day in 2017: Max 'Blessed' Holloway Brutally Finished Jose Aldo to Claim the Featherweight Throne

(Image Credit: Leo Correa / Associated Press)

On this day in 2017, a star was officially born in the UFC featherweight division. At UFC 212 in Rio de Janeiro, on June 3rd, Max “Blessed” Holloway, just 25 years old at the time, put on a career-defining performance as he defeated UFC legend Jose Aldo via third-round TKO to become the undisputed UFC featherweight champion for the first time in his UFC career.

Aldo entered the Octagon that night with a legendary legacy already cemented. A former WEC champion and the first-ever UFC featherweight titleholder, Aldo had reigned over the division for nearly a decade. With a 26-2 record going into the fight, he was widely considered one of the greatest pound-for-pound fighters in MMA history. 

Despite a shocking 13-second knockout loss to Conor McGregor in 2015, Aldo had bounced back with a dominant win over Frankie Edgar to reclaim the interim title, and was later elevated to the full champ following McGregor’s move up in weight.

But standing across from him was a Hawaiian on a mission. Holloway had quietly built one of the most impressive win streaks in the UFC, amassing 10 consecutive victories over elite competition, including wins over Cub Swanson, Charles Oliveira, Jeremy Stephens, and Anthony Pettis. His blend of relentless pressure, cardio, crisp boxing, and an unbelievable chin made him tough to deal with.

On This Day: Max Holloway Brutally Finished Jose Aldo to Claim Featherweight Gold at UFC 212