UFC 194 results: Max Holloway cruises past Jeremy Stephens

LAS VEGAS -- Jeremy Stephens is known for dropping bombs in his fights.

Max Holloway knew this, and he wasn't about to let Stephens unload.

So Holloway executed a game plan that involved taking advantage of his reach, fighting at range over the first two rounds, and never letting Stephens get untracked in their UFC 194 matchup Saturday night.

And while that didn't lead to the barnburner most at the MGM Grand Garden Arena expected, it was enough to get the win. Holloway (15-4) got his eighth straight victory.

Holloway set the tone in the opening round by landing kicks from range and darting in and out and landing punches. Stephens connected on low kicks, but could never get any sustained offense going.

It was more of the same for Holloway, who effortlessly fended off Stephens takedown attempts and wouldn't give Stephens anything in the clinch. Stephens went for it after they stood up in the final minute, but it was Holloway's fight.

In the third, Holloway pulled away, scoring a trip, working from the top, and getting a rear-naked choke from which Stephens escaped.

"It wasn't the prettiest fight, he hit me harder than I expected," said Holloway, whose last loss was to Conor McGregor in 2013. "I want McGregor-Holloway 2."

Stephens (24-12) has now dropped three of his past four.