Ilia Topuria returned to the Octagon on Saturday for a massive UFC 308 headliner against one of the most beloved strikers in mixed martial arts history—Max ‘Blessed’ Holloway.
‘El Matador’ put his UFC featherweight world championship on the line for the first time since scoring a stunning second-round TKO against Alexander Volkanovski in February. Meeting him in the center of the cage was Holloway, the promotion’s reigning BMF title and the man with the most wins and finishes in the featherweight division’s history.
Round 1
Topuria comes out and immediately challenges Holloway to stand in the center and throw hands. Holloway declines and starts the fight staying at range with a variety of kicks. Holloway lands a nice jab as Topuria attempts to close the distance. Less than 90 seconds into the fight, Topuria shoots for a double leg and scores an easy takedown against the fence. Holloway works his way up and separates.
Holloway rushes in with a combo and eats a counter right hand from Topuria. The champ chops away at Holloway’s lead leg, but Topuria is already showing some swelling under the right eye from an earlier exchange. Topuria throws a combination and Holloway circles away. Topuria goes back to attacking the outside lead leg and Holloway stays committed to using the front kick. Holloway continues to mix up his kicks and Topuria appears to be struggling with the range.
Holloway lands a nice right hand in close. Holloway throws a spinning heel kick but misses the mark. With just over 10 seconds to go, Topuria lands another takedown and takes Holloway’s back, but there’s not enough time to do anything with the position.
Round 2
Holloway lands a short right hand to start the second stanza. ‘Blessed’ continues to get the better of the boxing exchanges, landing another cracking right as Topuria tries to close in. Holloway goes back to the kicking game as Topuria whiffs on a three-punch combo. Topuria lands a solid calf kick followed by another and Holloway lands a jab to keep Topuria at bay.
Topuria lands a right followed by a big left hook that wobbles Holloway ever so slightly. Topuria lands another nice right hand, but Holloway comes right back with a connection of his own. Topuria swings for the fences, but he’s just out of range. Topuria starts to mix in some body attacks landing a left hook to Holloway’s midsection. Topuria goes back to the lead leg attack, but Holloway is still moving well. Holloway catches Topuria with a right hand.
Both fighters exchange in close and trade calf keeps as the second round comes to an end.
Round 3
Topuria takes the center of the Octagon and lands a jab early. Holloway keeps ‘El Matador’ from closing in with a barrage of kicks. Holloway switches to southpaw before quickly switching back to orthodox. Holloway lands a couple of vicious oblique kicks, but Topuria fires back with a thudding right hand that has Holloway reeling. Topuria rushes in and looks for the knockout shot, but ‘Blessed’ circles away.
Topuria stays on the hunt and traps Holloway against the fence. Topuria unleashes a combination and catches Holloway with a nasty left hook that puts the BMF titleholder on the mat. Topuria follows it up with some hammer fists on the canvas that forces referee Marc Goddard to step in and call for the stoppage.
Official Result: Ilia Topuria def. Max Holloway via TKO (left hook to ground and pound) at 1:34 of Round 3.
Check Out Highlights From Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway at UFC 308:
https://x.com/DelinquentMMA/status/1850272063233380860
https://x.com/ChampRDS/status/1850272942141104415
https://x.com/Home_of_Fight/status/1850274853624176914
ILIA TOPURIA HAS KNOCKED OUT MAX HOLLOWAY!!!! OH MY GOODNESSSS!!!!!#UFC #MMA #UFC308https://t.co/eSrrGyeXoC
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) October 26, 2024
https://x.com/Bystepo/status/1850278751483085294
