Fans react with memes as MMA fighter Max Holzer celebrates by 'kissing' and 'humping' his opponent — then gets punched out of the cage

During the OKTAGON 69 main fight, undefeated featherweight fighter Max Holzer took his post-fight celebration to another level. After submitting Deniz Ilbay via rear-naked choke in the fourth round, Holzer kissed the back of Ilbay's head and then performed a pelvic thrust. In retaliation, Ilbay immediately leapt to his feet, and chased Holzer around the octagon.

An enraged Ilbay then rained punches at Holzer and, amidst the confusion, both men shattered through the cage door even as fans couldn't hold back their laughter.

Notably, Holzer's pelvic thrust celebration was identical to Israel Adesanya's notorious celebration on Paulo Costa during UFC 253.

Social media had a lot of fun with the moment with online jokes and memes. Some wondered why Ilbay didn't show the same vigor during the fight, while others simply couldn't stop laughing at the entire ordeal.

While that happened, some asked what struck Max Holzer to do such an action. Instead of delivering another hit, he reportedly experienced a dash of "love" and chose to kiss his vanquished opponent.

Users interpreted this as Max's bid to tease his opponent — perhaps the kiss and the gesture hurt Ilbay more than any of punch could have ever have done. Whatever the motivation, the audience clearly had a blast.

---

Social media reacts after MMA fighter Max Holzer places a kiss on Deniz Ilbay's head

While a user joked that Max Holzer let his intrusive thoughts win, another couldn't get past the funny moment when he won the fight, kissed his opponent, performed the controversial gesture, and then ran for his life!

X user @samsamsambps said:

"when your intrusive thoughts win lol."

X user @randomguy_26 asked:

"Why didn’t he fight with that anger before tapping?"

Another user, @MrPlotTwister, noted:

"😭Wild, to win the fight and then run from the dude you just beat."

Some were so amused that they were nearly rolling on the floor. Others cracked jokes that Max Holzer was running as if he owed Ilbay money!

X user @HTXPhantom12 commented:

"Lmfaooooooooooooo."

A user @blackgordongeck stated:

"Thought sh*t was sweet cuz he tapped 😭😭"

A user @omegalul95 quipped:

"Kid chased after him like He owed him money or sumn 😂"

Netizens even turned the moment into funny GIFs. Some captured the "Damn!" moment, and others captured the shock and how much of a surprise the entire event was.

A user dropped a GIF that probably said What just happened?

Another user commented with a Moira Rose GIF:

This user clearly had a good laugh:

This one looks like a perfect response on behalf of all those who were caught off guard:

Meanwhile, a user, probably in disbelief, said:

"Nah the disrespect is insane 😭"

The video, for sure, guaranteed chuckles, with some users drawing comparisons with the infamous Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor brawl at UFC 229.

Also read: Japan-exclusive 'Nintendo Switch 2' is $100 cheaper than the U.S. version—fans joke they’re moving to Japan