UFC legend Max Holloway named a surprising fighter as the hardest-hitting opponent he’s faced in his career.

The 34-year-old has established himself as one of the biggest stars in the history of the sport since signing with the promotion over 10 years ago.

Throughout his career in MMA, ‘Blessed’ has never shied away from a challenge. After fighting Dustin Poirier in his promotional debut, things would only get harder for Holloway.

Max Holloway’s UFC Career Explored

Soon after, he fought former two-division champion Conor McGregor during his rise to the top of the pile. Max lost their initial meeting in 2013, but levelled the score with the Irishman with victory in their rematch at UFC 329.

A former featherweight and BMF champion, Holloway has traded blows with the likes of Charles Oliveira, Justin Gaethje, Anthony Pettis and Jose Aldo.

Despite facing some of the biggest stars of all time, Holloway revealed that none of the aforementioned names hit the hardest.

Max Holloway Was Stunned By One Opponent’s Punching Power

‘Blessed’ insists that featherweight contender Andre Fili was the hardest hitting opponent he has ever fought. Over the years, Max has absorbed some serious punishment, but he freely admitted that he was massively surprised by the adversity he was forced to deal with against ‘Touchy.’

The pair met back in 2014. Fili was fighting in the promotion for just the second time following his debut win against Jeremy Larsen, while Holloway was stepping in the UFC Octagon for the eighth time.

Despite enduring some tough shots, Holloway would go on to win via third-round submission. More than decade on, the Hawaiian didn’t hesitate to name Fili as his hardest-hitting opponent following his clash with Arnold Allen.

“Andre Fili,” Holloway quickly replied when a reporter asked him to name the hardest puncher he shared the cage with.

While Holloway has gone on to achieve many breathtaking moments in the sport, Fili has not had anywhere close to the same success.

With 40 professional fights to his name, ‘Touchy’ has lost 14 times. 10 of his 25 wins in the sport have come via knockout and also has 12 victories via decision.

Despite impressing Max when they fought, he doesn’t have a truly standout win on his record, although he can boast wins over respected veterans Cub Swanson, Myles Jury and Dennis Bermudez. He has now been on the UFC roster for 13 years.

It’s worth noting that at the time he gave his answer, Max had yet to face Ilia Topuria, who he was knocked out by at UFC 308. However, he has never gone on record to state the adopted Spaniard was a harder puncher than Fili.

Lamine Yamal is preparing for the biggest game of his career when Spain face Argentina in tonight’s FIFA World Cup final.

The Spanish superstar has already tasted major success on the international stage after helping La Roja win the European Championship in 2024. At just 19 years and six days, he’s set to become the third-youngest World Cup finalist in history should he make Luis de la Fuente’s starting lineup.

Yamal will come up against one of his footballing idols, Lionel Messi, at the showpiece at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Unfortunately, he won’t have his father in attendance to watch him battle the reigning world champions.

Yamal’s Father Will Miss World Cup Final

Yamal’s father, Mounir Nasraoui, has watched his son ascend to football superstardom, including the Euro 2024 final in Berlin. He appeared on the pitch during Spain’s post-match celebrations after beating England 2-1.

Nasraoui hasn’t been able to attend any games at this summer’s World Cup due to his health. He did not feel fit to travel and will therefore be watching his son play tonight’s final from home.

He explained (via Mirror): “I’m an epileptic. I have to take a lot of medication every day, and I can have an epilepsy seizure. I could be here, right now, under the effects of stress or emotion, and have a seizure without realising it. So you always have to think things through carefully.”

Nasraoui is putting his health first: “Before travelling, you have to think about me, about him, and about all the people around us, you know? I might end up causing problems. So it’s better to stay home and watch all this from here.”

The father of the 2025 Ballon d’Or runner-up was stabbed in a parking lot just a month after Spain and Yamal’s Euro 2024 triumph. Four people were arrested in connection with the incident, and this has been something his son had to live with while continuing his career at the age of just 16.

Lee Smith via Action Images via Reuters

Yamal has had family following him in the USA, Mexico and Canada, including his mother Sheila Ebana and three-year-old brother Keyne. He’s been somewhat of a mascot for La Roja, producing memorable celebrations in the stands amid La Roja’s surge to the final.

His paternal grandmother, Fatima, left Morocco by bus and worked shifts so that her son, Mounir, could join her before having Yamal as a teenager. The Barca winger’s parents split when he was three years old, but he remained focused on his football and has become a household name.

“That’s Pressure” – Yamal on his Father

Hannah McKay via Reuters

Yamal’s father has played an instrumental role in the teenager’s career, including during his childhood. He downplayed the ‘pressure’ that comes with representing Spain because of what Nasraoui dealt with when raising him (via The Guardian):

“My dad had to go out and make a living, scavenging on the streets to bring food home. That’s pressure. All I have to do is play and keep the Spanish fans happy.”

The Catalan star has taken inspiration from his father when it comes to caring for his younger brother Kenye: “My little brother means everything to me. I’m in love with him; it feels like he’s my son.”

One of the most viral moments of this year’s World Cup came after Spain beat Belgium 2-1 to reach the semi-finals. His brother celebrated by sticking his tongue out to the camera and the winger revealed this was all pre-planned:

“I was at physio and he called me, using my mum’s phone, and told me that he was going to stick his tongue out tomorrow. So that’s why when I saw him on the screen, it really made me laugh.”

Yamal is on the cusp of becoming a world champion and will be eager to celebrate with his brother in East Rutherford. He has just one goal to his name thus far but tonight is the opportune time to show why he is regarded as the heir to Messi by defeating the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and La Albiceleste.

Thomas Tuchel has been slammed by World Cup legend Davor Suker for his comments ahead of England’s third-place play off against France.

The Three Lions’ bid to become world champions for the first time since 1966 came to an end this week as they were beaten by Argentina in the semi-finals.

Despite that crushing defeat, England were back in action on Saturday evening to contest their third-place play off match against France at Miami Stadium.

Bukayo Saka (3), Jude Bellingham, Ezri Konsa and Declan Rice were all on the scoresheet as England won a thrilling match 6-4.

Thomas Tuchel Downplays Third Place Play Off

Dylan Martinez via Reuters

Tuchel made his feelings very clear about the third place play off ahead of Saturday’s match. He said:

Ibrahima Konate echoed Tuchel’s comments, stating that ‘not one’ of France’s players wanted to play the match.

He said: “Not one of us want to play this game for third place, but we don’t have the choice. It was not the objective. How do we mobilise and motivate ourselves? Well, I believe that as French players for this team, many players would have loved to compete and play this game.

“I’m not saying it is easy. Far from it. I’ve read in the press that Tuchel said that no one wants to play this game. Well, it’s true that given the aim and objective we had.

“We wanted to play the final, but we are still representing France and it is the dream of many people to wear the shirt, the jersey, and sing the Marseillaise. Therefore, we need to respect the jersey we’re wearing.”

Davor Suker Slams Thomas Tuchel

Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley

Tuchel’s comments have gone down badly with World Cup legend, Davor Suker. Suker was part of the Croatia side that finished third at the 1998 World Cup. He won the Golden Boot that tournament after hitting the back of the net six times.

The 58-year-old said: “I think the rich don’t want to play when they lose. Some have so many trophies and are so rich that this match means nothing to them.

He added: “This match can be very important. After 1998 and the game against the Netherlands, we fought for third place, and today I can speak about it with pride.

“Whoever wins third place, I assure you that in 20 years, when they are older, they will certainly remember that bronze medal. That’s why, in this whole story, coach Tuchel isn’t important. He’s talking nonsense.”