Justin Gaethje breaks silence after being brutally knocked out by Max Holloway at UFC 300

Justin Gaethje has spoken out after he was brutally knocked out by Max Holloway at UFC 300.

Max Holloway won the BMF title at UFC 300 on Saturday evening after landing a stunning knockout blow in the closing stages of his showdown with Justin Gaethje.

The Hawaiian looked to be heading for a decision victory, but he made absolutely sure when he landed a massive overhand-right that caught Gaethje right on the chin.

Gaethje crumpled to the floor and remained there for a while while he was attended to by trainers and medical staff.

'The Human Highlight' was the favourite heading into the fight, but he was dominated for most of the five-round bout.

Despite a disappointing performance and a brutal ending, Gaethje took his defeat well and congratulated Holloway via social media.

"I’m in great spirits with my family. Thanks for all the love. What a sport. @BlessedMMA you’re a dog. Congrats. Well deserved double bonus #ufc300,” Gaethje wrote on X.

Holloway ended the evening with the BMF title, and went home with an extra $600,000 in Performance of the Night and Fight of the Night bonuses.

Gaethje, though brutally defeated, still earned at least $300,000 himself through the Fight of the Night bonus.

Victory means Holloway will have another shot at the featherweight title, and potentially the lightweight title as well.

Speaking to Joe Rogan inside the Octagon, Holloway eyed up fights against UFC champions Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev.

"'El Matador' [Ilia Topuria] he is running from the bull at 145," he said. "Tell him to sign the contract. Islam [Makhachev] is famous for defending against [featherweights] right? I’m him. I’m right here!

"Any weight, I’m gladiator. I don’t care, whoever’s next sign the dotted line."

Unfortunately for Gaethje, his hopes of fighting for the featherweight title any time soon were dealt a significant blow.