.Oct 26, 2024, 12:32 PM ETUndefeated UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria creates the initial self defense of his title versus former champ Max Holloway in the main celebration of UFC 308 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.Topuria (15-0) succeeded the waistband in February with a second-round ko of Alexander Volkanovski. Topuria is actually No. 3 in the ESPN pound-for-pound guys's rankings.The 10th-ranked Holloway (26-7), that reigned from June 2017 till December 2019, has actually succeeded 3 battles straight, most just recently a KO of Justin Gaethje at 4:59 of the fifth round in their April match at lightweight.Brett Okamoto, Andreas Hale, Jeff Wagenheim and also Dre Seas malfunction all the action coming from UFC 308. Exactly how to view the fightsWatch the pay-per-view and also prelims on ESPN+: Obtain ESPN+ here.There's likewise FightCenter, which uses real-time updates for each UFC card.UFC 308 battle cardESPN+ PPV, 2 p.m. ETFeatherweight championship: Ilia Topuria (c) vs. Maximum HollowayMiddleweight: Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat ChimaevLight heavyweight: Magomed Ankalaev vs. Aleksandar RakicFeatherweight: Lerone Murphy vs. Dan IgeMiddleweight: Shara Magomedov vs. Armen PetrosyanESPN+, 10 a.m. ETLight heavyweight: 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. Winner HugoMiddleweight: Ismail Naurdiev def. Bruno SilvaWelterweight: Rinat Fakhretdinov def. Carlos Leal( c) = defending championA traveling MMA fighter's most difficult enemy while abroad? SleepFor considerably of the planet, being actually fully practical at the workplace without a great evening of remainder presents a substantial obstacle. The good news is, the majority of do not need to think about being actually typed the skin. Nonetheless, for fighters working without proper sleeping, the frame for inaccuracy at their location of employment is tiny and could be the distinction in between a triumph and also waking up on the canvas. Couple of get through these less-than-optimal taking a trip situations as well as Max Holloway." I reside in the middle oceanic," Holloway stated in an interview with the UFC's Megan Olivi as he prepped to compete in the UAE for the third opportunity. "Regardless of what way I go, it's a long way." There's no such trait as a home ready Holloway. He hasn't battled in Hawaii because his fourth expert fight in 2011. Since then, the current BMF champ has actually competed when driving in the UFC for 29 qualified matches around eight opportunity zones.Read the story.UFC 308 match rankings: Carries out any kind of competition best Topuria vs. Holloway?The purchases sound for the light champion clash in between Ilia Topuria as well as Max Holloway may adhere to current celebrations. It may begin as well as finish in very early 2024. One match apiece-- the absolute most current for each of all of them-- is actually all we require to understand about to become availabled on Sunday's competition in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.For Topuria, that engaging battle happened in February, when he snatched away the belt with a knockout that abruptly ended Alexander Volkanovski's four-year reign. When it comes to Holloway, his hard sell happened pair of months eventually, when he authored perhaps the greatest KO in mixed martial arts past history by sending out Justin Gaethje face-first to the canvass along with simply one 2nd continuing to be in their 5th round of violence.Read the story.UFC 308 1st appearance: Big questions on Topuria-Holloway, Chimaev's gain, moreIlia Topuria confiscated the second at UFC 298 when he experienced one of the lightweight GOATs, Alexander Volkanovski. Topuria dethroned Volkanovski in February as well as ended up being the 145-pound champ. 8 months eventually, Topuria is going to now handle perhaps the other featherweight GOAT, as Max Holloway will try to regain his title.Andreas Hale, Brett Okamoto as well as Jeff Wagenheim deliver their 1st thoughts, study and prophecies on UFC 308. Check out the story.Best energetic mixed martial arts ko performers all over weight classesMaybe our experts must place something added vulnerable when Holloway obstacles Topuria on Oct. 26. In addition to the UFC featherweight championship, exactly how concerning our company also crack a tie and also proclaim the winner as the top KO artist at 145 extra pounds?. That could be the instance, naturally, just if the individual who walks out of the crate along with the belt has actually gotten the succeed by means of knockout. And it'll be actually a notable accomplishment if it happens, as Topuria is actually undefeated and Holloway has certainly never been actually knocked senseless in thirty three professional fights.Read the tale.2024 mixed martial arts midyear awards: Consentaneous champions, rare submittings and also legendary knockoutsThere will never ever be a consensus "best knockout blow in UFC background," however Holloway's KO of Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 in April might be the best preferred pick. Standing in the center of the Octagon in the last few seconds of a five-round battle he was plainly winning as well as resting Gaethje-- it was only all Holloway. It described Holloway as a boxer and also a person. The fact it happened up a weight class in a BMF title fight couldn't have actually been any more perfect.Read the story.