.Oct 26, 2024, 12:32 PM ETUndefeated UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria makes the first self defense of his label against past champ Max Holloway generally occasion of UFC 308 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.Topuria (15-0) won the belt in February with a second-round knockout of Alexander Volkanovski. Topuria is actually No. 3 in the ESPN pound-for-pound males's rankings.The 10th-ranked Holloway (26-7), that reigned coming from June 2017 until December 2019, has actually gained three battles in a row, most recently a KO of Justin Gaethje at 4:59 of the 5th round in their April fight at lightweight.Brett Okamoto, Andreas Hale, Jeff Wagenheim and also Dre Waters break all the activity from UFC 308. Exactly how to watch the fightsWatch the pay-per-view as well as prelims on ESPN+: Obtain ESPN+ here.There's additionally FightCenter, which gives online updates for each UFC card.UFC 308 match cardESPN+ PPV, 2 p.m. ETFeatherweight champion: 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 abundant: 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. Victor HugoMiddleweight: Ismail Naurdiev def. Bruno SilvaWelterweight: Rinat Fakhretdinov def. Carlos Leal( c) = defending championA journeying mixed martial arts fighter's most difficult challenger while overseas? SleepFor a lot of the globe, being actually totally practical at the office without a good night of rest presents a considerable obstacle. Thankfully, most do not must worry about being punched in the skin. Nevertheless, for fighters working without correct rest, the frame for inaccuracy at their location of employment is microscopic and also may be the variation in between a success and getting out of bed on the canvas. Handful of get through these less-than-optimal traveling conditions as well as Maximum Holloway." I reside in the center of the sea," Holloway said in a job interview along with the UFC's Megan Olivi as he readied to complete in the UAE for the third time. "Whatever means I go, it is actually a very long way." There's no such factor as a home game for Holloway. He have not dealt with in Hawaii given that his fourth professional fight in 2011. Ever since, the existing BMF champion has actually completed when driving in the UFC for 29 qualified matches all over eight opportunity zones.Read the story.UFC 308 battle ranks: Performs any matchup leading Topuria vs. Holloway?The sales sound for the featherweight championship clash in between Ilia Topuria as well as Maximum Holloway may adhere to latest celebrations. It can start and finish in early 2024. One match each-- the best recent for each of all of them-- is actually all our company require to understand about to be availabled on Sunday's matchup in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.For Topuria, that one persuasive fight took place in February, when he nabbed away the belt with a knockout blow that quickly ended Alexander Volkanovski's four-year reign. As for Holloway, his cold call came pair of months later, when he authored probably the best KO in MMA history through sending Justin Gaethje face-first to the canvass along with just one 2nd staying in their fifth shot of violence.Read the story.UFC 308 1st appeal: Big inquiries on Topuria-Holloway, Chimaev's gain, moreIlia Topuria took the second at UFC 298 when he encountered among the light GOATs, Alexander Volkanovski. Topuria uncrowned Volkanovski in February as well as ended up being the 145-pound champ. 8 months later on, Topuria will definitely right now handle arguably the various other light GOAT, as Maximum Holloway will want to reclaim his title.Andreas Hale, Brett Okamoto and also Jeff Wagenheim supply their 1st ideas, review and forecasts on UFC 308. Read the story.Best active mixed martial arts knockout artists throughout weight classesMaybe our experts need to put one thing extra vulnerable when Holloway difficulties Topuria on Oct. 26. Aside from the UFC featherweight champion, how concerning our company also break an association as well as announce the champion as the top KO musician at 145 extra pounds?. That could be the situation, of course, merely if the fella that walks out of the cage along with the belt has protected the succeed through knockout blow. And it'll be actually a notable achievement if it takes place, as Topuria is undefeated as well as Holloway has never ever been actually knocked senseless in 33 pro fights.Read the tale.2024 MMA midyear honors: Consentaneous winners, uncommon entries and legendary knockoutsThere are going to certainly never be an opinion "ultimate knockout blow in UFC history," but Holloway's KO of Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 in April could be one of the most well-known pick. Standing in the center of the Octagon in the ultimate secs of a five-round battle he was actually accurately gaining and resting Gaethje-- it was merely all Holloway. It determined Holloway as a boxer as well as an individual. The reality it occurred up a weight social rank in a BMF label match could not have been actually anymore perfect.Read the story.