Fans React To Topuria Vs. Holloway – ‘Holloway Sleeps Topuria’
Dana White has confirmed that Ilia Topuria will defend his UFC Featherweight Title against Max Holloway at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi on October 26.
The main event features two champions. Topuria is the UFC Featherweight Champion after knocking out Alexander Volkanovski in the second round at UFC 298. It was Volk’s first stoppage defeat at the weight class, ending his four-year reign as champion. A rematch was discussed, but it never went ahead, as Holloway got the fight instead.
Topuria Vs. Holloway
Blessed is also coming off a big win. He stopped Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 in the most dramatic of circumstances. With only a second left to go in the fight, Holloway landed a huge right hand, which ended the bout. After his win, Holloway called out Topuria. Topuria stated he only wanted the fight if the BMF belt was on the line. Given an agreement has been reached, those obstacles must have been overcome.
“What’s up everybody! I’m back with another fight announcement live from the Etihad Arena, Fight Island, Abu Dhabi. It’s UFC 308! The main event is undefeated lightweight [sic] champ, Ilia Topuria looks to make his first title defense against the legend and BMF Max Holloway,” White said
In the co-main event, Robert Whittaker will square off against Khamzat Chimaev in a middleweight clash. The fight was scheduled for UFC Saudi. But it never went ahead after Chimaev withdrew with an illness. It was a missed opportunity to headline on the UFC’s first-ever Saudi card. Ikram Aliskerov stepped in, but Whittaker overpowered his opponent with a first-round stoppage.
Chimaev’s Return
Chimaev’s previous fight was last October when he defeated former UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman. The winner will put themselves in a strong position for a title shot. The current champion, Dricus Du Plessis, defends his middleweight title for the first time against Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 on August 17.
Elsewhere, Ciryl Gane will fight Alexander Volkov in a rematch. Their prior clash took place in 2019 when Gane won via a unanimous decision. Since then, Volkov has been on an impressive run of form. He has five wins out of his last six fights. The only defeat came at the hands of Tom Aspinall, who is in a position to fight for the heavyweight title between the winner of Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic.
Meanwhile, Magomed Ankalaev and Aleksandar Rakic will square off in a light-heavyweight clash. Rakic has not had a UFC win since 2021, as he injured his knee. He faced Jiri Prochazka at UFC 300 but ended up suffering a defeat. Ankalaev enters the bout with a win over Johnny Walker. The winner knows they are closer to facing UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira, who is the most in-form fighter in the sport.
Full Card
Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway – for featherweight title
Khamzat Chimaev vs. Robert Whittaker
Ciryl Gane vs. Alexander Volkov
Magomed Ankalaev vs. Aleksandar Rakic
Rinat Fakhretdinov vs. Nursulton Ruziboev
Dan Ige vs. Lerone Murphy
Kennedy Nzechukwu vs. Marcos Rogerio
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