.Oct 26, 2024, 12:32 PM ETUndefeated UFC lightweight champ Ilia Topuria helps make the initial self defense of his headline versus former champ Maximum Holloway in the main activity of UFC 308 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.Topuria (15-0) gained the waistband in February with a second-round ko of Alexander Volkanovski. Topuria is No. 3 in the ESPN pound-for-pound men's rankings.The 10th-ranked Holloway (26-7), that reigned coming from June 2017 until December 2019, has gained three battles straight, very most just recently a KO of Justin Gaethje at 4:59 of the 5th round in their April battle at lightweight.Brett Okamoto, Andreas Hale, Jeff Wagenheim and also Dre Waters break all the action coming from UFC 308. Exactly how to check out the fightsWatch the pay-per-view and prelims on ESPN+: Get ESPN+ here.There's also FightCenter, which gives live updates for every UFC memory card.UFC 308 fight cardESPN+ PPV, 2 p.m. ETFeatherweight championship: 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 heavyweight: 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. Winner HugoMiddleweight: Ismail Naurdiev def. Bruno SilvaWelterweight: Rinat Fakhretdinov def. Carlos Leal( c) = standing up for championA journeying mixed martial arts fighter's hardest opponent while international? SleepFor a lot of the planet, being actually completely practical at the workplace without a good night of remainder shows a substantial challenge. The good news is, most do not need to stress over being actually punched in the face. However, for competitors functioning without suitable sleep, the frame for mistake at their place of employment is tiny as well as can be the variation in between a victory and waking up on the canvas. Few browse these less-than-optimal journeying conditions in addition to Maximum Holloway." I stay in the middle of the sea," Holloway stated in an interview with the UFC's Megan Olivi as he prepared to contend in the UAE for the 3rd time. "Whatever technique I go, it's a very long way." There's no such thing as a home ready Holloway. He have not battled in Hawaii since his 4th specialist match in 2011. Since then, the present BMF champ has actually competed while driving in the UFC for 29 specialist fights throughout eight time zones.Read the story.UFC 308 fight rankings: Carries out any kind of match leading Topuria vs. Holloway?The sales sound for the lightweight championship clash in between Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway can adhere to latest occasions. It may begin and end in very early 2024. One match apiece-- one of the most recent for every of all of them-- is actually all our company need to know about to be sold on Sunday's competition in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.For Topuria, that one engaging match took place in February, when he nabbed away the belt with a knockout blow that abruptly ended Alexander Volkanovski's four-year reign. As for Holloway, his hard sell happened pair of months later, when he authored perhaps the best KO in MMA past history by sending out Justin Gaethje face-first to the canvass with only one 2nd continuing to be in their fifth shot of violence.Read the story.UFC 308 very first appearance: Big inquiries on Topuria-Holloway, Chimaev's return, moreIlia Topuria confiscated the minute at UFC 298 when he dealt with among the light GOATs, Alexander Volkanovski. Topuria dismissed Volkanovski in February and also ended up being the 145-pound champ. 8 months eventually, Topuria will definitely currently tackle probably the various other light GOAT, as Maximum Holloway will certainly aim to reclaim his title.Andreas Hale, Brett Okamoto as well as Jeff Wagenheim use their initial thought and feelings, review and also predictions on UFC 308. Review the story.Best energetic mixed martial arts ko performers across weight classesMaybe we ought to put one thing extra on the line when Holloway problems Topuria on Oct. 26. Besides the UFC featherweight champion, just how about our company also crack a connection as well as declare the victor as the top KO musician at 145 extra pounds?. That could be the instance, naturally, merely if the man that leaves of the crate along with the belt has actually protected the gain using knockout blow. And it'll be actually a substantial achievement if it occurs, as Topuria is unbeaten as well as Holloway has never ever been knocked senseless in thirty three expert fights.Read the account.2024 MMA midyear awards: Consentaneous winners, unusual submittings as well as legendary knockoutsThere are going to never be actually an opinion "biggest ko in UFC history," but Holloway's KO of Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 in April may be the absolute most prominent choice. Filling in the facility of the Octagon in the ultimate few seconds of a five-round battle he was actually precisely winning and resting Gaethje-- it was only all Holloway. It described Holloway as a boxer and an individual. The simple fact it took place up a weight class in a BMF title battle could not have actually been actually any more perfect.Read the account.