Tag: Ilia Topuria

Video: Did Ilia Topuria steal Fighter of the Year from Alex Pereira with UFC 308 KO of Max Holloway?

It felt like Alex Pereira had Fighter of the Year in the bag until Ilia Topuria’s incredible knockout of Max Holloway at UFC 308. We discuss on “Spinning Back Clique.”

[autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] has had quite the year in 2024.

Not only did the undefeated featherweight become UFC champion and complete a successful title defense, but he did so by cleanly taking out two of the greatest featherweights of all time in Max Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski.

Topuria’s feat at Saturday’s UFC 308 is not the only great run of 2024. UFC light heavyweight champion [autotag]Alex Pereria[/autotag] has completed three title defenses, stopping Jamahal Hill, Jiri Prochazka, and Khalil Rountree Jr – all under relative short-notice or unideal circumstances.

So this leaves the question: Did Topuria do enough this past Saturday to surpass Pereira in the Fighter of the Year discussion for 2024?

MMA Junkie’s Brian “Goze” Garcia, Dan Tom, Danny Segura, and host “Gorgeous” George discuss Topuria’s big win, along with his standing on Fighter of the Year.

Watch their discussion in the video above, and don’t miss this week’s complete episode of “Spinning Back Clique” below on YouTube.

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Sean Shelby’s Shoes: What’s next for Ilia Topuria after UFC 308 title defense?

The Ilia Topuria era is officially underway after his UFC 308 knockout of Max Holloway: Who is most capable giving him his first loss?

(ALSO SEE: Sean Shelby’s Shoes: What’s next for Max Holloway after UFC 308 title-fight loss?)

[autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] backed up all his talk prior to UFC 308 when he went into the octagon and became the first man to knock out Max Holloway.

After taking the belt from Alexander Volkanovski in February, Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) took out another all-time great featherweight in his first defense when he put down Holloway (26-8 MMA, 22-8 UFC) with punches in the third round of the headlining contest at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.

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Topuria is still just 27, but already he has put himself on the map with a remarkable career inside the octagon, and if his words remain true going forward, this is only just the start of what could be a special run.

What’s next for Topuria in his second defense at 145 pounds? Watch the video above for thoughts and analysis on his future after UFC 308.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.

Alexander Volkanovski says UFC 308 cage entry was his idea, willing to fight Ilia Topuria in Spain

Following UFC 308, Alexander Volkanovski explains why he chose to enter the cage and gives his thoughts on a rematch vs. Ilia Topuria.

[autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag] calls next.

Minutes after UFC 308‘s main event Saturday saw [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] become the first to knock out Max Holloway, the previous featherweight titleholder was in the cage.

Volkanovski (26-4 MMA, 13-3 UFC) said the idea to be seen next to the freshly victorious Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) was all his. He wanted the world to know who is the next 145-pound title challenger.

“I told the UFC I wanted to go in,” Volkanovski told ESPN. “They let me do that, so I appreciate that. Dana (White), Hunter (Campbell), thank you. At the same time, he goes, ‘I want to let him (have his moment. I’ll give him his moment. I’ll be respectful because his family is in there.’ I’m like, ‘Mate, I’ve been respectful. I’ve been getting along. I’ve been hugging his family the whole time. We’re good. I’m going to go in there, give him his moment, but at the same time let everyone know what we’re doing, just build that fight up a little bit, just enough to let everyone know I’m next. But at the same time, give him his respect.'”

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With the UFC headed to Sydney in February and potentially debuting in Spain later in 2025, it’s unclear where the promotion will place this rematch. Whether it’s home soil or enemy territory, you can count Volkanovski in.

“I’d love it,” Volkanovski said. “They’re talking about Madrid, the stadium and all that. Of course. Everyone knows I don’t mind being in enemy territories. I think I’ll be well-loved anyway, maybe. I don’t know. I’m sure I’ll probably still get booed. At the same time, he deserves to fight where he wants to. It’s just the timing.”

According to comments made by Dana White after UFC 308, however, it does appear the rematch between Topuria and Volkanovski will indeed be the next fight.

Despite their trash talk in the lead-up to their first bout in February, which Topuria won by knockout, Volkanovski said there’s a lot of mutual respect underneath any fight promotion put forth by the champion.

“(The win over Holloway was) impressive,” Volkanovski said. “The fight was sort of going. I knew the first couple of rounds were going to be competitive. Then, I thought maybe Max would start using that experience and maybe start to slow Ilia. But Ilia ended up finding the finish in the third round which is impressive. No one has ever done that. He said he was going to do it in the first.

“But no matter what round you do it in, that’s impressive. Because no one has done that to Max. You’ve got to give all respect to Ilia to go out there and do that. I went in there, shook hands with the bloke and wanted to give him his moment, but let him know that I’m next. Let’s just find that day. … Nothing but respect for him and well done. But he’s a solid, dude, man. He’s a respectable dude.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.

UFC 308 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Ilia Topuria’s $42,000 leads card

Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway combined for $74,000 of the Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay for UFC 308.

ABU DHABI – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC 308 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $252,000.

The program, a comprehensive plan that includes outfitting requirements, media obligations and other items under the fighter code of conduct, replaces the previous payments made under the UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy.

UFC 308 took place at Etihad Arena on Yas Island. The main card aired on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN+

The full UFC 308 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag]: $42,000
def. [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag]: $32,000

[autotag]Khamzat Chimaev[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Robert Whittaker[/autotag]: $21,000

[autotag]Magomed Ankalaev[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Aleksandar Rakic[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Lerone Murphy[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Dan Ige[/autotag]: $16,000

[autotag]Shara Magomedov[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Armen Petrosyan[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Ibo Aslan[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Rafael Cerqueira[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Geoff Neal[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Rafael dos Anjos[/autotag]: $21,000

[autotag]Mateusz Rebecki[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Myktybek Orolbai[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Abus Magomedov[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Brunno Ferreira[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Kennedy Nzechukwu[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Chris Barnett[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Farid Basharat[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Victor Hugo[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Ismail Naurdiev[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Bruno Silva[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Rinat Fakhretdinov[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Carlos Leal[/autotag]: $4,000

Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Venum’s multi-year sponsorship with the UFC, fighters are paid based on their total number of UFC bouts, as well as Zuffa-era WEC fights (January 2007 and later) and Zuffa-era Strikeforce bouts (April 2011 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $4,000 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,500; 6-10 bouts get $6,000; 11-15 bouts earn $11,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $16,000; and 21 bouts and more get $21,000. Additionally, champions earn $42,000 while title challengers get $32,000.

In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-30 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.

Full 2024 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

Year-to-date total: $6,896,000
2023 total: $8,188,000
2022 total: $8,351,500
2021 total: $6,167,500
Program-to-date total: $29,633,000

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.

Ilia Topuria unofficially gives himself new ‘BMF’ champ status after UFC 308 KO of Max Holloway

After stopping Max Holloway, Ilia Topuria declared himself the UFC’s new “BMF” champion.

ABU DHABI – [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] not only retained his status as UFC featherwieght champion, but he also won a new title, according to him.

Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) became the first man to stop former UFC champion Max Holloway (26-8 MMA, 22-8 UFC), as he knocked out the gritty Hawaiian in the main event of Saturday’s UFC 308. Holloway entered the 145-pound championship fight coming off a knockout win over Justin Gaethje, which won him the BMF (Baddest Motherf*cker) title.

The BMF belt was not officially on the line, but Topuria doesn’t care either way. He sees himself as a two-belt title holder.

“I never understand why they didn’t put the BMF title on the line,” Topuria told reporters at the UFC 308 post-fight press conference. “It has to be on the line since the first day. But hey, don’t want to make it official? I’m going to make it official by myself.

“Now I’m the new ‘Baddest Motherf*ker’ world champion.”

Although he shocked many with his performance, Topuria expected to stop Holloway. The only thing he did find surprising is that when he ponted to the ground, Holloway didn’t engage with him in his signature brawl.

“That surprised me that I pointed to the ground, and he didn’t stop in the middle of the octagon,” Topuria said. “He started some bullsh*t like this. You called yourself the bull. When you called me out, you said, ‘I’m the bull and ‘The Matador’ is running from me.’ You never see a bull doing this. That surprised me a little bit, so I had to change the game plan a little bit. But at the end of the day, I get the knockout.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.

Dana White indicates Ilia Topuria vs. Alexander Volkanovski 2 likely next UFC featherweight title fight

How do you say no to Alexander Volkanovski is the question Dana White asked the media after UFC 308.

ABU DHABI – How does the UFC say no to [autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag]?

That’s the question Dana White posed to the media after the conclusion of UFC 308 on Saturday at Etihad Arena.

Of course, White is talking about the next title challenger for UFC featherweight champion [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag], who furthered his stardom with a massive knockout of Max Holloway in the card’s main event.

After the fight, Volkanovski (26-4 MMA, 13-3 UFC) was brought in the cage as UFC commentator Daniel Cormier interviewed Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC). The move isn’t always done by the promotion, but is usually indicative of its future plans when it does occur.

“Volkanovski’s one of those guys,” White told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a post-fight news conference. “We’re not going to say no to Volkanovski.”

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The two top featherweights collided back in February and Topuria won by knockout. Volkanovski has not fought since and is currently on a two-fight skid, given that he previously was knocked out in a lightweight title challenge vs. Islam Makhachev.

While other top contenders, such as UFC 308 backup fighter Diego Lopes, have emerged in the title conversation, White indicated Volkanovski’s past as a company man, willing to bail the promotion out of difficult situations has nudged the UFC in his favor.

“He’s been that guy for us any time we needed him,” White said. “He’s been on this run like (Israel) Adesanya and like Alex (Pereira) is on right now. When things don’t go our way and you’ve got to call a guy, Volkanovski has always been that guy. He really was. For him to ask for it, I don’t think anybody in this room is going, ‘Oh, this is ridiculous’ or crazy. Who wouldn’t want to see it again?”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.

UFC 308 results: Ilia Topuria becomes first to knock out Max Holloway, open to granting Volkanovski rematch

Ilia Topuria delivered on his promise of taking out Max Holloway at UFC 308.

ABU DHABI – [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] delivered on his promise of taking out [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag] at UFC 308.

Featherweight champion Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) became the first fighter to knock out Holloway (26-8 MMA, 22-8 UFC) when he put his lights out at the 1:34 mark of Round 3. The featherweight title bout was the UFC 308 main event at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

Just like Topuria promised, he pointed to the ground in the middle of the octagon, but Holloway didn’t oblige. Holloway started his attack with a couple of kicks, as Topuria stalked him. Topuria landed a big combination, finding Holloway’s chin with a left hook. Topuria then mixed things up by taking Holloway down, but couldn’t keep him there. Topuria connected with a right, as he continued to head hunt. Holloway landed a nice teep, followed by a one-two down the middle. With seconds remaining in the round, Topuria dropped Holloway with a left hook and tried to take his back.

In Round 2, Holloway pumped out his jab, while Topuria lunged forward with combinations. Topuria continued to find Holloway’s chin, but Holloway would turn away from his punches without allowing him to connect clean. Holloway landed two counter left hooks, followed by a big right. Both men were having success on the feet, but neither able to stun the other. Holloway capped off Round 2 with his signature spinning heel kick to the body.

Holloway started Round 3 off with a body kick, then a push kick to the thigh. Topuria landed a nice left hook, but Holloway stumbled him with a leg kick. Topuria charged at Holloway with a big overhand right which stunned him, then a left hook which sent him crashing to the canvas. A few follow up shots were able to put Holloway out cold.

Topuria was greeted by Alexander Volkanovski in the octagon – the man he knocked out to claim the featherweight title at UFC 298. Topuria paid Volkanovski respect, and said he’s willing to grant him a rematch.

Up-to-the-minute UFC 308 results include:

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.

Ilia Topuria def. Max Holloway at UFC 308: Best photos from Abu Dhabi

Check out the best photos from Ilia Topuria’s third-round knockout win over Max Holloway at UFC 308 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

Check out the best photos from [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag]’s third-round knockout win over [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag] at UFC 308 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. (Photos by Craig Kidwell, special to MMA Junkie; MMA Junkie; UFC)

UFC 308: Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Saturday’s UFC 308 odds between Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway, with MMA picks and predictions.

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In a 5-round featherweight championship bout in the main event, Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway meet Saturday at UFC 308 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s UFC odds around the UFC 308: Topuria vs. Holloway odds, and make our expert picks and predictions.

The prelims begin at 10 a.m. ET on ESPN+, and the main card begins at 2 p.m. ET on pay-per-view.

Records: Topuria (15-0-0) | Holloway (26-7-0)

Topuria puts his strap on the line for the 1st time after claiming the featherweight championship against Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298. He has won all 7 fights at the UFC level, with just 2 of those bouts going the distance. He has 4 KO/TKO wins, including the title bout against Volkanovski, while submitting Bryce Mitchell at UFC 282.

Holloway has won 3 straight fights since a unanimous-decision loss to Volkanovski in a title fight at UFC 276. He has back-to-back KO/TKO wins over Justin Gaethje and Chan Sung Jung, but prior to that he had 8 consecutive decisions, going 4-4 in those fights.

The Georgian champ is 5 years younger than “Blessed”, although the latter has a 7.17-to-4.40 significant strikes landed per minute advantage over Topuria. The significant strikes accuracy percentage is basically even, with Holloway at 49.64% and Topuria at 49.40%.

In the ground game, Topuria is very good, posting a 1.92 takedown average, while he is 56.25% in takedown accuracy percentage. The champ has a sparkling 1.28 submission average, to just 0.32 for Holloway.

Watch this card with ESPN+ by signing up here.

UFC 308: Topuria vs. Holloway odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of UFC odds. Lines last updated at 9:44 a.m. ET.

  • Fight result (2-way line): Topuria -275 (bet $275 to win $100) | Holloway +225 (bet $100 to win $225)
  • Over/Under: 4.5 rounds (Over +100 | Under -130)
  • Will the fight go the distance? (Yes +120 | No -165)

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UFC 308: Topuria vs. Holloway picks and predictions

Fight result (2-way line or moneyline)

Topuria (-275) will set you back nearly 3 times your potential return, and there is no way to justify betting that straight up. If you were to toss the Georgian champ into a multi-leg parlay, it could be excused betting such a high number.

However, let’s get a little more specific. Holloway (+225) has ended up going the distance in 8 of the past 10 fights. While Topuria has had just 1 fight go the distance in the past 6 outings, this is a huge step up in opponent.

Look for TOPURIA BY POINTS (+250) to get the job done in a knockdown, drag-out fight.

Over/Under (O/U)

YES: FIGHT TO GO THE DISTANCE (+120) is worth a look at plus-money.

Topuria has ended up fighting into the 2nd round in each of the past 4 outings, while winning via unanimous decision against Josh Emmett in the main event June 24, 2023, in a Fight Night.

For Holloway, he has ended up going the distance 8 times in the past 10 outings, and the Gaethje knockout at UFC 300 came at 4:59 of Round 5, just a single second short of going the distance.

Visit MMA Junkie for more fight news and analysis.

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and us on Facebook.

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UFC 308: Topuria vs. Holloway watch-along live stream with MMA Junkie Radio

Join MMA Junkie Radio’s “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” for a live-streamed watch-along of UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi.

UFC 308 goes down Saturday night with perhaps the biggest title fight of the year, and MMA Junkie Radio’s “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” will host a live-streamed watch-along right here at 10 a.m. ET. for the full card.

In the headliner, featherweight champion [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] (15-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) puts his title on the line for the first time when he takes on former champ [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag] (26-7 MMA, 22-7 UFC). In the co-feature, [autotag]Khamzat Chimaev[/autotag] (13-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) meets former champ [autotag]Robert Whittaker[/autotag] (27-7 MMA, 17-5 UFC) to determine the next top contender at middleweight.

UFC 308 takes place at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi and streams on ESPN+ pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN+.

Below is the complete UFC 308 lineup:

MAIN CARD (Pay-per-view, 2 p.m. ET)

  • Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway – for featherweight title
  • Khamzat Chimaev vs. Robert Whittaker
  • Magomed Ankalaev vs. Aleksandar Rakic
  • Dan Ige vs. Lerone Murphy
  • Shara Magomedov vs. Armen Petrosyan

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 10 a.m. ET)

  • Ibo Aslan vs. Raffael Cerqueira
  • Rafael dos Anjos vs. Geoff Neal
  • Myktybek Orolbai vs. Mateusz Rebecki
  • Brunno Ferreira vs. Abus Magomedov
  • Chris Barnett vs. Kennedy Nzechukwu
  • Farid Basharat vs. Victor Hugo
  • Ismail Naurdiev vs. Bruno Silva
  • Rinat Fakhretdinov vs. Carlos Leal

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.