Help trulyindependent journalism
Discover out extraShut
Our mission is to ship unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds energy to account and exposes the reality.
Whether or not $5 or $50, each contribution counts.
Help us to ship journalism with out an agenda.
Ilia Topuria will defend his featherweight title towards Max Holloway in the principle occasion of UFC 308, it has been introduced.
Topuria gained the belt in February, knocking out Alexander Volkanovski within the second spherical to finish the Australian’s four-year reign, which started with a win over Holloway in 2019.
After outpointing Holloway to dethrone the Hawaiian, Volkanovski retained the title 5 occasions. Throughout that run, he beat Holloway on factors two extra occasions.
However Volkanovski dropped the belt to the brash Topuria this yr, and now Holloway has an opportunity to regain the gold.
The primary occasion of UFC 308, which takes place on 26 October in Abu Dhabi, marks Topuria’s first title defence. Along with his win over Volkanovski, the unbeaten 27-year-old grew to become the primary fighter of Georgian or Spanish heritage to win a UFC title.
Holloway, 32, held the featherweight belt from 2017 till 2019, recording three profitable title defences. He took the gold from 145lb legend Jose Aldo with a knockout, earlier than retaining it towards the Brazilian in the identical vogue. Additional defences got here towards Brian Ortega and ex-champion Frankie Edgar, each through determination.
In his most up-to-date struggle, Holloway stopped Justin Gaethje within the final second of their light-weight bout at UFC 300. Holloway dominated the previous interim 155lb champion for 5 rounds, earlier than faceplanting the American with one of many best knockouts in UFC historical past.
On the UFC 308 undercard, Robert Whittaker is scheduled to face Khamzat Chimaev, 4 months after the Russian-born middleweight withdrew from a deliberate conflict with the ex-champion.
Additionally, former interim heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane will struggle Alexander Volkov, three years after beating the veteran, and Magomed Ankalaev will face Aleksandar Rakic at light-heavyweight.
