Tag: Max Holloway

Watch full ‘UFC 308: Topuria vs. Holloway’ pre-fight press conference video

The entire UFC 308 main card, including Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway, will attend Thursday’s pre-fight press conference in Abu Dhabi.

ABU DHABI – The UFC 308 pre-fight press conference took place Thursday, and you can watch it all in the video above.

The press conference took place at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, which also hosts Saturday’s fight card on ESPN+ pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN+.

UFC 308 is built around a highly anticipated featherweight championship fight. [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] puts gold on the line for the first time vs. former titleholder [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag] in the main event. And in the co-headliner, former middleweight champion [autotag]Robert Whittaker[/autotag] clashes with undefeated [autotag]Khamzat Chimaev[/autotag] (11-5 MMA, 7-3 UFC).

Here’s what you need to know about the UFC 308 press conference.

What time does the UFC 308 press conference start?

The UFC 307 press conference starts at 8:30 a.m. ET/5:30 a.m. PT, which is 4:30 p.m. local time in Abu Dhabi.

Who’s taking part in the UFC 308 press conference?

The 10 fighters scheduled for the main card bouts are slated to participate in the UFC 308 press conference: Topuria, Holloway, Whittaker, Chimaev, Lerone Murphy, Dan Ige, Magomed Ankalaev, Aleksandar Rakic, Shara Magomedov and Armen Petrosyan.

UFC CEO Dana White will oversee the UFC 308 pre-fight press conference.

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

UFC 308 preview: Can Ilia Topuria KO Max Holloway? Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev title eliminator?

We preview the UFC 308 card on the latest episode of “Spinning Back Clique.”

Finally! It’s UFC 308 fight week, which features a highly anticipated championship fight between [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] and [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag].

This UFC featherweight title fight has a lot at stake given the two fighters’ trajectories, with Topuria being undefeated and coming off a wild knockout victory over Alexander Volkanovski, and Holloway already having legendary status and coming off a 2024 Knockout of the Year candidate over Justin Gaethje at UFC 300. UFC 308 also hosts several other key bouts outside the main event, including a middleweight clash between [autotag]Robert Whittaker[/autotag] and [autotag]Khamzat Chimaev[/autotag], the return of [autotag]Shara Magomedov[/autotag], and more.

Can Topuria be the first ever to knockout Holloway, or will Holloway reclaim his title? Should the winner of Whittaker vs. Chimaev get the next title shot at 185 pounds?

MMA Junkie’s Brian “Goze” Garcia, Dan Tom, Mike Bohn, Danny Segura, and host “Gorgeous” George preview the upcoming UFC pay-per-view this Saturday in Abu Dhabi.

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

https://youtube.com/live/cbzHrkO75mA

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Dustin Poirier: Ilia Topuria’s KO prediction of Max Holloway at UFC 308 is ‘almost impossible’

Dustin Poirier couldn’t stop Max Holloway when they fought, so he struggles to see Ilia Topuria doing living up to his KO call at UFC 308.

[autotag]Dustin Poirier[/autotag] is one of the most prolific knockout artists in UFC history. And if he couldn’t shut [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag]’s light off, he struggles to see [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] doing so at UFC 308.

Topuria (15-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) has been nothing short of adamant he will be the first to stop Holloway (26-7 MMA, 22-7 UFC) with strikes in MMA competition when they meet in Saturday’s featherweight title headliner at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN+). He has promise to turn the lights of on “Blessed” at every turn, which is a bold statement given Holloway has the most fights in octagon history without being put down.

Poirier, who was one of the few fighters to stagger Holloway in the octagon in their epic Fight of the Year candidate at UFC 236 in April 2019, struggles to see Topuria doing what so many others before him couldn’t.

“To go out there and one-punch Max is going to be almost impossible, I think,” Poirier said on “The Bohnfire” podcast with MMA Junkie senior reporter Mike Bohn. “It can happen, for sure. But I don’t think it will.”

Poirier will be working as a desk analyst for UFC 308 alongside Brendan Fitzgerald, Chael Sonnen and Din Thomas. He is leaning toward Holloway leaving with the belt in the highly anticipated encounter, but said it would be a tremendous statement from Topuria if he can get the job done.

“This is a big test,” Poirier said. “If he goes in there and beats Max or lasts with Max in the volume game and outpoints him, outfights him technically on the feet – that’s going to say so much about Ilia and where he’s going to go.

“I can’t pick against Max. I could see Topuria winning, but just Max, the experience and the championship fights he’s been in.”

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

Ilia Topuria doubts Max Holloway will challenge him to brawl at UFC 308: ‘He’s already backing out’

Ilia Topuria doesn’t think Max Holloway will invite him to the middle of the cage at UFC 308.

ABU DHABI – UFC featherweigth champion [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] is challenging [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag] to meet in the middle of the octagon, point to the ground, and throw down in his signature style. However, he doubts that will happen.

Topuria (15-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) makes his first title defense this Saturday in the main event of UFC 308. He takes on former champion Holloway (26-7 MMA, 22-7 UFC) in a heated and highly anticipated matchup. Both Topuria and Holloway teased of a brawl in the middle of the octagon, but Holloway said at Wednesday’s media day that he’s not deserving of a vintage, Holloway shootout.

“To me, I don’t think he deserves,” Holloway said. “You have to earn that, and I don’t think he’s deserved that right.”

Topuria responded by saying that Holloway is actually wary of his knockout power, and that the deserving argument is an excuse to avoid a brawl.

“He’s already backing out,” Topuria said at the UFC 308 media day. “If he brawls with me, he’s already knocked out. He’s already knocked out.

“If I were another type of fighter like Yair Rodriguez or Brian Ortega, he’d say, ‘Of course, I’ll throw down for a few seconds. It’s no big deal.’ He says he’s running a big risk, but what risk is he running? The only thing that makes him relevant is the BMF, which he’s not event putting on the line. I’m the one that’s risking everything. I’m the one that’s putting this belt on the line. I’m the one risking it all. And even then, he doesn’t want to do it. Why? Ask him. Go slide a note under his door.”

Holloway also accused Topuria of being a copycat to Conor McGregor, to which Topuria also had a response.

“He doesn’t even know what to say anymore,” Topuria said. “Why doesn’t he talk about what we’re here to do? Which is the fight. That’s because he doesn’t see any flaws i me. He doesn’t know where to grab from. He knows I’m much better than him, and now he has to resort to other things, just like when Conor (McGregor) was saying I wasn’t Spanish. Because I don’t have any flaws as a fighter, and I’m much better than them, they go to that. But we’ll see on Saturday, he shows up, and I’m shutting his mouth.”

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

UFC 308 ‘Embedded,’ No. 3: ‘Best Khamzat Chimaev’

Khamzat Chimaev is a man of few quiet but meaningful words in the third episode of UFC 308 “Embedded.”

The UFC is back in Abu Dhabi for UFC 308, and the popular “Embedded” fight week video series is here to document what’s happening behind the scenes.

UFC 308 (pay-per-view, ESPN+) takes place Saturday at Etihad Arena on Yas Island.

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.

The third episode of “Embedded” follows the featured fighters while they get ready for fight week. Here is the UFC’s description of the episode from YouTube:

Magomed Ankalaev and Shara Magomedov hit pads; Athletes are welcomed to Abu Dhabi with a display of traditional music and arts; UFC 308 athletes begin check-ins for fight week; Khamzat Chimaev has a training session with his teammates.

Previous UFC 308 ‘Embedded’ episodes

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

Climent coaches: Ilia Topuria would ‘explode’ Max Holloway’s head if he points to brawl at UFC 308

Climent Club coaches don’t advise Max Holloway to do his signature showdown against Ilia Topuria at UFC 308.

[autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag]’s head coaches don’t think it’s a good idea for [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag] to try his signature showdown with the UFC featherweight champion.

Jorge and Agustin Climent, owners of Climent Club in Spain, are confident that not only will Topuria (15-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) get his hand raised at UFC 308, but that he can become the first man to knock out Holloway (26-7 MMA, 22-7 UFC), especially if the Hawaiian points to the ground and welcomes a brawl.

“If he’s going to have a showdown with Ilia, Max needs to put on a motorcycle helmet because Ilia cracks. His hands are dynamite,” Jorge told MMA Junkie in Spanish.

That confidence was also backed up by his brother.

“He has it tough, yeah. That poor guy needs to bring a helmet,” Agustin said. “Holloway hits hard, but Ilia hits very, very hard. He’d explode his head if he connects on him. His power is incredible, and he’s getting more and more dangerous.”

Holloway has fought many world-class power punchers, and yet, in 33 fights, he’s never been knocked out. Holloway has fought the likes of Justin Gaethje, Dustin Poirier, Conor McGregor, Jose Aldo, Yair Rodriguez, Charles Oliveira, and many other striking experts.

The Climent brothers are well aware of what Topuria is up against, and even then they have all the confidence their guy will get the stoppage win.

“Ilia can do the impossible, which is what he’s been doing up to now,” Agustin said.

Jorge added, “Normally people have their doubts, but us that know Ilia for 15 years, we know what he’s capable of, and we know what he’s going to do.”

Topuria is undefeated in his career, and has quickly become one of the best fighters today in just four years into his UFC career. Agustin believes Topuria, now 27, has entered a level that is unmatched today at 145 pounds.

“Ilia has been at a crazy level since before the Volkanovski fight, and he’s just maintaining that,” Agustin said. “But, yeah, he’s flying. He’s in his prime. If he were to fight Max Holloway when he fought Volkanovski, he would’ve beaten him up, and he beats him up now or the next month.”

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

Max Holloway before UFC 308: ‘Copycat’ Ilia Topuria trying to steal Conor McGregor’s aura

Max Holloway lays into UFC champ Ilia Topuria for trying to impersonate Conor McGregor ahead of their showdown in Abu Dhabi.

ABU DHABI – [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag] ripped UFC featherweight champion [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] for trying to impersonate Conor McGregor.

Holloway (26-7 MMA, 22-7 UFC) challenges Topuria (15-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) for the title in Saturday’s UFC 308 headliner at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi (pay-per-view, ESPN+).

Topuria has made some bold statements and not minced words when it comes to Holloway. However, “Blessed” is unfazed by the trash talk.

“I’m more confused about everything he’s saying,” Holloway told MMA Junkie and other reporters at Wednesday’s UFC 308 media day. “He’s talking about me not wanting to fight, me being forced to fight. He got me out here feeling like how he looked after my Gaethje fight, so it’s crazy.

“His mind is very interesting. But if that’s what it takes to be the best version of himself come Saturday night then so be it. He can talk all that talk he wants because at the end of the day, he still has to see me in three days.”

Topuria said he’ll challenge Holloway to his own game by pointing to the middle of the octagon for a throwdown in the first 10 seconds of the fight. Holloway isn’t buying Topuria’s claim and accuses “El Matador” of copying [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag]’s persona.

“It just makes no sense,” Holloway said. “To me, I don’t think he deserves – you’ve got to earn that right. I don’t think he deserves that right. I mean, you guys know the guy he’s copycatting. This guy is a copycat down to his tattoos, to his aura, to the way he’s approaching fights. The guy is a copycat. At the end of the day, I think you’ve got to earn that moment, and I believe he could have earned it with Josh Emmett.

“In their five-round war, Josh Emmett was trying to swing. If you guys go back to that fight and watch what happened, when Josh Emmett tried to swing, someone shot, and someone held someone down for the rest of the fight. So, I think the moment needs to be earned, and he’s just trying to steal stuff. He’s already trying to steal one person’s aura, and now he’s trying to steal somebody else’s thing.”

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

Ilia Topuria downplays Max Holloway calling himself best boxer in UFC, says it’s ‘kind of a shame’

Ilia Topuria considers Max Holloway a good striker overall but takes umbrage with “Blessed” calling himself the UFC’s best boxer specifically.

ABU DHABI – Featherweight champion [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] has an issue with [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag] calling himself the best boxer in the UFC.

Undefeated Topuria (15-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) will look to make his first title defense against former champ Holloway (26-7 MMA, 22-7 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC 308 main event at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi (pay-per-view, ESPN+).

Holloway famously shouted that he’s the best boxer in the UFC while piecing up Calvin Kattar in one of his most impressive career performances in January 2021. Topuria didn’t brand himself as the best but thinks Holloway is known more for his overall striking than boxing specifically.

“In reality, he’s a good striker,” Topuria told MMA Junkie and other reporters at Wednesday’s UFC 308 media day. “It’s not only boxer because calling himself the best boxer in the UFC is kind of a shame, because he’s not the best boxer in the UFC, but he’s a good striker. He has a lot of experience. He’s very patient inside the octagon.

“But everyone is good when they can develop their style in the octagon and someone is not putting the pressure on him. So, on Saturday night, he’s going to feel something that he’s never felt with any other opponents that he had in the past. The pressure he’s going to feel with me is going to be completely different.”

Topuria said he represents the new wave of talent in MMA whereas Holloway hasn’t evolved in years.

“The way I apply the techniques and the skills to my opponent, the way I move my head, the way I dominate the octagon, that’s the difference,” Topuria said. “What evolution do you see in Max Holloway in every fight? Maybe only in striking.

“But you don’t see him getting better in wrestling or on the ground, you don’t see him trying to new things. Only in the striking. This is what I’m talking about. I try to evolve the game all the time, not only in the striking. With the wrestling, the ground game, everything.”

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

Yair Rodriguez sees Ilia Topuria losing featherweight title at UFC 308: ‘Max Holloway has more tools’

Yair Rodriguez gives his prediction for the UFC 308 main event between Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway.

ABU DHABI – [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag] has the MMA world split as to who will leave UFC 308 as champion.

Former interim UFC featherweight champion [autotag]Yair Rodriguez[/autotag] gave his thoughts and prediction on the highly anticipated championship bout Saturday night at Etihad Arena. Rodriguez (18-5 MMA, 10-4 UFC), who’s fought Holloway in the past, believes the Hawaiian will reclaim his belt and take the undefeated status from Topuria.

“It’s going to be an interesting match,” Rodriguez told MMA Junkie on Tuesday. “I think Max Holloway has more tools, and he’s a super smart fighter. Also, Topuria is a real power puncher. I just think if Max Holloway is smart enough to keep his distance, he can win the fight. My prediction is Max Holloway.”

Earlier this year, Topuria had plenty to say about Rodriguez and vice versa. Topuria questioned Rodriguez’s skillset, and Rodriguez fired back a few verbal shots his way.

“I don’t have a relationship with him at all,” Rodriguez said. “Yeah, some words have been said, and I hope he’s ready to back them up, because I’m ready.”

Rodriguez hasn’t fought since losing to Brian Ortega in February. He says he’s healthy and ready to return and just waiting on the green light from the promotion. There’s nothing official, but Rodriguez said the UFC has shown interest in having him fight in February in Mexico City.

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Overreaction Time: Jones vs. Ngannou WILL happen, UFC rankings useless, Sean O’Malley a fraud, more!

Check out the first episode of “Overreaction Time” as host Simon Samano and Farah Hannoun debate an array of topics in MMA.

The time for overreacting is here!

Check out the first episode of “Overreaction Time” as host Simon Samano and MMA Junkie reporter Farah Hannoun debate these “overreactions” on the following topics in mixed martial arts:

  • Make no mistake: [autotag]Francis Ngannou[/autotag] is the No. 1 heavyweight in the world.
  • Because the UFC can’t say no to money, we WILL get Francis Ngannou vs. [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag] next year.
  • [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag] is the best UFC fight for the rest of the year.
  • The UFC should just get rid of the official rankings altogether.
  • [autotag]Sean O’Malley[/autotag] getting an immediate title rematch would be ridiculous.
  • Sean O’Malley was a fraudulent UFC champion.
  • [autotag]Jamahal Hill[/autotag] needs to keep [autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag]’s name out of his mouth.
  • The UFC would be foolish not to book [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Jorge Masvidal[/autotag] early next year.

Watch the full episode in the video above.