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.
“Andre Fili, he’s the only guy that I ever got caught with and I looked at the time like, ‘What the f***? What am I doing?’ I remember going to the cage and being like, ‘Holy s***! He hit me pretty hard.”
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.
Andre Fili in action at UFC 303
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.
Spain are now reigning champions of Europe and the World following a 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina in the 2026 World Cup final on Sunday night.
Ferran Torres left it late to help La Roja take advantage of their numerical advantage at MetLife Stadium as La Albiceleste were reduced to 10 men following Enzo Fernandez’s second booking at the end of normal time.
Torres was a late arrival into the box in the 103rd minute to thunder the ball beyond a hapless Emiliano Martinez and hand his nation their second-ever World Cup.
Having only conceded one goal all tournament, Luis De La Fuente’s side didn’t concede a single shot until the extra-time period, and their defensive record sets a new record in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
Former USMNT star Alexi Lalas has yet again caused controversy at this summer’s World Cup, this time with a comparison he made between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo during live coverage of Sunday’s final.
Appearing on FOX Sports throughout the tournament, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thierry Henry are no stranger to a Lalas hot take, and they were once more seen with eyebrows raised at the MetLife Stadium as Lionel Messi and his Argentina side took on Spain.
In the end, it was European champions Spain who stopped La Albiceleste’s world title defence, with Ferran Torres scoring in extra-time to put the final nail in the coffin of a 10-man team after Enzo Fernandez’s dismissal at the end of regular time.
Alexi Lalas’ Controversial Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo Comparison
FOX Sports
Lalas has insisted that one legend’s story cannot be told without the other, despite Messi’s international accolades far superior to his adversaries, thus bringing about debate over whether he has far moved beyond Ronaldo this summer. During FOX Sports’ broadcast, he explained:
“You can boo all you want out there. But there is no Messi without Ronaldo. Heroes need villains. Sometimes you need a foil, my friend. It’s important at times. And these players, they have been representative of the World Cup.
“When we do those montages of World Cups going forward in the future, those players are going to be involved. Because you see them, and immediately you think of the World Cup. Immediately, you think greatness, and that is what the World Cup does to an individual. It elevates you even if you’re already famous, even if you’ve already done wonderful things. The World Cup is a whole other level of power and attention.”
Lalas’ assessment isn’t without reason. The core sentiment is that the former USMNT player feels the two players served as essential competitive muses who were necessary for each other to try find another gear. As such, they seemingly pushed each other to unprecedented and historic heights through their iconic rivalry.
It has been over two decades since both of them started their professional soccer career. During their time playing for Barcelona and Real Madrid, Messi and Ronaldo shared the most years (2009-2018) as direct rivals, with only two players winning a Ballon d’Or besides them in that time.
Backlash Has Come Thick and Fast for the US Pundit
REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli
The fact Messi has reached three World Cup finals, won a title, and is the second-highest goalscorer in the competition history, means that most would agree his legacy in football’s most prized tournament is untouchable compared to Ronaldo’s. And that’s why Lalas has come under such heavy fire. One X user went as far as to call him an “embarrassment to US football.”
A second added: “When you see Ronaldo’s picture, the last thing you’ll ever do is think of a World Cup!” as a third wrote: “If their WC achievements were flipped, Messi would have been forgotten. Somehow they keep Ronaldo’s name in there.” Elsewhere, a fourth remarked: “Ronaldo’s greatest achievement is being compared to Messi.”
Former FIFA referee Darren Cann has cast a strong verdict on the decision that saw Enzo Fernandez given his marching orders for a second yellow card during the 2026 World Cup final on Sunday night.
Just moments after the Argentina star had been shown a first caution for a heavy tackle on his Spain opponent, the Chelsea midfielder then received a second for showing dissent.
It is unconfirmed that was the case for why the second booking was issued, but commentary seemed to believe so, despite the tackle itself being described by Wayne Rooney as ‘silly’ as well.
Former Referee Casts Verdict on Enzo Fernandez Dismissal in World Cup Final
Maria Lysaker /IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters
Cann, who himself has managed the high-pressure situation of officiating a World Cup final, said while live on duty for the BBC’s coverage:
“Correct, no argument guys, it’s a clear second yellow card for Enzo [Fernandez], and the red card is absolutely correct in my opinion. I do not expect the VAR to intervene.”
