KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)
A featherweight title fight tops the UFC 308 card this weekend at Yas Island as reigning featherweight king Ilia Topuria takes on former champion Max Holloway in the highlight event for the last quarter of 2024 in the mixed martial arts' world.
While Topuria made claims of knocking out Holloway in the first round before the media day and open workout sessions on Wednesday and Thursday respectively, renowned fighters such as Israel Adesanya and Dustin Poirer, and Holloway himself have brushed it aside as tall talk before the fight begins at Etihad Arena on Saturday night.
Topuria is undefeated at 15-0 in his professional MMA career and won his title when he knocked out longtime champion Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 in February.
The performance shot him into the spotlight and earned him the honour of being the first champion from Georgia and Spain.
Reflecting on the significance of defending his title in the city where his UFC journey began, "It's something amazing. It really feels like a blessing to have made my debut here and now defend my title for the first time."
On the other side of the Octagon from Topuria is Holloway, who held the featherweight title from December 2016 through December 2019.
He lost his title to Volkanovski and then lost in two subsequent rematches.
Now, following his iconic Fight of the Year affair with Justin Gaethje at UFC 300, he gets another shot to become champion again.
When Holloway spoke to the media earlier this week from his hotel room in Dubai, one could see his trophies from having participated and won at UAE Warriors 9 and the Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu World Pro, which will be held next month.
Holloway, who defeated Calvin Kattar in 2021 in what was the first UFC event inside Etihad Arena, expressed his enthusiasm about returning to the scene of that historic night.
"I was the first guy to fight at the Etihad Arena and now I get to come back and fight for a world title. The moment I had in that first fight was incredible, and being here again feels amazing."
Things got heated at times between the two fighters during Thursday's press conference, which culminated with the headliners having their first staredown.
With Dana White between them, Topuria walked on stage with a big smile on his face, and as he got close to Holloway, he began to laugh in the BMF champ's face.
The newly crowned featherweight champion then said something to the challenger, before Holloway shrugged it off and posed for fans, who were treated to an energetic open workout in public.
Meanwhile, Poirier said on "The Bohnfire" podcast, "To go out there and one-punch Max is going to be almost impossible, I think. It can happen, for sure. But I don't think it will."
Like Holloway, also preparing up north in Dubai, is the No.3-ranked contender in middleweight, Robert Whittaker as he fights the co-main event against the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev in a five-round bout with title implications.
The co-main event features a clash of top middleweights, with No.3-ranked contender Robert Whittaker taking on the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev in a five-round bout with title implications.
While Whittaker's camp parked at the Renzo Gracie's gym, Chimaev said he is feeling good having worked hard and trained in the mountains.
"I'm a complete fighter. However it goes, I'm ready for that."
Acknowledging his opponent's strengths, Whittaker respectfully said: "Khamzat has a great skill set and the hype around him is real," Whittaker said.
"But I've faced some of the best in the world and come out on top many times. This fight is just another chance to put my experience to the test."
With such massive two main bouts, UFC 308 promises another night to remember for Abu Dhabi – its 20th UFC event in just 10 years.
Head to Head Key Stats
TOPURIA
0.94 knockdowns per 15 minutes (7th all-time among FW) 65.4% strike defence (6th all-time among FW) 1.92 takedowns per 15 minutes
HOLLOWAY
7.1 strikes landed per minute (3rd all-time among FW), +2.5 striking differential (3rd all-time among FW) 83.5% takedown defence (7th all-time among FW)