The highly anticipated UFC 308 pay-per-view event is nearly upon us, headlined by a mouthwatering featherweight title showdown between undefeated champion Ilia Topuria and former king Max Holloway. On October 26, the world’s premier MMA promotion returns to Abu Dhabi for a stacked fight card that promises non-stop action from the first prelim to the main event.
Topuria Aims to Cement His Legacy
At just 26 years old, Ilia Topuria has already carved out a stunning path of destruction in the UFC. The Georgian phenom captured the featherweight title in February by dethroning then-champ Alexander Volkanovski via second-round knockout. Now, in his first title defense, Topuria faces perhaps the greatest challenge of his young career in Max Holloway.
Despite his relative inexperience compared to Holloway, Topuria exudes a calm confidence heading into UFC 308. In a recent interview with ESPN, the champ boldly proclaimed:
“I respect Max and everything he’s accomplished, but his time is over. It’s my era now. I’m going to finish him and prove that I’m the best featherweight in the world.”
– Ilia Topuria
Holloway’s Shot at Redemption
For Max Holloway, UFC 308 represents a golden opportunity to reclaim the throne he once held for three years. The Hawaiian fan-favorite is riding a three-fight winning streak, including a “Fight of the Year” contender against Yair Rodriguez and a stunning knockout of Justin Gaethje up at lightweight.
Although he respects the skills of the young champion, Holloway remains laser-focused on taking back what was once his. At the UFC 308 pre-fight press conference, “Blessed” exuded a quiet intensity:
“I’ve been in there with the best of the best. Ilia’s good, but he hasn’t seen anything like me. I’m taking that belt home to Hawaii, and I’ll be ready for whatever he brings.”
– Max Holloway
Expert Predictions for Topuria vs. Holloway
The MMA world is split on who will emerge victorious in this epic clash of styles. ESPN’s panel of combat sports analysts weighed in with their predictions:
- Brett Okamoto: Topuria via 4th-round TKO
- Marc Raimondi: Holloway via unanimous decision
- Jeff Wagenheim: Topuria via 3rd-round submission
The oddsmakers have this fight as a virtual pick’em, with Topuria a slight -140 favorite over Holloway at +120. No matter who wins, fans can expect a unforgettable war between two of the sport’s pound-for-pound best.
UFC 308 Main Card Preview
In addition to the blockbuster main event, UFC 308 features a host of compelling matchups, including:
- Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev (middleweight)
- Lerone Murphy vs. Dan Ige (featherweight)
- Magomed Ankalaev vs. Aleksandar Rakic (light heavyweight)
- Shara Magomedov vs. Armen Petrosyan (middleweight)
How to Watch UFC 308
UFC 308 will be available for purchase on ESPN+ pay-per-view. The early prelims kick off at 6:00pm ET/3:00pm PT on ESPN+, followed by the televised prelims at 8:00pm ET/5:00pm PT on ESPN2 and ESPN+.
The main PPV card begins at 10:00pm ET/7:00pm PT, exclusively on ESPN+ PPV. New subscribers can sign up for an ESPN+ annual plan with UFC 308 included for $124.98.
MMA fans won’t want to miss this incredible fight card as two elite featherweights battle for 145-pound supremacy. Will Ilia Topuria’s unbeaten streak continue, or can Max Holloway turn back the clock and recapture UFC gold? Tune in on October 26 to find out.
