UFC 199 results: Max Holloway routs Ricardo Lamas, wins wild unanimous decision

Top-ranked Featherweight contenders Max Holloway (No. 4) and Ricardo Lamas (No. 5) locked horns tonight (Sat., June 4, 2016) at UFC 199, which took place inside The Forum in Inglewood, Calif., hoping to inch one step closer to a future 145-pound title shot.

Holloway had won eight consecutive matches coming into this evening, his most recent loss a hard-fought decision against Conor McGregor -- who is now the division champion -- back in Aug. 2013. After tonight's dominating performance, the Hawaiian has push it to nine straight.

Lamas made it pretty clear early that he didn't want to get too close to Holloway, a very effective and dangerous striker who can end a fight in a flash. Holloway was able to close the distance and land a nice right hook, then a straight left that definitely got the attention of Lamas. Holloway started to cut off the cage and swarm him along the fence with accurate shots as Lamas struggled to defend. Looking to escape the onslaught, Lamas dove for a takedown, which Holloway was able to defend and threaten with a submission before they returned to their feet. Lamas dove in for another single-leg takedown, but could not complete it, as Holloway refused to go to the floor. On the break, Holloway landed a gorgeous spinning back wheel kick that stunned Lamas just as the first round came to a close.

Lamas continued to try and play keep away to start the second frame, but Holloway was determined to cut him off and punish him along cage. Lamas was successful with his low kicks, but it wasn't doing much to deter Holloway's aggression. Mid-way through the round Holloway began to tag Lamas with a series of strikes, and as the crowd roared. Lamas fired back with two clean shots that forced Holloway to slow his roll. After a brief scramble on the mat, the pair continued to trade leather, with Holloway getting the better of the exchanges. Lamas went for another takedown, which Holloway used to sink in a choke. Lamas was able to escape, but Holloway took his back and drilled him with shots from behind until the horn blared to end the round.

Third and final round, and it was pretty clear that Lamas needed to score a finish if he wanted to take home the win. And it appeared as though Holloway was very aware because he took his foot off the gas pedal in the early part of the round, giving Lamas some confidence to get to work. He even tried to bait Holloway into slugging it out, leading to a wild exchange in the final 10 seconds that saw both fighters throw -- and land -- several furious haymakers until the final bell.

It was a great fight, but Lamas was overmatched on the feet, leading to a unanimous decision loss that included not winning a single round. Holloway, on the other hand, looked better than ever and could be primed for a rematch with McGregor and/or a fight with the future interim champion.

For complete results from UFC 199: "Rockhold vs. Bisping 2," including play-by-play updates, click here and here.