Exclusive: Ilia Topuria believes one Max Holloway record is still intact despite UFC 300 controversy 

Ilia Topuria believes one unique Max Holloway record is still intact despite the controversy and fan debate it sparked following 'Blessed's' last-second KO win over Justin Gaethje at UFC 300.

Despite being part of many slug fests in his UFC career, Holloway has never been knocked down. However, this unique achievement almost came undone during the Gaethje fight.

In the fourth round of their BMF title matchup at the milestone pay-per-view, 'The Highlight' dropped Holloway with a crushing right hook to the head from up close. However, it was eventually ruled as a slip, keeping the former featherweight champion's bragging rights to having never been knocked down still intact.

Watch the controversial moment below:

It looks like 'El Matador' also agrees with the UFC's official ruling. In an exclusive interview with Sportskeeda MMA, the Georgian-born Spaniard opined:

"No, he [Gaethje] didn't [knock Holloway down]. I don't think so."

Despite the official ruling, fight fans and even Holloway himself believe Gaethje should've been granted the knockdown, a sentiment 'Blessed' even voiced during the #155th MMA Show of The Joe Rogan Experience podcast. He said:

"All I remember was getting hit by that punch and then like I sat and then I came back up. I was like what the f**k did he just hit me with. Holy sh*t, that was a good punch... I don't know how that didn't count as a drop."

Catch Max Holloway's comments below:

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Ilia Topuria's challenge for Max Holloway

Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway seem to be on a collision course. In a recent interview with Ariel Helwani, 'El Matador' stated that he wanted to take on the newly crowned BMF champion for his first featherweight title defense. However, the 27-year-old has a unique challenge for 'Blessed'.

During Holloway's BMF title fight against Justin Gaethje, the 32-year-old invited 'The Highlight' to trade with him in the center of the cage in the closing seconds of the fight. Gaethje obliged and 'Blessed' knocked him out with one second left on the clock.

Topuria wants Holloway to do the same when they fight but with a unique twist. Speaking to Helwani, 'El Matador' said:

"[Holloway], be ready and bring that energy that you had in the last 10 seconds and bring it in the first 10 seconds and do the same thing you did, but with me. Try that and trust me, I'm going to put your lights out. I'll be the first one."

Catch Ilia Topuria's comments below (27:39):