TORONTO — Max Holloway scored a knockout over Anthony Pettis 4:50 into the third round for the interim featherweight championship in the co-main event at UFC 206 on Saturday night.
It was the first time a UFC belt was on the line for just one fighter. It became an interim featherweight title bout for Holloway — a Waianae, Oahu native — when Pettis failed to make weight on Friday, coming in 3 pounds over the 145-pound limit. Pettis was fined 20 percent of his purse as a result.
During his post-fight interview in the octagon, Pettis said he broke his right hand with his first punch in the first round.
Earlier, Cub Swanson won a unanimous decision over Dooho Choi (30-27, 29-28, 30-27) in an entertaining featherweight bout.
Emil Meek got the main card started by defeating Lethbridge, Alberta, native Jordan Mein by unanimous decision (29-28) in his UFC debut.
Toronto’s Misha Cirkunov forced Nikita Krylov to tap out at 4:38 of the first round with a guillotine choke. Cirkunov improved to 4-0 in UFC and moved into the top 10 at the light heavyweight level.
“I definitely belong in the top 10,” Cirkunov said. “I’m on an eight-fight win streak since I dropped my coach. I’d like to fight Mauricio Shogun Rua. If I fight a big name like that, more than just Toronto will see my potential. The whole world will see my potential.”