UFC 308 preview: Tidbits, details, and storylines for Topuria vs. Holloway

Final Preventing Championship (UFC) travels to the Center East this weekend (Sat., Oct. 26, 2024) for its super-stacked twelfth pay-per-view (PPV) occasion of the season, UFC 308, from inside Etihad Enviornment in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

In UFC 308’s PPV major occasion, newly-minted Featherweight kingpin, Ilia Topuira, makes his highly-anticipated first title protection in opposition to Baddest Motherf—ker (BMF), Max Holloway. Within the co-main occasion, Khamzat Chimaev FINALLY returns (fingers crossed) in opposition to former Middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker.

UFC 308 is completely crafted with enjoyable fights from prime to backside, so earlier than all of it goes down from “Battle Island,” let’s checkout some random storylines, tidbits and statistics forward of showtime …

Picture by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

Greatest Battle For The Relaxation Of 2024

There have been some completely unbelievable fights in 2024, however the primary occasion of 308 between Topuria vs. Holloway is by far the most effective battle for the remainder of the 12 months, and there may be an argument for the most effective battle of 2024.

There’s a lot to this battle. The trash discuss has been fairly heated, nevertheless it’s the technical side that’s so intriguing—Topuria’s boxing vs. Holloway’s boxing, energy vs. quantity, the peak distinction, and the brand new guard vs. the previous guard.

Fighter Of The Yr?

Will probably be powerful for anybody to topple Alex Pereira as 2024’s “Fighter of the Yr,” but when Topuria goes out and finishes Holloway, he could have a declare. One, as a result of Holloway has solely been stopped as soon as in his legendary profession, and two, as a result of Topuria has already knocked out former Featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski.

The Huge 30

UFC 308 might be Holloway’s thirtieth battle contained in the octagon. The 32-year-old made his UFC debut method again at UFC 143 in 2012 in opposition to Dustin Poirier.

Essential Eventers

UFC 308 might be Topuria’s third UFC major occasion—his third consecutive (UFC 298, UFC Jacksonville). Will probably be Holloway’s eleventh time headlining a UFC card.

Title Battle Vet

Holloway has competed in 10 title fights.

Knock On Wooden

After quite a few sicknesses and setbacks, Chimaev returns to competitors this weekend, however everybody studying this should cease and knock on wooden as a result of there may be nonetheless time for “Borz” to tug out.
Chimaev has not fought since UFC 294, the place he defeated Kamaru Usman. Previous to that, he fought Kevin Holland at UFC 279.

All indicators level to Chimaev being wholesome as soon as once more and able to get again on monitor.

Rebooked!

Chimaev and Whittaker had been presupposed to conflict on the major occasion of UFC’s first-ever present in Saudi Arabia earlier this summer season; nevertheless, “Borz” pulled out per week earlier than the battle. Whittaker went on to knock out Ikram Aliskerov.

Now, they lastly throw down.

5 Spherical Co-Essential

One very last thing about Chimaev vs. Whittaker … they’re combating for 5 rounds. And it is smart as a result of there are loads of stakes hooked up to it, like a doable Middleweight title shot.

Thanks, Now Battle This Killer

Earlier this 12 months, Dan Ige obtained legendary standing and stepped in on 4 hours’ discover to battle Diego Lopes. Whereas he didn’t win the battle, he was ultra-competitive. UFC CEO Dana White mentioned he would do something for Ige due to his badassness.

Nicely, that lasted all of two weeks as a result of after Ige didn’t get a spot at UFC 306, one thing he requested for, he received booked in opposition to undefeated killer Lerone Murphy.

Wahoo!!!

Pirate Returns

High prospect Sharabutdin Magomedov, aka the Russian fighter with one eye, is kicking off the PPV major card. He’s 3-0 so far contained in the promotion however is combating his hardest take a look at tomorrow: kickboxing champion Armen Petrosyan.

Welcome To UFC!

Two fighters make their UFC debut this weekend.

• Raffael Cerqueira (11-0) fights Ibo Aslan. Cerqueira was presupposed to compete in season eight of Contender Sequence however was referred to as to battle at UFC 308 as an alternative. Cerqueira holds a 91% end price with eight knockouts.

Goodbye Light-weight

Former UFC legend and Light-weight champion Rafael Dos Anjos returns tomorrow, and he’s lastly completed slicing to 155 kilos. He’ll keep at Welterweight for the remainder of his profession, which he says is 4 extra fights (the remainder of his last contract).

RDA has had so-so outcomes at Welterweight and can battle knockout artist Geoff Neal.

Oh, and he’s combating on his birthday.

‘Huggy Bear’ Returns

After 25 months away from the cage due to accidents and different life issues, fan-favorite Heavyweight, Chris Barnett, returns to the cage. He was final in motion at UFC 279 in opposition to Jake Collier.

Barnett welcomes former 205-pound standout, Kennedy Nzechukwu, to the Heavyweight division.

Weigh-In Fiasco

The third battle on the “Prelims” between Faird Basharat and Victor Hugo was presupposed to be contested at Bantamweight. Nevertheless, Hugo got here in 10 lbs chubby, which might often cancel a battle. Minutes earlier than the early morning weigh-in, Hugo let Basharat’s group know he was heavy, and the battle was modified to a Featherweight bout.

Yikes.

Picture by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

UFC 308 Battle Chief

The fighter with probably the most profession fights competing at UFC 308 is dos Anjos (48).

UFC 308 Battle Rookie

The fighter with the least quantity of profession fights competing at UFC 308 is Cerqueira (11).

UFC 308 Knockout King

The fighter with probably the most quantity of profession knockouts competing at UFC 308 is Abus Magomedov (14).

UFC 308 Submission Savant

The fighter with probably the most quantity of profession submissions competing at UFC 308 is RDA (11).

Winners And Losers

Eighteen fighters are coming off wins, whereas seven are coming off losses.

Multi-Divisions

Listed below are the divisions that might be on show this Saturday:

• One Heavyweight battle
• Two Gentle Heavyweight fights
• 4 Middleweight fights
• Two Welterweight fights
• One Light-weight
• Two Featherweight fights
• One Bantamweight battle

Beta Canine

In keeping with Fan Duel, UFC 308’s “greatest” underdog is Barnett at +500.

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