UFC 308: Topuria inflicts Holloway's first knockout defeat to retain title

Image: Dayton Daily News

Ilia Topuria told everyone who would listen that he would become the first man to knock out Max Holloway, and that's exactly what he did in a spectacular maiden defence of the featherweight crown in Abu Dhabi. 

A pulverizing left-hook landed in round three spelt the end for the legendary challenger following a hard-fought battle in UFC 308's main event where both me were made to work in every exchange. When the moment came, "El Matador" pounced with ground-and-pound shots prompting referee Marc Goddard to halt the contest. 

Following up on an intriguing pre-fight build, Topuria followed up on his declaration to meet his counterpart for an exchange in the middle of the Octagon from the first bell, although a measured Holloway declined the engagement. A compelling opening stanza saw Topuria initially struggling to find his range, as Holloway waded in and out of the danger zone with a steady diet of straight punches. Exhibiting fine versatility, the champion was still able to make headway by chopping away at the lead leg of the Hawaiian and securing an emphatic takedown. The BMF champion was able to work back to the feet and picked off the Spaniard as he moved laterally on the outside, with "El Matador" already sporting some swelling on his face. A competitive ended with Topuria taking the back of Holloway after a slip.

Round two saw the former king up the volume and improve his prospects of reclaiming the belt, boxing beautifully at range with plenty of jabs and a one-two down the pipe. Topuria was trying to slip and roll with punches before coming over the top with counters, and after missing a few earlier, he landed two big left hooks in quick succession that were ate by the challenger. "Blessed" was clearly getting into a rhythm while Topuria stayed composed, letting out a little bit of frustration as the klaxon sounded to end the round following a spinning back kick landed to the body by Holloway.

The touchpaper was lit in the third round with Topuria needing to switch things up to stall the momentum of Holloway, landing left hooks to the body early and a hard low kick. Holloway continued to fire back with oblique kicks and tried to catch and counter from Topuria's shots. But Topuria seized on his moment when he had Holloway backing away towards the fence, uncorking a monstrous right hand that dazed the challenger, going to the body after and swarming as he covered up against the fence. Holloway retreated but then walked into a hellacious left hook that spelt the end of the contest, as "El Matador" paraded the cage with his biggest statement yet.

He did EXACTLY what he said he'd do 🤯@TopuriaIlia just knocked out Max Holloway at #UFC308!

[ #InAbuDhabi | @InAbuDhabi | @VisitAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/hbQjS5qplS

— UFC (@ufc) October 26, 2024

"Beating a legend like Max Holloway, it's something that I couldn't believe," a grateful Topuria said in his post-fight interview. "I hope I'm going to be a small portion of the example he's been for the new generation." Topuria would then embrace Volkanovski in the cage, the former champion whose reign was ended earlier this year by Topuria, and seemingly agreed to a rematch for his next contest. A dejected Holloway meanwhile, stunned having tasted his first knockout defeat, gave credit to Topuria and will most likely eye a move up to the lightweight division for his next outing.

The Big Bad "Borz" is back 

This was poised to be Khamzat Chimaev's ultimate litmus test, five rounds with a credible, world class former champion that had seen it all. One takedown and some dominance in the ground later, Robert Whittaker was made to learn what the rest of the world is coming to terms with: Chimaev is a dangerous man. It took less than a full round in the co-main event as Chimaev secured a submission victory against the Australian, destroying his jaw in the process.

Image: Chris Unger / ZUFFA LLC

"Borz" applied pressure right off the bat, shooting from far out and securing a takedown, quickly taking the back of the Australian. Whittaker would keep his composure and fend off early takedown attempts, but would eventually get trapped in a rear-naked choke, tapping immediately after his jaw would get dislocated from the squeeze. Following a year layoff, Chimaev looked more formidable than ever and has punched his ticket for a shot at the middleweight belt. 

Ankalaev next in line for "Poatan"

It's criminal that Magomed Ankalaev hasn't fought for the light heavyweight title already, but the Russian left no doubt that he's next after dispatching a valiant Aleksandar Rakic over three rounds, showing more aggression and intent to impress the judges and matchmakers. 

Rakic's kicks made the difference in the first round, landing a head kick that bounced off the dome of his counterpart, but Ankalaev would grow into the fight and began getting a gauge of the range and timing of Rakic who spent a large portion of the fight on the back foot circling the cage. Ankalaev would begin to open up to the body with straight punches and also cracked the chin of Rakic at several points, finishing strong as the fight went into the third round and busting up his opponent. Rakic tried to wrestle against the cage to see out the bout however Ankalaev was able to control the fight and take the initiative. He presents an interesting stylistic matchup for the light heavyweight champion Alex "Poatan" Pereira and it should make for a compelling showdown early next year.

Murphy remains unbeaten by the slimmest of margins

Recovery is just what Lerone Murphy does. The Manchester Top Team featherweight took his biggest scalp yet seeing off Dan Ige, bouncing back from a first round knockdown to edge the fight on the scorecards.

Ige came out aggressively and made Murphy work, not allowing him to settle and coming forward with calculated pressure, before punctuating a successful start with a takedown against the cage. The veteran however would be sporting a huge gash on his head as a result of a beautifully-timed right elbow counter from the Brit. Bloodied but not beaten, Ige would mount his opponent towards the end of the round, briefly pursuing a submission while Murphy kept his composure from the bottom.

"The Miracle" would rally in the second stanza, landing a few strikes while Ige's workrate dropped dramatically. The American saw his takedown attempt denied and Murphy would take the round with a takedown and ended the round in pursuit of a triangle choke.

It appeared all to play for going into the final round with both athletes exhausted. Murphy notably scored with a head kick and knee although Ige would end up in control on the mat after reversing a takedown attempt. They exchanged in the final moments before Murphy landed another takedown, with the fight being justified either way - this time it was the Mancunian whose hand was raised, keeping his unbeaten record intact.