Five reasons to watch UFC 308, featuring a title fight between Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway

Ilia Topuria faces Max Holloway No. UFC 308 (Photo: Montage/SUPER FIGHTS)

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There is little time left until the big fight between Ilia Topuria e Max Holloway No. UFC 308, which takes place this Saturday (26), in Abu Dhabi. It is the first time that 'El Matador' puts the featherweight belt (up to 65,7 kg) on ​​the line, which he won in February of this year. His opponent, who was already champion in the category, wants to feel the taste of holding the title again.

In addition to the main fight of the event, the SUPER FIGHTS listed four more reasons for you not to take your eyes off the UFC 308. In addition to having six Brazilians in action, the next opponent of Alex Poatán can be defined. Check it out!

1) Featherweight title fight

Ilia Topuria is the current UFC featherweight champion / UFC Reproduction

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Promise of a hot showdown between the two featherweight fighters. Undefeated in the UFC, Ilia Topuria has 15 wins and is the current champion since February, when he knocked out the Australian Alexander Volkanovsky in the second round by UFC 298.

El Matador is confident in his first title defense. The champion heated up the backstage of the fight even more after warning fans not to 'blink' at any point after the referee authorized the start of the fight, especially in the first 10 seconds.

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“Just don’t blink! (Especially) not in the first 10 seconds, because it will be the most exciting first 10 seconds in UFC and MMA history,” he warned.

But on the other side is the toughest guy in the UFC! Current holder of the BMF belt, Max Holloway wants to be division champion again.

Holloway has a record of 26 wins and 7 losses. The Hawaiian has won three straight and is considered the best striker of all time in the UFC, with a high rate of significant strikes landed and significant strike differential (landed – received).

2) Robert Whittaker x Khamzat Chimaev

Khamzat Shimaev is undefeated in the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter @UFC

The former linear middleweight champion (up to 83,9 kg) faces Khamzat Shimaev. The Australian is on a two-fight winning streak, but his Russian opponent is still a name to beat. Chimaev is undefeated in the UFC, with 13 wins, eight of which came in the first round.

Whittaker is ranked 3rd, with a record of 27 wins (11 by knockout) and seven losses. These numbers do not impress Chimaev, who, as he is still undefeated, provoked his opponent throughout the week.

“He (Whittaker) knows how to lose, we don’t. So I’m ready for the win,” said the Russian, currently ranked 13th.

3) Alex Poatan's future opponent

M. Ankalaev seeks chance to challenge Alex Poatán. Photo: Reproduction/ Instagram @ufc

Another fight to keep your eyes glued to this Saturday, as the next challenger for the light heavyweight belt (up to 93kg) should come from here against the champion Alex Poatán. Magomed Ankalayev face Aleksandar rakic for a chance to challenge the Brazilian for the title.

Ankalaev's name has been mentioned as an opponent for Poatan. With a record of 19 wins, one loss and one draw, the Russian has been exchanging barbs with the Brazilian for some time and promises to end the champion's reign soon.

Magomed moved up one position in the rankings and is in first place alongside Prochazka, who already lost by knockout to Poatan in 2024. Even so, his fighting style is seen as 'boring' by many and has already been criticized by Dana White, who told the Russian that he needs to 'beat and convince' Rakic ​​to have a chance to challenge Poatan.

Moreover, Aleksandar rakic is going through his worst phase in the UFC, coming off two consecutive knockout losses, against Blachowicz and Prochazka. Currently ranked 5th, the Austrian has a record of 14 wins (nine of them by knockout) and four losses. He knows he enters as an 'underdog' against Ankalaev, but he has already said that he wants to surprise and that he will also fight for the chance to challenge the current champion.

4) Six Brazilians in action

Veterano Rafael dos Anjos is one of the Brazilians in action in UFC 308 (Photo: Instagram)

It's green and yellow! The preliminary card of UFC 308 brings this Saturday six clashes involving Brazilians. The Curitiba Carlos Leal makes his debut in the organization against Rinat Fakhretdinov.

Coming from three straight defeats, Bruno Blindado tries to get back on the path to victory against Ismail Naurdiev.

Goiás' Victor 'Striker' Hugo is fighting for the third time in the UFC against the undefeated Farid Basharat.

The preliminary card still has a good fight in store between the Curitiba native Bruno Hulk e Abus Magomedov and the veteran Rafael dos Anjos against the North American Geoff neal.

Another Brazilian to debut in the UFC is Raffael Cerqueira. The 34-year-old athlete from Salvador faces the Turkish fighter Ibo Aslan.

5) Special hours

Abu Dhabi City. Photo: Reproduction/YouTube byMonaco

Don't worry, you won't need to sleep late to enjoy everything that's on offer. UFC 308 has to offer this Saturday! That's because the fights will take place at the Etihad Arena, which is located in Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates. Therefore, the preliminary card is scheduled to start at 11 am and the main card at 15 pm (Brasília time).

A good time to have lunch at home or with friends!

UFC 308 technical sheet

Order date: October 26th, 2024

Open Hours: From 11pm (Brasília time)

Location: Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

How to watch: SUPER FIGHTS LIVE in real time and UFC Fight Pass (entire card) online

MAIN CARD

Featherweight (up to 65,7 kg): Ilia Topuria x Max Holloway – fight for the belt

Average weight (up to 83,9 kg): Robert whittaker x Khamzat Shimaev

Light heavyweight (up to 93 kg): Magomed Ankalayev x Aleksandar rakic

Featherweight (up to 65,7 kg): Lerone murphy x Dan Ige

Average weight (up to 83,9 kg): Shara Magomedov x Armen petrosyan

PRELIMINARY CARD 

Light heavyweight (up to 93kg): Ibo Aslan x Raffael Cerqueira

Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): Geoff neal x Rafael dos Anjos

Light weight (up to 70,3 kg): Mateusz Rebecki x Myktybek Orolbai

Average weight (up to 83,9 kg): Abus Magomedov x Bruno Hulk

Heavy weight (up to 120,2 kg): Kennedy Nzechukwu x Chris Barnett

Bantam weight (up to 61,2 kg): Farid Basharat x Victor Hugo

Average weight (up to 83,9 kg): Ismail Naurdiev x Bruno Blindado

Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): Rinat Fakhretdinov x Carlos Leal