The main event of UFC 308 is shaping up to be one of the biggest fights of the year with fight fans counting down the days until October 26. Undefeated featherweight champion Ilia Topuria will be defending his belt for the first time against the former titleholder, Max Holloway.
This fight has all the makings of a must watch when you look back at the recent performances that we have seen from both men. One set of eyes that are sure to be paying close attention belong to the former 145-pound king, Alexander Volkanovski.
Volkanovski could have campaigned for an immediate rematch with Topuria after losing the title to “El Matador” in February but instead, he chose to take some time to recover. After what Holloway did at UFC 300, it was clear that he’d be next for Topuria if he wanted to move back down to featherweight which is what materialized.
In the mean time, Volkanovski has had no problem with sitting out and watching everything play out in front of him before he gets his deserved rematch to try and reclaim the title. A potential fight with Diego Lopes has been spoken about but the Aussie’s main focus is on taking back the belt.
“The Great” is planning to be in attendance at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi where he hopes to build towards a fight in Sydney, Australia at UFC 312 next February. He recently told Submission Radio that he intends to get inside the Octagon and face off with the winner of the main event before UFC 308 comes to an end.
“Of course, that’s the best way to build up your next fight, especially when you’re pretty much guaranteed. There’s only very little things that could get in the way. I doubt that that happens so get me in there, let’s amp it up and call the date here in February as well.”
UFC Featherweight Champion Ilia Topuria wants to emphatically establish superiority over Max Holloway next weekend in Abu Dhabi.
The importance of following up a title win with a successful defense is often a major part of the lead-up to a new champ’s first attempt at batting away a challenger.
For some, that pressure might show. In that regard, Topuria is not ‘some’.
But based on the predictions he made during an appearance on Monday’s episode of The Ariel Helwani Show on Uncrowned, Topuria could have a tougher time living up to his remarks come fight night at Etihad Arena.
The Georgian-Spaniard has long expressed his belief that “Blessed” won’t escape Abu Dhabi without the first knockout loss of his career being added to his record.
Now, Topuria is even shooting for Jorge Masvidal’s fastest-KO record, which came when he slept Ben Askren with a knee just five seconds into their showdown at UFC 239 in 2019.
“There is no chance for Max. Forget about it. The only thing I’m praying for every day is I want him to show up, because I’m going to do the rest,” Topuria said. “We already know who is the world champion. We’re going to find out that I am the BMF also.
“I will be there in the middle of the Octagon in the first 10 seconds. … I want to have the fastest knockout in UFC history also, with my hands,” Topuria continued. “Jorge has it with the knee, I want to do it with the hands. … If he stays in the middle in the first 10 seconds of the fight, we’re going to see the fastest knockout in UFC history.”
Though not set to be officially on the line, talk of Holloway’s symbolic BMF title has been prominent in the build-up to next weekend’s PPV headliner.
Ilia Topuria recently doubled down on his intention to challenge Max Holloway in a striking battle from the opening bell of their highly anticipated clash at UFC 308. “El Matador” is poised to defend his UFC featherweight title for the first time against Holloway on October 26 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Last week, Topuria and Holloway engaged in a fiery interview with ESPN, during which the reigning 145-pound champion donned a replica of the BMF title on his shoulder. He boldly dared “Blessed” to bring the same ferocity he displayed in landing the buzzer-beater knockout of Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 in the first 10 seconds of their upcoming showdown.
During a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, “El Matador” underscored his desire to entice the reigning BMF titleholder to a fierce exchange of punches right in the center of the Octagon within the first 10 seconds of their bout at UFC 308. The undefeated Spaniard confidently asserted that he would deliver the most electrifying initial moments of any fight in UFC history.
“He calls himself the BMF, but we already know who’s the world champion. In the first 10 seconds of the fight, we’re going to find out who’s the real BMF because I already challenged him. In the first 10 seconds, I’m gonna point to the ground, and we’ll see what he’s going to do.
I will be in the middle of the Octagon, so let’s bang, bro. If you’re ready, I was born ready… First 10 seconds, I’m gonna point to the middle of the Octagon, and I will stay there. I wanna give the best and most exciting 10 seconds in UFC history to the fans.”
Topuria went on to voice some doubt about whether “Blessed” would accept his challenge to trade blows right off the bat but remained unwavering in his belief in his knockout power. He confidently stated that if Holloway chooses to stand and bang with him, it’s only a matter of time before he puts him to sleep.
“If he stays in the middle, I’m gonna knock him out, I’m gonna take his head off. I have prepared myself for that too… I don’t know, we’ll see. He’s calling himself the BMF, that’s one of the things we’ll find out—if he’s the BMF or if he’s the p*ssy like everyone who is predicting that I’m going to lose to Max Holloway.”
When it comes to fighters that have been put through the ringer at the very highest level, it’s hard to find someone that is more experienced than Robert Whittaker. The former middleweight champion has been facing the very best at 185-pounds for the best part of seven years at this stage in his career.
With 22 Octagon appearances under his belt, there’s not much that you can throw at “The Reaper” which he won’t have encountered in the past. That being said, his next challenge is somewhat of an enigma.
The undefeated Khamzat Chimaev has gone from being talked about as a guaranteed future UFC champion to someone that might struggle against the top names in his division. His progress has been significantly halted by two major concerns, his reoccurring health issues and an inability to fight in the United States.
Despite the fact that he has beaten the likes of Gilbert Burns and Kamaru Usman, one of those wins came when he was fighting at welterweight and his contest with Usman was a close fight that saw the former 170-pound champion step in at middleweight on short notice.
We will truly find out how good Chimaev is when he faces Whittaker who has already proven his level against the majority of the top contenders to come through the division in the last seven years.
In an interview with TalkSPORT MMA ahead of their co-main event clash at UFC 308, Whittaker was asked whether Chimaev is his toughest fight to date after all of the top opposition that he has squared off with.
“No, like I’ve fought the best of the best. I think it’s the most pressing test because it’s unwritten and I think there’s a lot of gravity to this fight because it’s the unknown like as of right now but like, I’ve won a lot of hard fights and I’ve lost a lot of hard fights, I’ve been tested.”
Though Whittaker doesn’t believe that Chimaev is his most difficult opponent, he does think that this fight will require him to be at his best because he doesn’t fully know what to expect from his opponent.
“Right now, it’s obviously Chimaev right because it’s unknown, it’s ground that hasn’t been trodden yet. I respect the task at hand and I’m just looking forward to it.”
UFC Featherweight Champion Ilia Topuria believes predictions for his upcoming title defense have helped him identify plenty of “snakes in the grass.”
Eight months on from his memorable crowning in Anaheim at the expense of Alexander Volkanovski, Topuria will put his newly won gold on the line against another legend of the division.
The bout is among the most highly anticipated of the year thus far, and the recent success of both men have left a variety of predictions flying around the MMA community.
Topuria, however, has frequently insisted that “Blessed” will be light work for him come fight night. And with that in mind, he’s bemused by the number of UFC peers picking against him for the Oct. 26 event.
And during an appearance on Tuesday’s episode of The Ariel Helwani Show on Uncrowned, Topuria took a moment to address those doubting the continuation of his reign.
While he didn’t name names, the Georgian-Spanish champ suggested a number of those predicting a return to the throne for Holloway have previously interacted with him in-person.
Having seen their picks, though, Topuria has no plans to repeat that post-UFC 308…
“I’ve watched the predictions of all the UFC fighters. They are predicting that he is going to beat me,” Topuria said. “All the bums, f*ck you everyone. After I knock him out, don’t even tell me, ‘Hello,’ if you see me around. F*ck yourself everyone.
“Many, many fighters (are picking against me). I don’t even want to tell you the names because I don’t want to give importance about them. F*ck them all,” Topuria continued. “I’m taking notes. They are all like snakes in the grass. They see you around and then they are acting like fans. But when they have to do something, ‘No, Max is going to beat him.’ Maybe they feel a little bit of envy.”
Pressure will certainly be on him to deliver. But should “El Matador” do so, his journey toward top spot in 145-pound history would certainly be off to a strong start, and perhaps a desired lightweight move to challenge Islam Makhachev could await.
Max Holloway has already achieved some incredible things in his career by the age of 32. The former UFC featherweight champion and current BMF titleholder is certainly no stranger to being in the spotlight and that’s not going anywhere just yet.
He believes that a win at UFC 308 would rank pretty highly amongst his list of accomplishments, even if it doesn’t take the top spot.
Max Holloway Says Beating Ilia Topuria Would Likely Rank Third On His Personal List
In a recent interview with Stake,Holloway gave his thoughts on where being the first man to defeat Topuria, reclaiming the featherweight belt in the process, would fall in terms of his own viewpoint.
He believes that two moments will probably still rank higher even with this being one of the biggest fights of the year. “Blessed” said that it will take something special to upset his two favourite moments from his career because of the impact and personal significance that surrounds them.
“This victory would be in the top three of my career, for sure. Winning that first title will always be special. Beating Jose Aldo, the King of Rio and an idol of mine, nothing will ever beat that I don’t think. Secondly, the 300 moment has to be up there for me. All of the build-up and the lead up to it, there were so many things going on it felt bigger than the BMF title.
“Unless I can do something crazy to top that UFC 300 moment, then it might be second. It will 100% be a top three moment in my career, not just because it is for the title but also because of who it is against. This new generation guy, with a variety of different skills, he’s so powerful and athletic – but beating him would make this a top three moment of my career for sure.”
The main event of UFC 308 on October 26 can’t come soon enough as one of the biggest fights of the year goes down in Abu Dhabi. One of the most exciting elements of the fight is that both the champion and challenger are known as two of the best boxers in the UFC.
Ilia Topuria has got dynamite in his hands with the speed to back it up and as for Max Holloway, he’s a record breaker when it comes to significant strikes for a reason.
Both men do their best work with their hands but one former UFC champion, who is also known for packing a mean punch, believes that Holloway’s reliance on this could cost him in the featherweight title fight headliner.
Cody Garbrandt Says Ilia Topuria Is The More Diverse Striker And Mixed Martial Artist
In a recent appearance on the Jaxxon Podcast, Cody Garbrandt gave his thoughts on the fight that everyone is going to be talking about over the next few weeks.
Garbrandt believes that though both men are excellent boxers, Topuria is the more varied striker and overall mixed martial artist. “No Love” pointed to Holloway’s trilogy of fights against Alexander Volkanovski where despite “Blessed” having success, his boxing wasn’t enough to seal a victory.
“I don’t think Max, and I love Max to death, I don’t think he mixes it enough for mixed martial arts. He’s boxing heavy, doesn’t throw too many kicks. You look at the Volkanovski fights, he didn’t really mix it together, the MMA together. I thought those fights were super close, he won some of them, they gave them to Volk but with Ilia, he wrestles, he grapples, he does it all, he kicks. But I’m excited to see it like Max is so long, so rangy. Super tough, got a granite chin.”
The build-up to the UFC’s annual October pay-per-view event in Abu Dhabi has picked up with a face-to-face interview between its two headliners.
The promotion will be back in the Middle East for the third time this year, and back inside the Etihad Arena just over two months on from UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov being staged at the venue.
This time, the Abu Dhabi crowd will be treated to championship stakes and one of the most highly anticipated fights of 2024 thus far, as featherweight kingpin Ilia Topuria puts his gold on the line opposite legend Max Holloway.
Topuria, Holloway Verbally Spar Pre-UFC 308
In the months leading up to UFC 308, the pair set to collide in the main event have gone back and forth on social media and during their respective interviews.
And that trend continued weeks out from the Oct. 26 event, as “El Matador” and “Blessed” joined UFC commentator Brendan Fitzgerald for a virtual face-to-face interaction.
Fitzgerald wasn’t required too often, with Topuria and Holloway frequently abandoning questions to trade barbs at one another.
On the champ’s side, the Georgian-Spaniard dismissed Holloway’s boxing credentials and gave a critical review of his UFC 300 win over Justin Gaethje, branding the fight “boring” and the last-second knockout absent of technique.
Holloway’s rebuttals remained consistent throughout: we’ll see what happens on Oct. 26.
Ilia Topuria’s ambitions to compete in a potential ‘champ vs. champ’ showdown have intensified in recent weeks, but a popular MMA analyst doesn’t think now is the time for such a matchup.
Topuria’s excitement was palpable during a recent live stream on Instagram, where he enthusiastically answered a fan’s question about his ability to defeat Makhachev. The 27-year-old Spaniard confidently asserted that he could easily overcome Makhachev, stating that it would be the fight he would pursue after handling Holloway.
Ilia Topuria says he hopes to fight Islam Makhachev after Max Holloway 👀
“Of course [I think I can beat Islam]… Makhachev real soon. Hope Makhachev will be next after this fight.”
“Younger guys like Ilia Topuria going, ‘Oh yeah, I’m going to fight so and so up here,’” Thomson said. “I’m like, dude, you haven’t defended your title one time. You beat the guy coming off of a head-kick knockout. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. How about you defend it against Max, the fight I’m really excited for?”
Thompson further emphasized that Topuria should concentrate on solidifying his standing in the featherweight division before calling out others. He also mentioned that “El Matador” might be seeking these high-profile matchups primarily for social media popularity.
“Ilia Topuria needs to clear out the division. He’s fought a lot of guys in there, but there are still many opponents for him to face. He shouldn’t even be mentioning that; the UFC shouldn’t be entertaining that. This whole thing, I think, is about social media—swipe right, swipe left, up, down, real fast. I need self-gratification right now; that’s what they’re looking for: ‘what can I do to make the most money?’”
Topuria captured the 145-pound title with a stunning second-round knockout of former champion Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 in February. He remains undefeated in his seven Octagon appearances, with five of those victories coming by way of stoppage.
While the aftermath of the October 5 card is currently the talk of the town, it won’t be long until focus sways to the next PPV, and from the light heavyweight title picture to the 145-pound championship conversation.
At UFC 308, set for the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on October 26, reigning featherweight kingpin Ilia Topuria will compete for the second time this year, this time in defense of gold. Following a knockout of Alexander Volkanovski to capture the crown, “El Matador” will next face the challenge of BMF titleholder Max Holloway.
Stakes will also be high in the co-headliner, as former middleweight champ Robert Whittaker looks to continue his fine winning form in 2024. “The Reaper” is set for a second attempt at sharing the cage with Khamzat Chimaev following their canceled headliner in Saudi Arabia this past June.
Ankalaev, Murphy, Magomedov Set The Stage For Title Headliners At UFC 308
Before Topuria defends his belt and Whittaker looks to secure a shot at regaining champ status in the Middle East, a number of other high-profile names will take to the Octagon looking to make the most of their position on the major card.
That includes surging featherweight Lerone Murphy. Despite an impressive main event win over Edson Barboza earlier this year, “The Miracle” will be defending his #12 spot in the rankings against Dan Ige, who is returning for the first time since his same-day assignment opposite Diego Lopes this past June.
Prior to that, Pereira’s next challenger at light heavyweight could be decided as #2-ranked contender Magomed Ankalaev shares the cage with the highly regarded Aleksandar Rakić
Those pairings have gotten the nod to feature on the main card over the welterweight clash between ex-lightweight titleholder Rafael dos Anjos and Geoff Neal, which is currently slated to top the preliminary portion of the event.
See below for the full UFC 308 card, as it stands.
Main Card:
Featherweight Championship Main Event: Ilia Topuria (C) vs. Max Holloway
Middleweight Co-Main Event: Robert Whittaker vs. Max Holloway
Featherweight: Lerone Murphy vs. Dan Ige
Light Heavyweight: Magomed Ankalaev vs. Aleksandar Rakić
Middleweight: Sharabutdin Magomedov vs. Armen Petrosyan
Preliminary Card:
Welterweight: Geoff Neal vs. Rafael dos Anjos
Lightweight: Mateusz Rębecki vs. Myktybek Orolbai
Bantamweight: Said Nurmagomedov vs. Daniel Santos
Middleweight: Abus Magomedov vs. Brunno Ferreira
Heavyweight: Kennedy Nzechukwu vs. Justin Tafa
Bantamweight: Farid Basharat vs. Victor Hugo
Welterweight: Rinat Fakhretdinov vs. Nursulton Ruziboev
Middleweight: Bruno Silva vs. Ismail Naurdiev
Light Heavyweight: Ibo Aslan vs. Raffael Cerqueira
“The Notorious” has been absent from active competition since suffering a leg break in his trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021. Despite sporadically teasing a return, McGregor had even lined up a fight against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in June. However, the bout was scrapped at the last minute, with the Irishman withdrawing due to injury.
In numerous interviews and social media posts, McGregor has repeatedly claimed he’s determined to make his UFC comeback. However, his words often don’t align with his actions, as he’s frequently seen engaging in activities outside of MMA or promoting his liquor brand.
This inconsistency is exactly why Topuria believes that “The Notorious” has lost his fire for the sport.
Topuria On Dropping Super Fight Ambitions: ‘He’s Not The McGregor That Moved Masses’
During a recent appearance on Spanish streamer Ibai Llanos’ YouTube channel, “El Matador” revealed that his eagerness to face McGregor has faded. The 27-year-old Spaniard remarked that the UFC icon’s career is on a downward trajectory, emphasizing that McGregor’s absence from the Octagon has diminished the allure that once enthralled the masses.
“I wouldn’t like to fight McGregor,” Topuria said. “I mean, McGregor would be an option if I could fight him, but right now, even if they [the UFC] offered me a fight with him, I would say no because there are bigger fights than him. He is not the same; he’s not the McGregor that once moved the masses.”
“He’s now a McGregor who represents alcohol and drugs more than the sport. I was inspired by Conor. I admired him when I was younger. He lost it because he betrayed the values that had brought him to the top. We have lost an idol.”
“El Matador” is gearing up to put his featherweight title on the line against Max Holloway in the main event of UFC 308, scheduled for October 26 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Topuria captured the 145-pound championship with a spectacular knockout of former titleholder Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 this past February.
Diego Lopes recently shared his ambitious plans for the future, stating his intention to challenge a former UFC featherweight champion upon his potential return in December.
The victory not only skyrocketed the 29-year-old to the #3 spot in the 145-pound division but also significantly boosted his stock. Lopes has been on an absolute tear over the past year, racking up five consecutive wins and cementing his status as a force to be reckoned with.
Lopes is now primed for high-stakes matchups, eager to secure his first title shot at the earliest opportunity…
Lopes Offers To Serve As UFC 308 Backup Or Sets Sights On Volkanovski For December
The surging contender also mentioned that if those plans fall through, he’s eager to face former longtime champion Alexander Volkanovski in December to move a step closer to the title.
“If that doesn’t happen, we’d like the possibility of fighting Volkanovski in December,” Lopes said. “He doesn’t like to wait, and neither do I, so that could be a good fight. A lot can happen, but I think the two most viable options for us right now are being the backup fighter in Abu Dhabi or fighting Volkanovski in December. The UFC is aware that I’m available for [UFC 308], so it depends on what they want to do.”
Lopes went on to express that a potential clash with “The Great” would present a highly intriguing stylistic matchup.
“The Volk fight would be very interesting because he’s shown he can adapt well to everybody’s style, especially when his opponent is taller until he fought Topuria. But I think I can also adapt well to guys who are shorter than me, so it would be a very interesting fight.”
Volkanovski is currently on a hiatus, having not fought since suffering the first back-to-back losses of his career. “The Great” was dethroned at UFC 298 this past February, where he endured a second-round knockout by Ilia Topuria, bringing an end to the title reign he had held since December 2019.
Read More: Chael Sonnen Outlines What He Wants To See Next For Alexander Volkanovski: ‘Unless You Want To Be A Gatekeeper…’
Jonathan Pearce Believes That Max Holloway’s Experience May Be Crucial
There weren’t any signs in Topuria’s title-winning performance that he was suffering from a lack of experience, even if he can get heated on fight week.
UFC featherweight Jonathan Pearce believes that Holloway’s decision-making could be a defining factor in this fight because he knows when to engage with Topuria and when to stay on the outside.
“Blessed” has been known to throw caution to the wind from time to time but as we saw at UFC 300, he’s at home in the chaos.
When asked whether he thinks these two men will be able to replicate something similar to this iconic moment from earlier this year, Pearce gave this response.
“I think so but I don’t think Topuria’s ready for that. I think he can hang with it for a while but I think he doesn’t have the experience that Max has if that happens. I think that Max knows better than to step in sometimes. He won’t let his ego get in control where you got a younger fighter that just needs to believe in himself.”
Pearce is set to face Pat Sabatini on October 12 at the UFC Apex.
While still loaded with prominent names and big stakes, next month’s UFC 308 pay-per-view has lost one of its main card matchups.
After staging a UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi early last month, mixed martial arts’ leading promotion will soon be back in the Middle East for its annual October numbered event at the Etihad Arena.
Among a slew of other ranked collisions was set to be a heavyweight rematch between former interim champion Ciryl Gane and charging Russian Alexander Volkov. That, however, doesn’t appear to be the case anymore.
Per French outlet La Sueur, the bout has been postponed due to an injury on the side of “Drago.” The pair are now expected to run back their 2021 bout at UFC 310 in Las Vegas on December 7.
🚨 BREAKING NEWS 🚨
Selon nos sources, la revanche entre 🇫🇷 Ciryl Gane et 🇷🇺 Alexander Volkov est reportée à l'#UFC310, le 7 décembre à Las Vegas, en raison d'une blessure du Russe. pic.twitter.com/x1AmjL9kDa
Max Holloway recently garnered widespread fan admiration after making a heartfelt plea to end gun violence, offering a unique suggestion to tackle the serious issue.
Whether it’s partnering with the UFC to establish a fitness clubhouse for the youth in Waianae or passionately advocating for support and raising funds during the devastating 2023 wildfires on the island of Maui, “Blessed” has consistently shown a deep emotional connection and commitment to the native Hawaiian community.
MMA Fans Applaud Holloway’s Resolute Position Against Gun Violence In Hawaii
During an interview with KHON2 News on Tuesday, Holloway addressed the recent series of shooting incidents in Waianae. The BMF titleholder strongly condemned the growing gun violence across the United States, urging people to resolve their conflicts in a boxing gym instead of resorting to firearms.
“It sucks, man. Put the gun down, boys. Put ‘em down. If you guys have a problem, do it the old-school way,” Holloway said. “Go to the boxing gym, put on some gloves, punch each other, shake hands, and be on with it.”
“Blessed” went on to suggest that instead of turning to gun violence, people should channel their frustrations into something harmless, like playing video games.
The MMA community responded to Holloway’s remarks with a wave of support, widely praising the UFC superstar for his unconventional and thoughtful suggestions.
One fan embraced Holloway’s notion, stating that guns never solve any problems and only create more chaos.
“Holloway is on point. You never settle a dispute with a gun. It’s not worth ending a life and ruining your own.”
Holloway is on point.
You never settle a dispute with a gun. It’s not worth ending a life and ruining your own.
Another fan jokingly remarked that Holloway is the only fighter capable of simultaneously holding both the “Baddest Motherf**ker” and the “Nicest Motherf**ker” titles.
“Max the only fighter that can hold the BMF and NMF belt simultaneously.”
Khamzat Chimaev recently revealed that he’s made major adjustments to his training regimen to aid in his recovery from past illnesses, ensuring he’s in top form for his highly anticipated comeback next month.
“Borz” is preparing to square off against former champion Robert Whittaker in a high-stakes, five-round co-main event at UFC 308 on October 26 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
The two fighters were originally slated to meet in the main event of a UFC Fight Night in Saudi Arabia this past June. However, just two weeks before the showdown, Chimaev was forced to pull out due to an unspecified illness. Ikram Aliskerov stepped in on short notice to save the headliner, only to get knocked out by “The Reaper” in under two minutes.
Once regarded as one of the most dangerous and active fighters on the UFC roster, Chimaev’s momentum has drastically slowed, with only two Octagon appearances since his hard-fought unanimous decision victory over Gilbert Burns at UFC 273 in April 2023.
Much of the 30-year-old Russian’s UFC career has been hampered by illness and recovery from injuries. However, with the looming challenge of Whittaker and the prospect of a potential middleweight title eliminator, Chimaev appears more determined than ever. He’s leaving no stone unturned, making significant changes to his training approach.
Chimaev Enlists His First Wrestling Coach For UFC 308 Comeback
During a recent appearance on the HUSTLE VLOG on Russian YouTuber Adam Zubayraev’s channel, Chimaev revealed that in light of his past health issues, he has brought back his first wrestling coach, Salim Noutsalkhanov, to guide his UFC 308 fight camp.
“The point is they now let me rest and recover properly. I used to go to the gym and just train till I was done,” Chimaev said. “Yes [I would train just to get exhausted] but then I ended up in the hospital like the last time when I was in the hospital three times in a row in the space of three weeks. My immune system went down, I got sick, and now I use a better approach.”
Chimaev further expressed strong confidence in Noutsalkhanov’s coaching abilities, emphasizing his experience in training legendary freestyle wrestlers such as Buvaisar Saitiev.
“I work with good coaches; Salim raised a lot of world champions; he also trained Buvaisar Saitiev for the Beijing Olympics with people like that. I am going to take a big step forward.”
Chimaev last stepped into the Octagon at UFC 294 in October 2023, where he took on former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman in a short-notice matchup. During the bout, “Borz” sustained a torn ligament in his hand.
Sean O’Malley recently asserted that after Ilia Topuria’s upcoming clash with Max Holloway, the only clear course for “El Matador” is a showdown with him.
Topuria is gearing up to defend his featherweight crown for the first time in a highly anticipated clash against Holloway, headlining UFC 308 on October 26 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
“Suga” has been zeroing in on Topuria ever since retaining his bantamweight title against former foe Marlon Vera at UFC 299 this past March. Following his victory, O’Malley wasted no time in calling out the Georgian-Spanish fighter, even trading jabs with him on social media and igniting talk of a potential champ vs. champ super fight.
However, before O’Malley can lock horns with Topuria, he must first overcome another Georgian obstacle — Merab Dvalishvili.
The 29-year-old Montana native is set to put his title on the line against “The Machine’ in the headlining bout of Noche UFC 306, taking place this Saturday inside the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“The more I think about the Ilia fight, I’m like, you know what, Ilia needs me,” O’Malley said. “Who’s he going to fight next? [If] he goes out there and beats Max [Holloway at UFC 308], who is he going to fight next? I have guys lined up. I have big fights. Ilia needs me more than I need Ilia.”
However, “Suga” voiced some hesitation, suggesting that he doubts Topuria will even make it past “Blessed” at UFC 308.
“To be honest, I don’t think he’s gonna get past Max anyway, so I’m kind of switching gears from that. We got guys like Umar that I think are going to be massive fights,” O’Malley added.”
Although Topuria, who knocked out Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 to capture the 145-pound title, has never openly entertained the idea of facing O’Malley, he didn’t entirely dismiss it.
After O’Malley called him out following UFC 299, “El Matador” left the door open for a potential showdown, fueling further speculation about a future clash.
Suga, congrats.. Was a beautiful performance! There is a fight chasing you with Merab.. Get that done first .
Though Ortega is excited to watch that one play out, he doesn’t have a prediction for who takes the victory in Abu Dhabi.
Brian Ortega Says He Doesn’t Take Either Topuria Or Holloway For Granted After Being Proven Wrong
The way that Ortega sees it, giving a prediction for the main event of UFC 308 would be counting out one man and that’s not something he is prepared to do.
He was asked if he had a pick for the fight during a recent interview with Submission Radio where he responded by saying that he isn’t sure who will claim the victory.
“I don’t know man… and I’m not even trying to be political, I have no idea. Topuria is someone who surprised me obviously last time so I learned very quickly not to say or go against him, lesson learned. Max is another guy that you don’t want to go against, lesson learned. Then when you look at the styles, you have Topuria who has more of a traditional boxer style, you have Max with his just a machine of punches and then unorthodox boxing style but it’s very effective.”
Robert Whittaker recently showered Dricus Du Plessis with praise, commending his fierce mentality and determination to secure victories in the Octagon.
At UFC 305 last month, Du Plessis successfully defended his middleweight crown for the first time, securing a stunning fourth-round submission victory over former champion Israel Adesanya—a win that Whittaker had confidently predicted beforehand.
Whittaker is now preparing for a high-stakes showdown against Khamzat Chimaev in a five-round middleweight clash, serving as the co-main event of UFC 308. The bout is set for October 26 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
The victor of this matchup is expected to earn a title shot against Du Plessis, and Whittaker is focused on sharpening his skills, determined to first conquer “Borz” and then settle the score with the South African…
Whittaker On Du Plessis’ Toughness: ‘He’s Literally Willing To Die Out There’
During a recent interview with mainevent, “The Reaper” opened up about his preparations for his upcoming showdown with Chimaev. The former middleweight champion revealed that he’s working hard to refine all aspects of his game, whether it’s striking or wrestling, as he aims to be more well-rounded than ever before.
“My striking is only getting better,” Whittaker said. “You can believe that every second you don’t see me in a ring or in an Octagon striking, I’m out there—I’m on the mat wrestling. Like, I’m constantly wrestling, I’m constantly grinding, and I’m perfecting myself. I’m really looking to come into this next fight as the best version of myself, with every box ticked.”
Whittaker also weighed in on Du Plessis’ victory over Adesanya, offering insight into what sets “Stillknocks” apart. He noted that while Du Plessis boasts an unorthodox fighting style, it’s his ironclad mentality and toughness that truly drives his success in the cage.
“I think he’s got a really solid headspace and mentality for winning fights. I think that’s like his superpower because he’s an awkward dude, he obviously hits really hard, and he’s tough as nails. But I think all of that stems from his relentlessness mentally. He’s literally willing to die out there, and I think if you don’t match that mentality, if you don’t come into the Octagon with the same headspace, you’re not going to take it from him.”
And Magomedov’s work for 2024 is not complete yet. After emerging victorious in Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi thus far into his Octagon tenure, “Bullet” is once again set to make the walk in the Middle East.
The promotion announced this week that Magomedov will share the cage with Armen Petrosyan (9-3) as part of the stacked UFC 308 lineup in Abu Dhabi on October 26.
Magomedov Targets Fourth Straight UFC Win At Petrosyan’s Expense
When he makes the walk at Etihad Arena, Magomedov will look to keep his undefeated professional and UFC records intact.
The latest man tasked with blemishing the Russian’s slate is Petrosyan, a Muay Thai specialist who has experienced a mixed bag of things in the UFC to date. After earning a contract with a brutal head kick knockout on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2021, the Armenian announced his arrival by outpointing the highly regarded Gregory Rodrigues.
“Superman” has since gone 2-2, losing out to current top-five contender Caio Borralho and most recently Rodolfo Vieira, with consecutive decision wins over AJ Dobson and Christian Leroy Duncan sandwiched between those setbacks.
Sean O’Malley will be defending the belt against Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 306 while Nurmagomedov watches on to see how it plays out.
@UNmgdv don’t lose round in the gym against even Welterweight don’t get taken down by anyone and he submit everyone whoever win next week Umar smash everybody Inshallah
The only thing that could potentially stop the undefeated contender from getting his shot is if there is the potential to put on a massive fight between UFC champions.
The current champion has spoken about wanting to face Nurmagomedov but a super fight against the winner of the featherweight title fight at UFC 308 could be a now-or-never opportunity for O’Malley and the promotion.
Tim Welch Says Super Fight Could Be Next For Sean O’Malley Under The Right Circumstances
In a recent interview with James Lynch for Bodog Canada, O’Malley’s head coach Tim Welch gave his thoughts on Nurmagomedov being the next contender.
Welch believes that taking on the cousin of the great Khabib Nurmagomedov will be their next challenge unless the main events of UFC 306 and UFC 308 end in emphatic fashion.
Welch referenced Dan Henderson’s iconic knockout of Michael Bisping at UFC 100 to make the case for this fight being put together if there is enough buzz.
“I think we’ll see how it goes and if Ilia, maybe if Max knocks out Ilia or Ilia knocks out Max cold and then ‘Suga’ just face plants Merab and drops a ‘Hendo’ bomb on him at the end and it’s just spectacular knock outs, I don’t think Dana and those guys would be opposed to make a super fight.”
Khamzat Chimaev is set to return to action at UFC 308 where his fight with former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker has been rescheduled for the co-main event.
Despite the fact that he debuted in the UFC four years ago, it still feels like there are so many unanswered questions surrounding the undefeated contender.
One of those athletes is the #5-ranked middleweight Caio Borralho who got some work in with Chimaev two years ago.
Caio Borralho Reflects On Experience Training With Khamzat Chimaev In Sweden
Borralho had two main takeaways from the time that he spent training with Chimaev in the past, as he detailed in a recent interview with Submission Radio.
“I already training with him, spent some time in Sweden with him for his training camp against Nate Diaz, the fight that never happened. I was there training with him every day, was my main sparring partner for this camp and I think it’s a very tough fight for Whittaker ‘cuz Khamzat has very great wrestling and there’s one thing about Khamzat that people don’t realize too much. They don’t know what kind of level to expect from him. Like they know by seeing but when feel it, think it’s a little bit different. This kind of level of wrestling, of grappling, I think the best wrestler in the division is Khamzat and we saw how he dominated Kamaru Usman, that’s a great, great wrestler.”
Along with his wrestling pedigree, the other major characteristic of Chimaev’s approach to MMA has been his intense work ethic.
Borralho gave some insight into this by detailing one particular session where “Borz” continued to work after completing the sparring session for the day.
“He trains a lot, like I didn’t see any other guy in my life that trains as much as he trains. Maybe that’s why sometimes he like kills his body and doesn’t make it to the fight but definitely a guy that over train everyone in the room. There was a time that we did like five rounds sparring and after sparring, he did like three or four rounds of pads and then after that, he did like a 30-minute run and I was like, ‘What the f*** is this guy doing?’”
Aljamain Sterling recently offered his insights on the upcoming featherweight title clash between reigning champion Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway at UFC 308.
Topuria claimed the 145-pound championship with a stunning knockout of former titleholder Alexander Volkanovski in the second round at UFC 298 in February. He has secured five victories in under two rounds, dismantling formidable foes such as Bryce Mitchell, Jai Herbert, and Josh Emmett.
On the other hand, “Blessed” is preparing for his third bid to recapture the featherweight crown, which slipped from his grasp against Volkanovski back in December 2019. Despite two valiant rematch efforts that fell short, Holloway has roared back with a trio of victories. He is coming off a last-second knockout of Justin Gaethje in a lightweight showdown at UFC 300 in April, a victory that also crowned him the BMF champion.
“Funk Master” suggests that if Holloway can expertly control the distance and fully capitalize on his reach advantage, he has a real shot at toppling Topuria.
Sterling Predicts Holloway Might Push Topuria To His Limits In Championship Rounds
During a recent appearance on Verse Us with Eric Nicksick, Sterling weighed in on the Topuria vs. Holloway clash at UFC 308. The former UFC bantamweight champion acknowledged “El Matador’s” knockout power, yet he pointed out several potential vulnerabilities.
Sterling believes that if Holloway can maintain the fight on the feet and execute his striking game with precision, it could spell trouble for the defending champion.
“Topuria is a savage; that guy can crack, but he struggled with Volkanovski in the first round,” Sterling said. “Enter Max Holloway: great footwork, high guard, long punches. He has shorter reach than Volkanovski, but his footwork is what helps him so much in his fights, and he’s great durability. So if he gets back to his kicking game and stays in his range—Topuria, I think, is 5’6″, maybe 5’7″. Max has a shorter reach for a guy at 145 pounds; I think it’s like 67″. So you look at that, you look at Topuria’s great grappling, but Max has great takedown defense. If Max could stay on his bike and touch him from the outside, it would be very interesting to see what happens in the later rounds.”
“Funk Master” went on to highlight that Topuria’s cardio remains relatively untested, and he suggested that if “Blessed” can extend the fight into the fourth and fifth rounds while maintaining a measured striking approach, it could pose yet another challenge for the undefeated Georgian-Spaniard.
“We haven’t seen Topuria [get] exhausted or tired yet. In round five with Josh Emmett, he was in the driver’s seat the whole time, but what happens if you could set a little fatigue in him—him having some failed takedown attempts, or even if he gets the takedowns and Max can get back up—it makes the fight very interesting. He’s always in your face with those spinning back kicks. If Max gets back to the old-school Max, it’s a very intriguing fight.”
Alex Pereira has taken to playing defense on behalf of the UFC following the announcement of his next title defense.
In the days prior to UFC 305, UFC CEO Dana White officially announced UFC 307 on Oct. 5 in Salt Lake City, with Alex Pereira defending his UFC light heavyweight championship in the main event against Khalil Rountree.
The UFC was met with backlash over the selection of Rountree as the title challenger. “The War Horse” has won five straight and has Performance of the Night bonuses in three of his last four wins. Rountree, however, is only ranked #8, coming off back-to-back finishes of Chris Daukaus and Anthony Smith.
Many were instead clamoring and believing that the next challenger would be Magomed Ankalaev, who will instead face Aleksandar Rakić at UFC 308 later that month. The Russian, ranked #2 at light heavyweight, is coming off a huge knockout of Johnny Walker from the start of 2024.
The decision to pick Rountree over Ankalaev has left many feeling that the UFC and CEO Dana White still hold a grudge against him for the UFC 282 light heavyweight title fight with Jan Błachowicz that ended in a draw. That was despite many feeling Ankalaev deserved the nod that night.
In a new YouTube video, however, Pereira claimed that while he also hoped for a fight with Ankalaev, the Dagestani does not want to fight him.
“I always wanted to fight against Ankalaev,” Pereira said via translation. “I threw that to the organization, left it very clear, but Ankalaev didn’t want to fight against me. I don’t know the reason — if it was the location, if he just didn’t want to.
“He isn’t the champion; he can’t pick anything. I think it’s the opportunity that shows up; he didn’t want it. He has his reasoning. I don’t know what it is,” Pereira continued. “Came to tell you guys, I’m not scared of anyone, and everyone knows my history.
Alex Pereira Claims Magomed Ankalaev Refused To Fight Him, Promises Striking War With Khalil Rountree
Pereira added that the way Ankalaev is acting, in his mind, could result in him not taking the fight with Rakić seriously and costing himself an eventual title shot.
“Ankalaev is talking about Jiří (Procházka), saying he is a false fighter, that he isn’t good since he lost two times to me. Everyone knows my story, seen my fights, not just UFC but also in (GLORY) Kickboxing, what I did to my opponents. He is taking these two fights to talk bad about the guy. I think Ankalaev has to be very careful with Rakić. The way Ankalaev has been acting his last fights, no one likes it. Fight was a tie, everyone saw it.
“I think he should watch out for Rakić. He is talking a lot about me, he is going to knock me out and all that. It’s what he says, but at the time, we’ll see if that’s what it is. But I think he should watch out with this fight. (It’s a) very dangerous fight for him; maintain focus on this fight because he is getting a tough opponent.”
Pereira added that despite Rountree’s ranking, the UFC thinks it’s the best matchup stylistically and that he is confident they will put on an entertaining performance.
Pereira, furthermore, pointed out his own meteoric rise to the top of the UFC as reason people should not count Rountree out.
“I think he is a guy showing work,” Pereira said. “It is going to be a good fight for us both. We both like to strike. Not just good for us, but for who is watching. Like I said, I thought it was going to be Ankalaev, but I think the organization sees it as a guy who will give a good fight. They are doing all this for you guys, to please you guys. Same way how I wasn’t ranked. Things happen very fast; look at what you guys get whenever I fight.
“So I think they are thinking the same thing for Khalil, giving him this opportunity. Ranking doesn’t matter. What matters is the work he has been doing, giving a show. I think it will be a good fight.”
Many will be expecting Ankalaev to come through yet another light heavyweight contender and continue to call for his shot, but Chael Sonnen believes some may be getting carried away…
Sonnen Warns Fans Not To Underestimate Rakić’s Chances Against Ankalaev
During a recent YouTube video, Sonnen spoke about what appears to be a number one contenders’ clash at 205 pounds that is set for October 26.
Not only were fans surprised to see Ankalaev not securing his date with the champion, many were puzzled by the decision to book him against Rakić. Whilst he is a top five contender in the division, he’s coming off of a loss in another title eliminator when he was stopped by Jiří Procházka at UFC 300.
Sonnen stated that although this could be the final hurdle for Ankalaev to overcome, it can’t be overlooked how big of an opportunity this is for his opponent.
“Ankalaev, clearly the number one contender, at least according to you guys. And you know what? I do have a little bit of a problem with that. I’s not a huge problem but I do have just a little one,” Sonnen said. “Which is Rakić is that damn good. You got to understand, Rakić did not get a world title fight — well neither did Ankalaev, but Rakić did find himself in the next best thing.
“He’s in a number one contenders’ match. That is quite literally the next best thing that you could get to a title fight and he found himself there coming off of a loss. As a matter of fact, he found himself there coming off of a stoppage loss. As a matter of fact, finding himself in this spot actually moves him in front of the guy that he suffered the loss to in Procházka,” Sonnen continued. “I’m only telling you this because that’s how good Rakić is and a lot of people have forgot.”
