At American Kombat Alliance 48 on August 2, amateur welterweights Byron Walker and Glen Norman mirrored the now-infamous final center-octagon exchange made legendary by Max Holloway at UFC 300. But Walker’s attempt at recreating the moment fell flat and fans were merciless in their response.
Holloway’s Moment of Glory
At UFC 300, Max Holloway circled Justin Gaethje into the center of the octagon in the final seconds, boldly challenging him to stand and fight. When Gaethje accepted, Holloway delivered a crushing knockout punch that sent the crowd into a frenzy. The viral moment became a symbol of fighting bravado, earning Holloway instant cult-status among MMA fans globally.
Walker’s Attempt Falls Flat
In the amateur matchup, Norman mimicked Gaethje, signaling for a strike in the cage’s center. Walker obliged but after landing a straight right that knocked Norman into unconsciousness, he faltered. The moment felt staged rather than spontaneous; there was no tense buildup, no drama, only a cold, clinical knockout. It lacked the electricity of Holloway’s thunderous finish.
MMA fighter just pointed to the ground like Max Holloway and got slept 😭 pic.twitter.com/JbHwxFiGEs
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) August 3, 2025
Fans Tear into the Imitation
Social media erupted with memes and savage commentary as fans roasted Walker’s version. Many called it “embarrassing,” “forced,” and a hollow echo of the original. Comments ranged from “Nice punch, no soul,” to “That’s not homage that’s karaoke of someone else’s hit song.” The consensus: some moments are too raw to clone successfully.
— S (@ShittyTwittter) August 3, 2025
What Holloway Himself Said
Holloway’s message is clear: if you try to copy the moment, you must fully commit. Fighters like Dustin Poirier have walked out of such exchanges, admitting they couldn’t handle the intensity. After his UFC 318 win over ‘The Diamond,’ Holloway confirmed he’s targeting a Topuria rematch in lightweight, promising even bigger stages and title shots ahead.
While Walker’s poor homage bombed in the poll of MMA purists, one thing is certain: Holloway’s center-cage knockout moments will continue to inspire and intimidate fighters for years. But fans know not every imitation lives up to the real thing.
Karan Singh Rathod is a dedicated sports journalist known for his sharp attention to detail and flair for storytelling. With over a year of experience in writing and editorial work, he blends thorough research with compelling narratives to deliver engaging sports content. A passionate follower of football and cricket, he starts his mornings with a newspaper to stay updated with sports, fashion, and current affairs. Outside of journalism, Karan enjoys traveling and discovering new destinations.
