UFC 308 preview: Tidbits, info, 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 Area in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

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

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

Finest Combat For The Relaxation Of 2024

There have been some completely unimaginable fights in 2024, however the principle occasion of 308 between Topuria vs. Holloway is by far the most effective struggle for the remainder of the 12 months, and there’s an argument for the most effective struggle of 2024.

There may be a lot to this struggle. The trash discuss has been fairly heated, but it surely’s the technical facet 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?

It is going to be robust 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 Massive 30

UFC 308 will likely be Holloway’s thirtieth struggle contained in the octagon. The 32-year-old made his UFC debut method again at UFC 143 in 2012 towards Dustin Poirier.

Fundamental Eventers

UFC 308 will likely be Topuria’s third UFC essential occasion—his third consecutive (UFC 298, UFC Jacksonville). It is going to be Holloway’s eleventh time headlining a UFC card.

Title Combat 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’s nonetheless time for “Borz” to drag 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 observe.

Rebooked!

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

Now, they lastly throw down.

5 Spherical Co-Fundamental

One final thing about Chimaev vs. Whittaker … they’re combating for 5 rounds. And it is sensible as a result of there are loads of stakes connected to it, like a potential Middleweight title shot.

Thanks, Now Combat This Killer

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

Effectively, 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 obtained booked towards undefeated killer Lerone Murphy.

Wahoo!!!

Pirate Returns

Prime prospect Sharabutdin Magomedov, aka the Russian fighter with one eye, is kicking off the PPV essential card. He’s 3-0 to this point contained in the promotion however is combating his hardest check 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 imagined to compete in season eight of Contender Sequence however was referred to as to struggle at UFC 308 as an alternative. Cerqueira holds a 91% end charge with eight knockouts.

Goodbye Light-weight

Former UFC legend and Light-weight champion Rafael Dos Anjos returns tomorrow, and he’s lastly executed 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 closing contract).

RDA has had so-so outcomes at Welterweight and can struggle 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 towards Jake Collier.

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

Weigh-In Fiasco

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

Yikes.