UFC 308 headliners Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway could not be more different outside the cage, but inside it, their exhilarating, action-packed styles combined to result in exactly the powder keg fans had expected.
Topuria, a trash-talker from the McGregor mold, and Holloway, one of the sport’s best representatives care of his thoughtful, soft-spoken ways, both had much to gain in terms of legacy on Saturday night. For Holloway, a return to the throne at this stage of his career would perhaps cement him as the greatest featherweight of all time. Topuria, meanwhile, looked to avoid being a one-and-done champ, and secure the biggest scalp of his career (with apologies to Alexander Volkanovski).
Topuria opened the fight, as he’d promised early on, by pointing to the floor, suggesting the pair stand and trade. Holloway, known for doing that at the end of fights, declined. Instead, Holloway stayed outside, while Topuria closed the distance with his boxing. On the next entry, it was Topuria scooping up Holloway and landing an impressive takedown. Holloway popped back up, but was tripped down for a mat return before escaping out.
When they re-engaged on the feet, Topuria landed solid; Holloway connected with a jab moments after. The champion’s kicks were on point as well, connecting to the outside of the lead leg repeatedly. Holloway started to find his rhythm, landing several times across a handful of exchanges. Topuria was showing some damage around the face by the end of the round. Max slipped late, but while Topuria took the back, time quickly ran out.
A Holloway chant granted the fighters in round two. A back-and-forth battle played out early in the frame, with Topuria going back to his calf kicks. Holloway’s jab, however, was keeping the champ outside. And as the round progressed, Holloway again began to find his flow, picking his shots, firing off combos, and getting the crowd chanting again, as they had to open the stanza. Holloway also mixed in kicks, to the leg and body. “Blessed” finished the round connecting with a spinning back kick to the midsection that forced Topuria back.
Round three opened with Topuria doubling up on his jab, backing Holloway up but falling short. The challenger came back with a high kick, blocked. Holloway had dropped into a southpaw stance after two rounds of leg kicks hammering away. Holloway was attacking the obliques with his own kicks. The momentum changed when Topuria rocked Holloway with a right hand! Moments later, he unleashed a flurry, but Max escaped. Still hurt, Topuria followed, unleashed another combination, and had Holloway down off a brutal left hand! Topuria unleashed with ground n’ pound while Holloway grabbed for leg. The ref gave Holloway a shot, but had soon seen enough, giving Ilia Topuria a third-round TKO.
After the bout, former champ Alexander Volkanovski was brought into the cage, and it appears a rematch with Topuria might be up next.
Official Result: Ilia Topuria def. Max Holloway by TKO, Round 3, 1:34
