Tag: UFC 308

Ilia Topuria: Conor McGregor ‘doesn’t deserve to share the octagon with me’ right now

Ilia Topuria has moved on from the Conor McGregor fight – for now.

[autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] has moved on from the [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag] fight – for now.

Featherweight champion Topuria (15-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) has long expressed interest in fighting the sport’s biggest star, but with McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) yet to return, “El Matador” is starting to lose interest.

McGregor was scheduled to return from a three-year layoff against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in June, but withdrew after breaking his pinky toe. McGregor is eyeing a December return, but UFC CEO Dana White isn’t as hopeful.

“I wanted it before, but right now he seems to be retired,” Topuria told MMA Junkie. “For how long he didn’t fight? For three or four years? Something like that. Once I’m going to see him back in the game – because right now at this point, he doesn’t deserve to share the octagon with me. I’m the world champion. He was, but right now he’s nobody. He’s not even ranked. So if he comes back, he puts himself into the rankings, why not?”

Topuria makes his first title defense against Max Holloway in the UFC 308 headliner, which takes place Oct. 26 at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+).

With the likes of bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley aspiring to fight him, Topuria says he has plenty of big matchups on the horizon.

“At this point, it’s like I have bigger fights ahead,” Topuria said. “The fight with Sean O’Malley is bigger, the fight with Max Holloway is bigger, the fight with Islam (Makhachev) is bigger. Right now, Conor doesn’t represent anything else than drugs and alcohol.”

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

Ilia Topuria says he would beat Sean O’Malley, Max Holloway in same night: ‘They both suck’

Ilia Topuria is more than willing to give Sean O’Malley a chance to become a two-division UFC champion.

[autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] is more than willing to give [autotag]Sean O’Malley[/autotag] a chance to become a two-division UFC champion.

Ahead of his scheduled bantamweight title defense against Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 306 on Sept. 14 in Las Vegas, O’Malley (18-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC) stated, if victorious, he is interested in moving up to featherweight to challenge the winner of Topuria (15-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) vs. Max Holloway, who meet for the featherweight strap at UFC 308 on Oct. 26 in Abu Dhabi.

Topuria, 27, said he’d gladly accept that matchup if presented, and like has so boldly predicted for his clash with Holloway, he thinks O’Malley would be light work.

“When he pronounce those kind of things like, ‘If I win,’ it’s because he’s not very confident about himself,” Topuria told MMA Junkie. “First of all, he has a very tough matchup ahead. If he does it, why not? Why not? I would love to have that fight. It’s like, thank you God. For everyone it’s going to be so huge. Like, ‘Ilia is fighting Max or he’s fighting Sean O’Malley.’ But in reality, I know that they both suck. I can do with them whatever I want to do. I can do it with both of them. I can beat them both in the same night. No problem.”

O’Malley is just the latest in a long line of names who have expressed a desire to chase title glory in two weight classes. Topuria has those ambitions himself, he said, but wants to wait until the timing is right go after the lightweight strap.

“To be honest I could do it after the Volkanovski fight, but I decided to keep fighting in 145 and to defend my belt,” Topuria said. “Whenever it comes, I will be ready. After this one, after the fight with Max Holloway once I knock him out, maybe the UFC will call me and tell me that they want me to move up to 155, and I will be very happy with that decision. If not, I will keep defending my belt, keep doing my job. If anyone wants to test himself, I will be there. In 145, 155, 170 – I don’t care. I’m a fighter. And I’m the best fighter in the world. I’m not the average level of fighter.”

If reigning 155-pound champion Islam Makhachev is still the man in that division if the time comes for Topuria to add 10 pounds to his frame, he said his level of confidence in that fight – like all others – would be quite high.

“I respect Makhachev,” Topuria said. “I know what it takes to get inside that cage. I know all the sacrifices a person has to make to go inside that octagon. I respect him, but there’s levels. I feel I represent the new generation of mixed martial arts. I bring a fight style that no one has, and no one had. I’m just improving the game. I’m just the new face of the game. It’s just a matter of time until everyone will realize this.”

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

Ilia Topuria: Max Holloway ‘such an easy matchup,’ will get KO’d in first round at UFC 308

Ilia Topuria knows the world won’t believe it until they see it, but the champ is certain he will be the first to knock out Max Holloway.

[autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] knows the world won’t believe it until they see it, but the UFC featherweight champ is certain he will become the first to knock out [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag] in MMA competition.

Topuria (15-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) has boldly claimed he will crack the legendary chin of Holloway (26-7 MMA, 22-7 UFC) ever since he won gold from Alexander Volkanovski with a second-round knockout at UFC 298 in February. He will now get the chance to prove it when they meet for his belt in the UFC 308 headliner, which takes place Oct. 26 at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+).

Holloway officially owns the record for most fights in the octagon without being knocked down, though he admits Justin Gaethje ended that run in their BMF title fight at UFC 300. However, the stats didn’t count it as one, but Topuria said that won’t last much longer. He knows many, including his fellow fighters, are doubting his incredible confidence, but said the world will become believers once his performance unfolds.

“(Fighters picking against me) don’t know anything – they’re all going to be so surprised when I knock him out,” Topuria told MMA Junkie. “When I see that kind of videos with people giving their opinions and saying that Max is going to knock (me) out or he’s going to win that match. I just realize that they don’t know anything about the sport. They don’t know anything. Or maybe they don’t want to give me the credit for everything I have done in this sport and how good I am in reality. Maybe it’s that.”

Holloway is one of the most beloved fighters in UFC history, and that degree of fanfare can sometimes skew perceptions. Topuria has the respect of the oddsmakers, however, because he opened as the betting favorite ahead of UFC 308.

Part of the reason Holloway has such a loyal following is because of his can’t-miss fighting style and memorable moments, such as when he pointed to the octagon canvas prior to knocking out Gaethje in the final second for the Knockout of the Year frontrunner.

Topuria warns “Blessed” not to play that game with him, though, because he predicts the results would be devastating.

“If he’s going to bring the same energy he brings in the last 10 seconds of every round when he does his (point to ground), I’m going to knock him out in the first round,” Topuria said. “Because in the moment he’s going to stop in the middle and start to exchange the punches with me. I recommend him to use a helmet, because he’s going to need.

“If he does it, even better for me. Maybe I’m going to point to the ground. Maybe I will do all that because I’m going to feel so comfortable in that fight because I’m telling you, every time I see him fight I’m like, ‘Everyone is going to be surprised when I knock him out,’ because I see him as like such an easy matchup for me. If he thinks that I’m not right, prove me wrong. We’re going to be in the same octagon Oct. 26. Prove me wrong.”

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

Ilia Topuria confirms Max Holloway’s BMF title not at stake in UFC 308 headliner

Ilia Topuria has confirmed Max Holloway’s BMF title won’t be up for grabs in the UFC 308 main event, and he’s accepting of that.

[autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] has confirmed [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag]’s BMF title won’t be up for grabs in the UFC 308 main event, and he’s accepting of that.

Before the matchup between Topuria (15-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) and Holloway (26-7 MMA, 22-7 UFC) was signed and official for the Oct. 26 headliner at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, the reigning featherweight champion said he wanted the BMF strap, which “Blessed” won with an epic fifth-round finish of Justin Gaethje at UFC 300, to be at stake.

But then the negotiations happened, and Topuria said the conclusion was reached that his belt will be the only one wrapped around the winner on fight night.

“No, the BMF title is not going to be on the line,” Topuria told MMA Junkie on Wednesday. “To be honest, I don’t care. They took that decision and at the end of the day it’s like, when I’m going to beat him he can’t say he’s a BMF or however they want to call him. I’m just concentrating on my title defense and that’s it. I don’t care about anything else.”

Topuria refused to hypothesize exactly why the BMF belt was put to the side for this fight. He said it was a promotional decision, and once it was made he shifted his focus on the contest itself.

The confidence from Topuria since he won the featherweight title with a second-round knockout of Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 in February has been unmatched, and he said immediately post-fight that he would be the first to knock out Holloway in MMA competition.

Topuria isn’t backing down from that prediction, and in fact, he’s doubling down on it.

“No doubt about that,” Topuria said. “What makes me so excited about this fight is that no one could knock him out. There’s no way I’m not going to knock him out. I will be the first one to knock him out because every time I watch him fight I’m like, ‘I’m way better than him.’ If you put me with him in kickboxing or boxing, even in a chess match, I beat him. Whatever you want to do, boy, I can beat you.

“I respect Max Holloway. He’s been a great fighter. He gave us great fights. He seems to be a good person. I respect him. But I don’t know, I feel like I’m way better than him everywhere. It’s going to be a complete masterpiece. You will see. I will knock him out in the first round. There is no doubts about that. It’s going to be much easier than with Volkanovski, because I considered Volkanovski is way more difficult matchup for me, and he beat that guy three times.”

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

Former UFC champ Jamahal Hill claps back at Magomed Ankalaev: ‘You’re light work for me’

Jamahal Hill went off on Magomed Ankalaev.

Former UFC light heavyweight champion [autotag]Jamahal Hill[/autotag] went off on [autotag]Magomed Ankalaev[/autotag].

Ankalaev (19-1-1 MMA, 10-1-1 UFC) poked fun at Hill’s reaction toward the title fight announcement between light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira and Khalil Rountree, which headlines UFC 307 on Oct. 5.

“Why is Jamahal Hill crying? Pereira just made you sleep, get back in the like and work your way up or be ready for Abu Dhabi because Rakic may pull out.”

Ankalaev was passed up for a title shot and booked against Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 308 Oct. 26 in Abu Dhabi. Hill (12-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) thinks Ankalaev is trying to win the fans over by going after him.

“I made a reaction video about the Khalil Rountree and Alex Pereira title fight announcement, and there was one guy in particular who, yeah, I will agree he’s been given the run-around by the business right, and I’m assuming now he’s learned his lesson now to watch his mouth because as you know, we talking about Mrs. – I ain’t even going to – little ‘Frudamed Gankalaev,’ ankle grabber, whatever you want to call him,” Hill said on his YouTube channel. “This dude just can’t stop trying to clout chase in whatever way he can. Like, you fought to a draw, you had your chance of winning the title. Now, I am one of the people that agree that he should have been next in the title shot above Khalil Rountree, and I spoke on this.

“But for you to say I’m crying because I spoke on an obvious fact of the game that affects everybody in our weight class and things like that, I see what you tried to do, bro. You see that the whole fan base, they’re kind of against me, they kind of want to throw sh*t on me and sh*t like that. You think that you can get some cool points by jumping on that bandwagon and trying to call me out. Stop it, bro. Stop it, bro. I would expect a low IQ move like that from you, you know what I mean. You don’t want to say anything about the fight being announced because you’ve now learned your lesson from the time whenever you lost, talking about you don’t want to fight for the UFC and how they have now smacked your hand and now you know to watch your mouth and stay in check.”

Hill warns Ankalaev that he will be ready to step in and face him if need be.

“They don’t even like you enough to let you fight (for the title) over the No. 8 dude,” Hill said. “So chill out, bro. Chill out trying to get cool points, bro. Focus on other sh*t. You’ve got a fight coming up against Rakic. Shout out to Rakic because he’s very well capable of putting your ass out. But best believe if my phone rings and they need somebody to come step in and handle you, bro, you’re light work for me. You’re light work for me, and I can’t wait to show that.”

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

Daniel Cormier questions if UFC protecting ‘golden goose’ Alex Pereira by avoiding Magomed Ankalaev

Daniel Cormier is surprised that Magomed Ankalaev didn’t get a title shot with Alex Pereira for his next fight.

[autotag]Daniel Cormier[/autotag] is surprised that [autotag]Magomed Ankalaev[/autotag] didn’t get a UFC light heavyweight title shot.

Instead, Anakalev (19-1-1 MMA, 10-1-1 UFC) drew Aleksandar Rakic (14-4 MMA, 6-3 UFC) on Oct. 26 at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi. That leaves light heavyweight champion [autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag] (11-2 MMA, 8-1 UFC) without an opponent, and Cormier wonders if booking Ankalaev against someone else was done on purpose – considering that “Poatan” has come up big for the promotion by saving UFC 300 and UFC 303 on short notice this year.

“I don’t know why Pereira is not fighting Ankalaev right now,” Cormier said on “Good Guy/Bad Guy” with Chael Sonnen. “I don’t know why that’s not happening. What I do like is that now Ankalaev has to pass another test because what the UFC is kind of saying here is, We’ve got this star, we know that this guy here could be a real potential issue for that star, they will fight eventually, but they will fight when we have no other option.’ I like it.”

Cormier explained that Pereira’s past few opponents have been dangerous strikers who don’t have the ability to mix it up like Ankalaev can.

“I don’t think you run the risk yet,” Cormier said. “I’m not saying Pereira can’t fight or beat Ankalaev. I just feel like it is a very, very difficult matchup, possibly the hardest matchup for him in the entire light heavyweight division. So I think he has to wait, or you get him in there with someone else right now that’s a striker because all these strikers he’s just knocking out left and right, and every time he does that his star just shines brighter.

“So maybe that is what happens for Alex Pereira, but I’m very rarely surprised when fights get announced. But I remember sitting in Manchester and they said UFC 308, and when I saw Rakic taking on Ankalaev, my jaw dropped. I was like, ‘They actually did it.’ Like sometimes you’ve got to protect that golden goose a little bit, and that’s kind of what it feels like.”

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

Magomed Ankalaev vs. Aleksandar Rakic sneaks its way into jam-packed UFC 308 lineup

As if Saturday’s announcement of the UFC 308 top trio of fights wasn’t enough, the promotion added another big-ticket bout.

As if Saturday’s announcement of the UFC 308 top trio of fights wasn’t enough, the promotion added another big-ticket bout.

[autotag]Magomed Ankalaev[/autotag] (19-1-1 MMA, 10-1-1 UFC) will take on [autotag]Aleksandar Rakic[/autotag] (14-4 MMA, 6-3 UFC) in a key light heavyweight bout on the main card at Etihad ARena in Abu Dhabi, UFC CEO Dana White announced.

UFC 308 (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+) is set for Oct. 26. with a featherweight title fight between champion Ilia Topuria and ex-champ Max Holloway in the main event. Plus, Khamzat Chimaev meets former middleweight titleholder Robert Whittaker and Ciryl Gane takes on Alexander Volkov.

Ankalaev lost his UFC debut in 2018 to Pau Craig with one second left in the third round. He hasn’t lost since. His only blemish since then was a split draw with Jan Blachowicz for the then-vacant 205-pound title in late 2022.

After a no contest with Johnny Walker in October 2023, he ran it back with the Brazilian in January and knocked him out in the second round for his first post-fight bonus in more than three years.

Rakic is badly in need of a rebound. After back-to-back wins over Anthony Smith and Thiago Santos, both former title challengers, he has consecutive TKO losses to former champs Jan Blachowicz and Jiri Prochazka, the most recent of which came in April. It’s the first two-fight skid of his career.

With the addition, the latest UFC 308 lineup now includes:

  • Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway – for featherweight title
  • Khamzat Chimaev vs. Robert Whittaker
  • Ciryl Gane vs. Alexander Volkov
  • Magomed Ankalaev vs. Aleksandar Rakic
  • Rinat Fakhretdinov vs. Nursulton Ruziboev
  • Dan Ige vs. Lerone Murphy
  • Kennedy Nzechukwu vs. Marcos Rogerio

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

Marcos Rogerio says he’s booked Kennedy Nzechukwu for UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi

Marcos Rogerio says he has his next fight booked, and that it’s between “two titans.”

[autotag]Marcos Rogerio[/autotag] says he has his next fight booked, and that it’s between “two titans.”

Rogerio (22-9-1 MMA, 11-7 UFC) on Friday posted on Instagram that he’s signed on to fight [autotag]Kennedy Nzechukwu[/autotag] (12-5 MMA, 6-5 UFC) in a heavyweight bout at UFC 308 (pay-per-view/ESPN/ESPN+), which takes place Oct. 26 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

A person with knowledge of the booking confirmed to MMA Junkie that Nzechukwu, who has been a light heavyweight for all but two bouts in his career, will move up to heavyweight for the fight. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the UFC has not formally announced the matchup.

“Get ready for an epic night at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi! On October 26th, two titans will meet in the Octagon! I’m ready to give my all and bring another victory! ✌🏾👊🏾🦍🇺🇸🇧🇷,” Rogerio posted.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C-LB64HAPqz

In February, Rogerio found himself in a unique position. When Justin Tafa had to pull out of their fight midweek, Tafa’s brother Junior stepped up to take the fight on short notice. Rogerio dispatched him with a second-round TKO after a barrage of leg kicks.

That got the Brazilian back on the plus side after a 33-second knockout loss to Derrick Lewis at UFC 291 when Lewis opened with a jumping knee. Still, Rogerio has won five of his past seven bouts.

Nzechukwu will be looking to get back in the win column after back-to-back losses. A year ago, he was knocked out in 82 seconds by Dustin Jacoby and had a three-fight winning streak of finishes snapped. He tried to rebound in March, but dropped a split decision to former interim light heavyweight title challenger Ovince Saint Preux.

With the addition, the UFC 308 lineup now includes:

  • Ciryl Gane vs. Alexander Volkov
  • Rinat Fakhretdinov vs. Nursulton Ruziboev
  • Dan Ige vs. Lerone Murphy
  • Kennedy Nzechukwu vs. Marcos Rogerio

Javier Mendez: Injured Islam Makhachev ‘definitely not’ fighting at UFC 308 in October

Javier Mendez says Islam Makhachev’s return won’t be going down at UFC 308 in October.

The odds looked slim for an October return for [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag], given his recent comments.

Now his coach, [autotag]Javier Mendez[/autotag], has lent much credence to that possibility.

Mendez, long-time coach of Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC), recently gave an update on his pupil’s hand injury. He said there’s still no timeline for his return, but what is certain is that his expected return against Arman Tsarykyan at UFC 308 on Oct. 26 in Abu Dhabi won’t be going down.

“Yes, he’s got a ligament injury, and he’s getting consultation from different doctors, and we’ll see what they say he has to do,” Mendez told Helen Yee. “But yeah, he’s not going to be able to train for a fight till probably late (November-December), or maybe January.

“It depends on what the UFC and him and can come up with, but he’s definitely not going to be able to fight in October like people are hoping.”

Although the event and date will have to change, Mendez is confident that Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) will remain as challenger, especially after Belal Muhammad won the welterweight title from Leon Edwards this past Saturday at UFC 304.

“I would think it would be the Arman rematch because I don’t see anything else in the horizon, being that Belal won the welterweight title,” Mendes said. “I seriously, seriously doubt that they would want to fight each other, so I think that changes the dynamic of going-for-two-belts situations.

“I think Arman was on point as far as the next opponent, anyway. That’s the fight I would want to happen, anyway.”

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

Dan Ige returns to fight undefeated Lerone Murphy at UFC 308

Dan Ige didn’t get Noche UFC as promised but has another pay-per-view event spot at UFC 308 against Lerone Murphy.

UFC 308 continues to take shape with the addition of an all-action featherweight matchup.

Coming off a same-day notice fight, [autotag]Dan Ige[/autotag] returns to face [autotag]Lerone Murphy[/autotag] at the Oct. 26 pay-per-view event at Etihad Arena in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. A person with knowledge of the situation confirmed the matchup to MMA Junkie following an initial report from MMA Fighting.

Ige (18-8 MMA, 10-7 UFC) stepped up to help save the day at UFC 303. On just a few hours’ notice, Ige filled in for Brian Ortega, who became too ill to compete against Diego Lopes. When the call came, Ige was getting a massage at home. He accepted the fight and immediately began preparing to head to T-Mobile Arena for a fight.

Although Lopes defeated Ige by unanimous decision, Ige was widely praised for filling in. Ige was then promised a spot on Noche UFC at Sphere in Las Vegas, but that did not happen. Instead, he will travel to Abu Dhabi to face an undefeated opponent.

Murphy (14-0-1 MMA, 6-0-1 UFC) will enter his second fight of 2024. In his first appearance, he kept his undefeated record alive in his first main event opportunity by defeating the always dangerous Edson Barboza at UFC Fight Night 241.

“The Miracle” has gone the distance in three straight fights, with his last finish coming in the second round against Makwar Amirkhani at UFC 267. Aside from a draw in his debut against Zubaira Tukhugov, Murphy has repeatedly earned victories as he climbs toward the division’s top.

With the addition, the current UFC 308 lineup includes:

  • Ciryl Gane vs .Alexander Volkov
  • Dan Ige vs. Lerone Murphy
  • Rinat Fakhretdinov vs. Nursulton Ruziboev

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