Matty’s On the Five: Hawaiian-Samoan claims big UFC bonus, Blues women claim 1st title and Moana Pasifika see red

Two huge moments defined this weekend of sports for me: Hawaiian-Samoan UFC star Max Holloway winning in emphatic fashion and the Blues women winning their first Super Rugby Aupiki championship.

1. Max Holloway wins $600,000 bonus at UFC 300

The “Blessed Express stays chugging” as Max “Blessed” Holloway would say, who won big at last night's UFC 300 event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The Hawaiian-Samoan fighter knocked out the "BMF" (Baddest Mother F***er) title holder and number three ranked lightweight Justin Gaethje, with one second left in round five.

Holloway moved up to lightweight for this fight to face Gaethje, who is one of the division’s fiercest opponents. Gaethje had just come off a huge knockout win against Dustin Poirier to put him in title contention. Taking this fight wasn’t needed, but for both fighters it had the potential to mean a lot for their legacy.

It was Holloway’s third attempt at moving up a weight-class, having lost twice before against Dustin Poirier. This time, Holloway looked slick and quick, firing off well timed jabs to the body and face. At the end of the first round, Holloway threw a spinning back kick, breaking Gaethje’s nose.

The fight’s momentum leaned heavily towards Holloway, who was picking Gaethje apart, looking too fast and more comfortable at lightweight than we’ve seen. In the final seconds of the fight, instead of playing it safe, Holloway pointed to the ground to go toe-to-toe with Gaethje, leading to the pair throwing haymakers and quick punches. And following this flurry of action, Holloway landed a right hand knocking Gaethje out cold with one second remaining.

Due to the dramatic nature of the bout, Holloway and Gaethje received a "fight of the night" bonus of $300,000 each, while Holloway received a further $300,000 for the "performance of the night".

2. Blues women inaugural Super Rugby Aupiki championship

A lot was on the line for the Blues women and Chiefs Manawa in the final of the Super Rugby Aupiki competition over the weekend. For the Manawa, they were determined to win their second title, after losing in last year's final against the South Island-based Matatu side. The Blues on the other hand were determined to clinch their first-ever championship, after topping the table this season.

A powerful haka from Manawa seemed to inspire the side, who crossed over in the first five minutes, as fullback Renee Holmes regathered a clinical chip from Ruby Tui to go over in the right corner.

Later in the first half, Tui would be penalised for hurdling over a Blues player, setting up the Blues in good field position. Katelyn Vaha'akolo would then pick up her first try of the night in the right corner, ensuring the scores were 8 - 5 in favour of the Manawa.

The Chiefs Manawa came out firing in the second half, scoring two tries to put them in front by 13 with 20 minutes to go. The rain then started pouring down on Eden Park, which went in favour of the Blues who crossed over for a try near the posts.

Katelyn Vaha'akolo would secure another try, burning the outside of Renee Holmes and scoring in the corner to put the Blues within one point. With five to go, Patricia Maliepo booted the ball down to the Chiefs, and produced a big hit resulting in a knock on.

The Blues would regain possession close to the Manawa line, and with a few strong carries, number eight Liana Mikaele-Tu’u crossed over to win the game for the Blues women. How good!

3. Warriors clinch a draw against the Manly Sea Eagles

It was a scrappy game in the wet weather at Auckland's Go Media Stadium, with the Warriors and Manly Sea Eagles finishing overtime in a 22-to-22-point draw.

Manly looked slick in the first half, running in 16 points, after putting the Warriors on the backfoot in the first 30 with their powerful forwards. But it was Jazz Tevaga who was rewarded for his slick line running, scoring under the post from a front door play to get the Warriors on the scoreboard. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak would quickly follow up with an intercept try in the 39th minute to close the half 16-10.

In the opening exchanges of the second half, Ben Trbojevic scored on the right edge exploiting the Warriors left edge defence which has been suspect over the past weeks. While the Warriors were on the comeback, Shaun Johnson turned back the clock, tucking the ball in and bolting through the line. Johnson would leave Tom Trbojevic in the dust with his signature right foot step, scoring a brilliant try.

But as the game carried on it looked certain for a Manly win, until Watene-Zelezniak scored a silky try in the corner - putting the Warriors within two points.

With just seconds to go before the final whistle, Johnson went for a two-point field goal but was hit in the air from Josh Aloiai resulting in a penalty. The ensuing two-pointer, kicked by Johnson, sent the game into overtime. But over two golden-point periods neither side could break the deadlock - leading to a rare drawn game and one competition point for each side.

4. Moana Pasifika clutch a win against the Reds

Two costly red cards proved a deciding factor for the Queensland Reds, as Moana Pasifika secured a three-point win against the visiting Australians in Whangarei 17 - 14.

It was a tight game in the first half with both sides not scoring right until the 33rd minute when all-time leading try scorer Julian Savea crossed over for his 62nd Super Rugby try to put Moana in front.

Opening the second half, the Reds were quick to storm down the field and score in the opening minutes through Peni Ravai. A second try came shortly after from the Reds, after former Māngere College pupil Hunter Paisami's kick was re-gathered for a highlight-worthy try.

But a red card to co-captain Tate McDermott for a swinging arm to Moana flanker Irie Papuni turned an initial yellow card into a full send-off and also led to a try being disallowed. Moana would spill another shot at scoring, and the Reds marched down the field again, with Jordan Petaia scoring in the corner.

Trailing by four points, Moana Pasifika were determined to get the ball back, but after a head clash to William Havili, the Reds were given another red card. Moana were on the trot again, and in the 79th minute Danny Tuala gave an offload to William Havili to score and win the game.

5. Tama Tonga joins the Bloodline

Just as we thought the Bloodline storyline wouldn’t get any better, WWE pulls out another trick welcoming in a new era for the faction with the introduction of Tama Tonga.

The Bloodline returned to the ring without Roman Reigns, for the first time since losing at Wrestlemania 40. Paul Heyman addressed the crowd, acknowledging Cody Rhodes as the new champion.

His promo would be interrupted by Solo Sikoa, who grabbed the microphone and said “there’s consequences to losing” and stared at Jimmy Uso, who lost his match against brother Jey at WM40.

Solo would slowly walk to Jimmy, hugging him and telling him he loves him. Then, a hooded man stormed the ring, beating Jimmy in the back of the head. Lo and behold it was Tama Tonga, son of the Tongan legend “King Haku”, who had come to the WWE!

Tama Tonga joined Solo Sikoa in beating Jimmy Uso, and joined Solo to give the Bloodline salute, officially joining the group.

This now sets up a possible reunion of the “Usos” of Jimmy and Jey, to go against the new-look Bloodline, and we also await the return for the Tribal Chief Roman Reigns.

Matty’s Golden Point

Matty’s Golden Point is a point of advice shared every week on his segment "Overtime with Matty" on the Pacific Grandstand Show on 531pi.

“Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen and others make it happen.”

- Michael Jordan