.Oct 26, 2024, 12:32 PM ETUndefeated UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria makes the first protection of his headline versus former champ Maximum Holloway generally celebration of UFC 308 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.Topuria (15-0) gained the waistband in February with a second-round knockout blow of Alexander Volkanovski. Topuria is No. 3 in the ESPN pound-for-pound men's rankings.The 10th-ranked Holloway (26-7), that ruled from June 2017 up until December 2019, has actually gained three matches straight, most recently a KO of Justin Gaethje at 4:59 of the fifth round in their April battle at lightweight.Brett Okamoto, Andreas Hale, Jeff Wagenheim as well as Dre Waters break down all the activity coming from UFC 308. Just how to enjoy the fightsWatch the pay-per-view and also prelims on ESPN+: Receive ESPN+ here.There's likewise FightCenter, which provides online updates for every single UFC card.UFC 308 fight cardESPN+ PPV, 2 p.m. ETFeatherweight championship: Ilia Topuria (c) vs. Maximum HollowayMiddleweight: Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat ChimaevLight abundant: Magomed Ankalaev vs. Aleksandar RakicFeatherweight: Lerone Murphy vs. Dan IgeMiddleweight: Shara Magomedov vs. Armen PetrosyanESPN+, 10 a.m. ETLight abundant: Ibo Aslan vs. Rafael CerqueiraWelterweight: Geoff Neal vs. Rafael Dos AnjosLightweight: Mateusz Rebecki vs. Myktybek OrolbaiMiddleweight: Abus Magomedov def. Brunno FerreiraHeavyweight: Kennedy Nzechukwu def. Chris BarnettMen's bantamweight: Farid Basharat def. Victor HugoMiddleweight: Ismail Naurdiev def. Bruno SilvaWelterweight: Rinat Fakhretdinov def. Carlos Leal( c) = standing up for championA traveling MMA fighter's most difficult rival while abroad? SleepFor a lot of the globe, being actually completely practical at work without a great night of rest provides a notable challenge. Fortunately, the majority of don't need to worry about being punched in the skin. Nonetheless, for fighters operating without proper sleep, the scope for inaccuracy at their spot of work is actually tiny and also could be the variation in between a victory as well as awakening on the canvass. Few browse these less-than-optimal taking a trip circumstances as well as Max Holloway." I live in the center of the sea," Holloway mentioned in an interview along with the UFC's Megan Olivi as he readied to complete in the UAE for the 3rd time. "No matter what way I go, it's a very long way." There is actually no such thing as a home game for Holloway. He hasn't battled in Hawaii considering that his 4th specialist match in 2011. Ever since, the current BMF champ has competed while driving in the UFC for 29 professional matches around 8 time zones.Read the story.UFC 308 match rankings: Does any sort of competition leading Topuria vs. Holloway?The sales sound for the lightweight championship clash between Ilia Topuria and also Maximum Holloway can easily follow latest celebrations. It may begin and end in early 2024. One match apiece-- one of the most recent for every of them-- is actually all our experts require to learn about to become availabled on Sunday's matchup in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.For Topuria, that engaging fight took place in February, when he snagged away the district along with a ko that abruptly finished Alexander Volkanovski's four-year supremacy. When it comes to Holloway, his hard sell happened pair of months eventually, when he authored probably the greatest KO in mixed martial arts background by delivering Justin Gaethje face-first to the canvas along with only one 2nd staying in their 5th shot of violence.Read the story.UFC 308 1st appearance: Big inquiries on Topuria-Holloway, Chimaev's return, moreIlia Topuria took the instant at UFC 298 when he experienced among the lightweight GOATs, Alexander Volkanovski. Topuria dethroned Volkanovski in February and became the 145-pound champ. 8 months later, Topuria is going to currently take on perhaps the various other lightweight GOAT, as Max Holloway will certainly aim to restore his title.Andreas Hale, Brett Okamoto as well as Jeff Wagenheim use their very first ideas, study and also predictions on UFC 308. Read the story.Best energetic MMA knockout blow performers across weight classesMaybe our experts must put something added on the line when Holloway problems Topuria on Oct. 26. In addition to the UFC featherweight championship, just how regarding our company likewise break an association and also proclaim the victor as the best KO musician at 145 extra pounds?. That can be the case, naturally, just if the fella that leaves of the cage with the belt has actually secured the gain via ko. And it'll be actually a significant achievement if it happens, as Topuria is unbeaten and Holloway has actually never ever been knocked senseless in 33 professional fights.Read the tale.2024 mixed martial arts midyear honors: Unanimous champions, uncommon entries and legendary knockoutsThere will definitely certainly never be actually an opinion "best ko in UFC background," however Holloway's KO of Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 in April could be the best well-liked choice. Standing in the facility of the Octagon in the last seconds of a five-round fight he was accurately succeeding as well as resting Gaethje-- it was simply all Holloway. It defined Holloway as a competitor and an individual. The reality it took place up a body weight elegance in a BMF label match couldn't have actually been any more perfect.Read the story.