UFC 308 promised fireworks with a stacked fight card headlined by featherweight king Ilia Topuria defending his throne against former champ Max Holloway. The event more than lived up to the hype, delivering jaw-dropping knockouts, slick submissions, and an early contender for Fight of the Year.
Topuria Cements His Reign
In the main event, Ilia Topuria punctuated his first title defense with a brutal third-round knockout of Max Holloway. The Georgian phenom proved his boxing was on par with the self-proclaimed best boxer in the UFC, matching Holloway’s volume early before unleashing fight-ending power when it mattered most.
Topuria had boldly promised to be the first to knock out the notoriously durable Holloway. In round three, he made good on his word, cracking the Hawaiian with a crisp left hand that had him staggered. Showing veteran poise, Topuria picked his shots and detonated a fight-ending left that sent Holloway crashing to the canvas.
“I told you I would knock him out. I am the best striker in the UFC!”
Ilia Topuria in his post-fight interview
The emphatic finish cemented Topuria’s status as the man to beat at 145 pounds and set the stage for a new era in the talent-rich featherweight division.
Chimaev Smothers Whittaker
In the co-main event, Khamzat Chimaev announced his arrival as a middleweight force with a one-sided mauling of former champ Robert Whittaker. “Borz” landed a blistering takedown early and proceeded to suffocate Whittaker with relentless grappling.
Whittaker, an elite defensive wrestler, had no answers for Chimaev’s overwhelming pressure. Late in the opening round, Chimaev transitioned to a neck crank that forced a quick tap from the Australian, putting the middleweight elite on notice.
“I am coming for the belt. No one can stop me.”
Khamzat Chimaev’s warning to the middleweight division
Rebecki and Orolbai Paint a Masterpiece
While the headliners shone bright, the night’s most unforgettable battle unfolded between Mateusz Rebecki and Myktybek Orolbai. For three bloody rounds, the lightweights traded heavy leather, leaving the octagon canvas crimson.
Rebecki’s vicious output busted up Orolbai’s eye in the opening frame, but the Kyrgyzstani warrior rallied in round two, painting Rebecki’s face red with precise punches. Both battered, the fighters emptied their tanks in a wild final round, pushing through exhaustion to cap a Fight of the Year contender.
“What a war! These guys held nothing back. Unbelievable heart from both men.”
UFC commentator Joe Rogan’s reaction to Rebecki vs. Orolbai
Rebecki’s hand was raised after the 15-minute classic, but both fighters saw their stock skyrocket after an incredible display of skill and grit.
Other Notable Performances
- Shara Magomedov scored a stunning knockout, uncorking a spinning backfist and then rotating the opposite way to land another backfist that separated Armen Petrosyan from consciousness.
- Light heavyweight prospect Ibo Aslan needed just 51 seconds to demolish Rafael Cerqueira, landing 28 significant strikes in under a minute to extend his unbeaten streak.
- Lerone Murphy kept his perfect record intact with a hard-fought decision over Dan Ige, surviving an early scare to outpoint the Hawaiian veteran.
From top to bottom, UFC 308 delivered highlight-reel moments and scintillating scraps. With new stars emerging and old guards fading, the event marked a shift in the MMA landscape and raised the bar for fight night excitement.
