Nick Peet | UFC 308: Topuria vs Holloway

THE unbeaten Ilia Topuria collides with the unbreakable Max Holloway this Saturday as UFC 308 delivers the most wanted fight in mixed martial arts.

After captivating consecutive events in Saudi Arabia, fight fans’ attention switch across the Middle East to Abu Dhabi and the UFC’s annual pilgrimage to Yas Island.

Newly-minted featherweight champion Topuria makes the maiden defence of his 145lb belt against former champ Holloway in a fight that will define an era.

Will the champion close the chapter on the last generation or will the challenger reclaim his crown and cement his Hall of Fame status?

EL MATADOR

Topuria, 27, became the youngest current UFC champion following his dramatic second round knockout of Alexander Volkanovski back in February.

That victory extended his record to 15 straight wins, 13 inside the distance, and a fourth consecutive Octagon performance bonus.

All Ilia Topuria career KO's 🔥 THREAD 🧵01. Ends Alexander Volkanovski's featherweight reign 💥pic.twitter.com/JAqHetssdH

— MMA On Point (@mmaonpoint) October 21, 2024

Born in Germany to Georgian parents yet raised in Spain, Topuria is based out of Madrid and coached by his older brother Aleksandre.

After finding his way into fight sports as a child in Greco Roman wrestling, he’s refined his skill set with some of the best boxing in the sport.

Topuria has got fast hands and carries genuine one punch KO power.

BLESSED

Still only 32, Holloway has been in the UFC for 12 years, after debuting as the youngest fighter on the roster.

Despite having seven losses on his 33-fight record, he’s actually only lost to four opponents having faced a perennial who’s who of the featherweight division.

His title reign lasted three years and included wins over three former champions. Plus, he’s also the owner of many records, including; most wins, knockouts and finishes in 145lb history and the most significant strikes landed by any athlete ever in the UFC.

Max Holloway says his favorite clip from #UFC300 isn't his knockout of Justin Gaethje, but it's Ilia Topuria's reaction to his knockout 😭😭"[My favorite clip is] of Ilia Topuria looking lost, like he doesn't know where he was. He didn't even know if he was in human dimension."… pic.twitter.com/OEiSvcMhyp

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) October 16, 2024

The Pride of Hawaii returns to championship action on the back of a three-fight tear, topped spectacularly in April at UFC 300 when he knocked out Justin Gaethje to claim the BMF belt.

Holloway has never been knocked out and uses his chin as a weapon to wave opponents into the pocket and exchange blows. His cardio is also relentless, growing stronger as fights progress.

AND STILL…

MMA math suggests Topuria has the edge, after all he took the belt from Volkanovski who beat Max on three occasions to start his own championship reign.

But the Aussie entered the fight on the back of a KO loss at lightweight four months earlier, whereas Max arrived in the UAE on the back of one of his biggest wins and most iconic moments in history.

Holloway peaked that night. If he performs like that again this weekend even a champion as talented as Topuria will find him impossible to discourage.

But styles make fights and Ilia is a little too smart to engage in an all-out battle with a warmonger.

More likely is a slick and controlled coming of age performance from the new king at 145lb.

 

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