UFC 308 is within the books, and Ilia Topuria stays the featherweight champion after doing the unthinkable: knocking out Max Holloway.
This previous Saturday in Abu Dhabi, Topuria scored the primary title protection of his featherweight reign with a third-round stoppage of Holloway, and will have performed sufficient to cement himself because the Fighter of the Yr. On prime of that, Khamzat Chimaev thrashed Robert Whittaker with a brutal first-round submission win to place himself in title competition.
So with a lot to speak about plus extra, let’s collect the MMA Preventing mind belief to debate the whole lot that occurred at UFC 308.
1. What’s your blurb assessment of UFC 308?
Heck: Ilia Topuria and Khamzat Chimaev are these guys.
Topuria knocking out Max Holloway in the best way that he did was gorgeous. Did I see Topuria profitable? I did, however actually not in the best way he confidently predicted throughout your entire construct to the battle.
Chimaev obliterating the facial space and enamel of Robert Whittaker is simply plain scary. Don’t make this too difficult, UFC: Give Chimaev the title shot, and quick.
Lee: The fighters with essentially the most stress on them delivered, serving to not solely themselves, however the UFC.
Ilia Topuria is a future legend, Khamzat Chimaev seemed like the very best middleweight on the planet, Magomed Ankalaev held serve, and even Lerone Murphy and Shara Magomedov made an influence of their respective contenders’ strains. Now it’s on the UFC to not get cute and provides these huge winners the alternatives they’re entitled to.
Meshew: None of your heroes are secure from the inexorable march of this sport.
Max Holloway and Robert Whittaker are two of essentially the most beloved fighters within the UFC. Each are former champions, each are nonetheless comparatively younger, and each seemed unbelievable main into Saturday night time. Due to that, many thought — or hoped — they could fend off Father Time. As an alternative, Saturday gave us a harsh reminder of the truth of this sport for all our heroes.
Martin: As marketed.
Ilia Topuria and Khamzat Chimaev have been each closely favored to win at UFC 308 however really delivering with such spectacular finishes can’t be emphasised sufficient. Max Holloway had by no means been knocked out and Topuria knocked him out. Whittaker had by no means been submitted within the UFC and Chimaev tapped him inside 5 minutes. Dwelling as much as expectations is hard however Topuria and Chimaev did that and extra on Saturday in Abu Dhabi.
2. What’s subsequent for Max Holloway?
Heck: So, so many choices for Holloway now, it’s a humiliation of riches for battle followers now that he’ll be a full-time light-weight. However the reply is Charles Oliveira, it doesn’t matter what occurs at UFC 309.
They have been matched up earlier than in a fundamental occasion in 2015, and we solely obtained somewhat over 90 seconds of motion till Oliveira obtained injured. I’ve wished to see this battle rebooked since, and now we now have the very best alternative to do it. Oliveira faces Michael Chandler in a number of weeks at MSG. Win or lose, give us Holloway vs. Oliveira the best way it was alleged to be.
Martin: It’s rematch season and there’s no greater battle obtainable to him then lastly working it again with Conor McGregor.
As a result of he’s nonetheless the “BMF” champion, Holloway has loads of choices obtainable to him for thrilling fights and a rematch with Dustin Poirier isn’t the worst thought both. However Dana White insists that McGregor is definitely going to battle in 2025 and his beforehand scheduled opponent Michael Chandler is now tied up in a rematch with Charles Oliveira. Sure, Dan Hooker retains pushing for that battle, however prefer it or not, he simply doesn’t transfer the needle sufficient to warrant McGregor’s consideration. Let’s not overcomplicate issues right here — McGregor vs. Holloway 2 can be the most important battle the UFC may promote subsequent yr, and it’s an opportunity for the Irish famous person to get a belt with out pissing off each contender ready in line at light-weight or welterweight.
Lee: It’s really a blessing – no pun supposed – that one of many three finest featherweights ever is now poised to shut his profession with a run at 155 kilos, the deepest division in MMA. There are many rematches for him to pursue (or within the case of Poirier, a trilogy), however there’s additionally contemporary blood that I’d like to see Holloway put to the check.
If I’ve to select his very subsequent battle, I’m going with neither a previous Holloway for nor an up-and-comer, however moderately a reputation I’ve already talked about for Holloway on On to the Subsequent One, Renato Moicano. Previously couple of years, “Cash” has performed pretty much as good a job as anybody of constructing their model and ensuring that he’s not simply thought to be an also-ran within the light-weight division. He’s earned the appropriate to battle a legend and his type matches up completely with Holloway. Frankly, I’ll be unhappy if this one by no means occurs.
Meshew: I don’t need to poop anybody’s celebration, but it surely may not be good.
Holloway has one of many best chins within the historical past of MMA, but it surely simply obtained cracked and as soon as that occurs, you’ll be able to’t unring the bell. From this level ahead, Holloway’s chin won’t ever be invulnerable once more, and traditionally, that is often the start of a gradual decline. Now, given how nice his chin was, Holloway may nonetheless have a late profession Mark Hunt “good however not impervious” chin for a number of extra years, however he’s additionally shifting as much as light-weight. Larger dudes hit tougher and there’s an actual chance we’ve seen the final of All-Time Nice Max, which is a bummer.
However setting that apart, nearly each battle at light-weight is enjoyable as hell. No fallacious approach to eat that Reese’s.
3. What was the very best a part of UFC 308?
Meshew: Ilia Topuria! After all it’s Ilia Topuria!
By turning into the primary particular person to knock out Holloway, Topuria, in my thoughts, locked up Fighter of the Yr. I do know there are Alex Pereira truthers on the market, and I can perceive a really particular sort of argument, however the gulf between what Topuria completed this yr and Pereira has is VAST. We’re speaking about knocking out two fighters — who’ve by no means been knocked out at featherweight — which might be among the many 15 finest fighters ever. That’s a historic achievement.
Plus, did you see that little wink Topuria threw to the digicam earlier than the battle? This man may be the sauciest fighter on the planet. Lengthy might he reign.
Heck: As you all know, I are usually hipster-like with a few of these questions, so I’ll take a street much less traveled: Max Holloway.
What???
Sure, Max Holloway. I do know, he misplaced and obtained knocked out, however the 32-year-old went on the market, fought his ass off, seemed darn good within the battle till he didn’t, after which — the most important purpose he’s my alternative — he confirmed as much as the post-fight press convention and took the loss like an absolute class act. As followers, we’re really “Blessed” {that a} fighter like Holloway competes on this sport. He provided no excuses, and whereas he didn’t need to be there to reply for the loss, he freaking did it. I respect the hell out of it, and now, light-weight Max Holloway goes to be extremely enjoyable.
Lee: Khamzat Chimaev! He fought! For actual!
Anybody who jumped off the “Borz” bandwagon, now could be the proper time to hop again on. Chimaev supporters have had their religion sorely examined over the previous few years as a wide range of calamities (some self-inflicted) and some muddy outcomes (I nonetheless say there’s no disgrace in going the space with Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns) dulled the once-blinding aura that first emanated from Battle Island. However while you bloodbath a former champion in Robert Whittaker, who remains to be one of many 5 finest middleweights on the planet, effectively, that’s not a foul approach to remind the doubters how particular of a expertise you’re.
Let’s simply hope it’s not one other 12 months earlier than we see Chimaev battle once more.
Martin: There are a number of choices, but it surely needs to be Ilia Topuria.
There’s no denying his greatness now after he grew to become the primary particular person to knock out Max Holloway. Sure, taking out Alexander Volkanovski in related style was ultra-impressive, but it surely’s inconceivable to overlook that Volk took that battle simply 4 months after he obtained flattened by Islam Makhachev. An argument could possibly be made that Volkanovski got here again too quickly, and Topuria was the recipient of getting a win over a compromised champion.
That’s not the case with the Holloway battle. He was six months faraway from arguably the best end in UFC historical past together with his jaw-dropping, last-second knockout over Justin Gaethje at UFC 300. Holloway seemed higher than ever in that battle and he began out in related style at UFC 308. However what Topuria did on Saturday hasn’t been performed by anyone else. Not Conor McGregor. Not Dustin Poirier. Not Gaethje or Volkanovski. There’s no extra doubting Topuria. He’s the very best featherweight on the planet by a large margin, and it’s powerful to see anyone beating him.
4. What was the worst a part of UFC 308?
Martin: Accidents are a part of the game however watching an OG of the sport like Rafael dos Anjos probably blow his knee out on his fortieth birthday is especially tough.
This sport is merciless at instances and infrequently can we see legends of the sport exit on prime. It’s not like anyone was anticipating dos Anjos to beat Geoff Neal, after which trip off into the sundown, however shredding his knee on the UFC 308 prelims was not pleasant by any means. Maybe the tougher capsule to swallow is that dos Anjos insists he’s coming again for extra and perhaps that’s not a horrible thought if the knee damage isn’t as unhealthy as suspected. But when he’s obtained to bear main knee reconstruction, and the Brazilian is out for an additional yr. It’s powerful to think about issues are going to get significantly better for a 41-year-old dos Anjos.
Heck: Robert Whittaker, one of many sport’s really good guys and gifted fighters, noticed his championship door shut and doubtless lock behind him. The truth that “The Reaper” was capable of construct his means again into that place on a number of events is unbelievable. Sadly, the middleweight division is simply getting higher — particularly with guys like Caio Borralho, Anthony Hernandez, Bo Nickel, Shara ‘“Bullet,” and others on the best way up. He’s been stopped by each du Plessis and Chimaev, two losses to Adesanya, and I believe he’ll be taking a protracted break after Saturday.
We’ll nonetheless be capable to watch Whittaker compete, and that’s nice, however to really feel like that championship chapter is over is sort of a bummer.
Meshew: Man, I assumed Heck was going to say Shara Magomedov’s callout of Israel Adesanya! However as an alternative he selected the one right reply. I may get cheeky and say one thing like judging (not nice however not as unhealthy as many thought) or the unhappy reminder of our personal mortality (see Query 1) however the reply is the horror film that was Robert Whittaker’s Saturday. That photograph will hang-out my nightmares for years.
Lee: Hey, it’s Chris Barnett!
Oh no, Chris Barnett!
As great because it was to see “Beastboy” again in motion after a collection of missed bookings, his return couldn’t have gone a lot worse. First, it seemed like he busted his leg up with a characteristically overly enthusiastic entrance, then he proceeded to battle with a visual limp, after which he was battered in opposition to the fence whereas basically standing on one leg.
Hey nook guys, you’ll be able to inform the ref to cease the battle, proper?
5. Did something shock you?
Lee: You realize what’s shocking?
ILIA TOPURIA KNOCKED OUT MAX HOLLOWAY.
That is one thing that all of us assumed simply couldn’t be performed. This was like somebody flat-lining a chief B.J. Penn. Or somebody submitting Khabib Nurmagomedov. Or a Diaz brother not complaining a few choice loss. Not going to occur, by no means going to occur.
However this occurred. Topuria didn’t simply catch Holloway, he emphatically took management of the battle in Spherical 3 and rocked Holloway earlier than placing him down for good with that fateful mixture. Max Holloway. Loss. Through KO.
I nonetheless don’t imagine it.
Martin: Khamzat Chimaev lastly reminding us all why there may be a lot hype round him.
Let’s be sincere, Chimaev’s run over the previous couple of years has been disappointing to say the least. Many people (myself included) topped him a future champion however tangling with COVID-19, continued struggles together with his immune system and accidents to not point out indecision round his weight class introduced this as soon as promising profession to a staggering halt. Even his return to middleweight ended with an emphatic thud after Kamaru Usman — a profession welterweight taking the battle on very brief discover — practically beat Chimaev. There have been so many doubts about Chimaev that Robert Whittaker grew to become the horny upset decide of the week.
Effectively it’s secure to say Chimaev silenced all doubts together with his efficiency on Saturday and now we are able to solely hope he stays wholesome sufficient to ebook a middleweight title battle in opposition to Dricus du Plessis sooner moderately than later.
Meshew: To cite one of many smartest males I do know:
ILIA TOPURIA KNOCKED OUT MAX HOLLOWAY.
ILIA TOPURIA KNOCKED OUT MAX HOLLOWAY.
ILIA TOPURIA KNOCKED OUT MAX HOLLOWAY.
GREAT GOOGLY MOOGLY I DIDN’T THINK IT WAS POSSIBLE BUT ILIA TOPURIA KNOCKED OUT MAX HOLLOWAY.
Heck: Mateusz Rebecki: You, sir, are an absolute savage.
Hand up, I used to be very fallacious about this battle with Myktybek Oralbai, and whereas I nonetheless imagine Oralbai has an excellent likelihood to be a top-10 man at light-weight, Rebecki confirmed that if you happen to can’t be destroyed and simply hit individuals as exhausting as you presumably can always in a battle, it may take you far. These two guys beat the soul out of one another, and will by no means be the identical. However regardless of being an enormous underdog, and coming off of a humbling defeat to Diego Ferreira, Rebecki’s superpowers solely obtained stronger. That was wild.
6. How are we going to recollect UFC 308?
Heck: It’s clearly Topuria and Chimaev, however to solid a broader internet, UFC 308 was a improbable card that delivered a few of the most memorable moments of the yr. Whereas the top-to-bottom lineup obtained a little bit of a facelift all through the street to Etihad Area, what we obtained was large. The fighters introduced it. Certain, there have been a few unhappy moments, however when Shara Magomedov’s insane knockout is sort of forgotten about, you’ve performed the factor.
Lee: The night time the place just about the whole lot went proper for the UFC.
Other than some miserable accidents and a travesty of a scorecard within the opening prelim bout (Hadi Mohamed Ali, we see you and we received’t overlook), Dana White and co. couldn’t have requested for a greater set of outcomes. Not solely does this present proceed a superb 2024 marketing campaign for the promotion, they’re set for even greater issues in 2025 with Topuria and Chimaev’s eye-catching performances.
We regularly say that the UFC is such a well-oiled machine as of late that it may solely fall upwards, however on this case it deserves to reap the rewards of a crowd-pleasing present.
Martin: The torch has been handed.
Ilia Topuria promised again and again forward of his battle in opposition to Max Holloway that it was time to crown a brand new technology of fighters and he was ready to steer that cost. Changing into the primary particular person to knock out a legend like Holloway just about proved his level. The identical could possibly be stated for Chimaev dispatching Whittaker, who was a former champion and perennial contender at middleweight. By all accounts, Whittaker’s championship window closed on Saturday whereas the door burst broad open for Chimaev. Holloway is in a greater place because of his “BMF” title and plans to maneuver to light-weight but it surely appears like his days as probably the most ferocious featherweights within the sport could also be performed.
A brand new technology certainly.
Meshew: *Takes a deep breathe*
ILIA TOPURIA KNOCKED OUT MAX HOLLOWAY.
ILIA TOPURIA KNOCKED OUT MAX HOLLOWAY.
ILIA TOPURIA KNOCKED OUT MAX HOLLOWAY.
However critically, within the brief time period, the factor we’ll keep in mind from UFC 308 is the principle occasion, however in future years, that is the occasion we’ll look again on when Ilia Topuria staked his declare to being the pound-for-pound finest fighter on the planet. Islam Makhachev nonetheless has declare to that title for now, however this can be a 1A 1B scenario.
No division in MMA historical past has produced extra traditionally nice champions than featherweight: Jose Aldo, Alexander Volkanovski, and Max Holloway are all top-15 fighters all-time. And at solely 27 years outdated, there’s a really actual chance that Topuria joins them by the top of his profession.