Ilia Topuria vs Max Holloway Preview

By Tim Burke October 25, 2024 13:18

Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

UFC 308 is here folks. The biggest fight of the year in the UFC. Featherweight champion Ilia Topuria will take on former featherweight champion and current BMF champion Max Holloway.
From the moment Holloway called out the champion following his incredible KO win over Justin Gaethje at UFC 300, every MMA fan on the planet wanted to see this fight. It has also had an incredible build-up leading up to the fight.

“First 10 seconds, I will be waiting for you in the middle of the octagon.” Ilia Topuria told Holloway in their heated face-off on Thursday.

Holloway has fired back stating that Topuria was undeserving of his title shot.

“I think that moment needs to be earned and he’s just trying to steal stuff,” Holloway told reporters on Thursday. Holloway was unhappy that Topuria got a shot at the title before facing him.

Holloway is a long-time UFC fan favorite. He is a legend for what he has already accomplished in the sport. There is no fighter tougher than Max Holloway. That is why he is the BMF champion.
Topuria is the new champion, determined to build a legacy of his own. He is the favorite in this fight as the UFC’s youngest champion also happens to be one of the skilled fighters on the roster. And as the new guy on the block facing off against a beloved BMF champion, Topuria has played the role of a heel perfectly.

The question on everyone’s mind is who wins this fight. Ilia Topuria is a more skilled fighter. If he very well may outbox Max Holloway. He could easily out-grapple him. However, there is nobody tougher than Max Holloway. Holloway has absorbed 2,223 significant strikes, the most in UFC history. He has never been knocked out.

Holloway is experienced, with great cardio and a high-volume striker. He’s a nightmare to deal with. He can turn this into a war and take Ilia Topuria into deep waters, where he has never been.

X-Factors

Ilia Topuria’s power is for real. His knockout of Volk was incredible. He has vowed he will be the first person to knock out Max Holloway and he is capable of doing it.

Holloway’s most effective against Justin Gaethje was the spinning heel kick. He broke Gaethje’s nose at the end of round one at UFC 300 with a spinning heel kick.

Topuria has been dropped by a head kick in the past. If Holloway can land that spinning heel kick he can hurt Topuria and change the momentum of the fight. A high-volume striker like Volk got his shots in against Topuria but didn’t hurt him. Max will have his chance to do damage to Topuria and if he is able to he can turn this into a dog fight.

UFC 308 features a highly anticipated matchup between featherweight champion Ilia Topuria and former champion Max Holloway, highlighting the contrasting styles and legacies of both fighters. The outcome remains uncertain, as Topuria's skill and power face off against Holloway's toughness and experience, promising an exhilarating contest for MMA fans.