Tag: UFC 308

Coach Jorge Climent wants Ilia Topuria to challenge Islam Makhachev for UFC lightweight title

After UFC 308, Ilia Topuria’s coach Jorge Climent wants Islam Makhachev next for his pupil

[autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] and his team have had one of the greatest years in MMA history. That doesn’t mean they’re done chasing glory.

Following an impressive title defense at Saturday’s UFC 308 where Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) became the first person to knockout Max Holloway, his head coach [autotag]Jorge Climent[/autotag] wants him to take another leap in his fighting career.

For Climent, this means going up a weight class and challenging UFC lightweight champion [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag], who’s considered by many as the pound-for-pound best.

“The fight that I think would put Ilia at the very top without any discussion that he’s the best fighter in the world would be against Islam Makhachev,” Climent told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “The fight is against Islam because at this moment he’s a defending champion. I know Ilia has only defended his belt once and that can make it difficult to get the opportunity, unless you’re a Conor (McGregor). So I do think they’re going to give it to (Alexander) Volkanovski (next).”

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Climent sees Volkanovski as the next likely option for his pupil. But given the result of their first meeting back in February, he doesn’t see the former champ as the biggest challenge for Topuria.

Climent undoubtedly sees Makhachev as thee toughest test, but still with a clear path to victory.

“It’s our toughest fight,” Climent said. “However, after seeing how much success Volkanovski had against him the first fight, of course (we) see an opportunity. This is the toughest fight, without a doubt, but I like it.”

Many notable fighters called out Topuria following his historic title defense against Holloway, an indication to Climent that Topuria is quickly becoming one of the most important names in the sport.

“Paddy ‘The P*ssy’ made some comments. Dustin Poirier called him out. That means Ilia is doing big things because that only happens when you’re truly doing big things,” Climent said. “Everyone that wants a spotlight is calling him out, Conor and others. I still think the best fight is against (Makhachev) and the biggest money fight is against Conor, which I see a bit unlikely.”

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

After UFC 308, Tim Welch still believes Sean O’Malley would give Ilia Topuria problems

Tim Welch’s opinion on Sean O’Malley being a tough stylistic matchup for Ilia Topuria hasn’t changed after UFC 308.

[autotag]Tim Welch[/autotag]’s opinion of [autotag]Sean O’Malley[/autotag] being a tough stylistic matchup for featherweight champion [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] hasn’t changed after UFC 308.

Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) capped off a banner 2024 by knocking out another divisional great in Max Holloway this past Saturday in Abu Dhabi. Prior to UFC 308, Welch said he sees “flat-footed” Topuria as a more favorable matchup for O’Malley than Holloway. O’Malley (18-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) has since lost his bantamweight title to Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 306, but Welch still thinks a fight with Topuria could happen someday.

“I don’t think it’s past,” Welch told Submission Radio. “I mean, you never know what’s going to happen in the UFC. It’s not impossible that Volkanovski goes out there and beats Ilia Topuria. I mean, that’s possible. So, you never know, and I do think stylistically, Sean could give Ilia problems. He really could, but Ilia Topuria is a very, very scary fight.

“That’s not a fight you go in there and be like, ‘Oh yeah, man, we’re going to go out,’ – it’s like, you make one mistake with Ilia Topuria, and you’re going to be lights out, looking up at the ceiling or whatever. But that’s a scary, scary fight. But I do believe that Sean, with his range and with his speed and with just his overall skill set, he could give Ilia problems. I do believe that.”

After losing his title to Dvalishvili, O’Malley underwent surgery for a torn labrum in his left hip – an injury he came into the fight with. Dvalishvili appears willing to grant O’Malley an immediate rematch, and if the pair do run things back, Welch is confident that “The Suga Show” would get the finish.

“A healthy Sean, I do believe we go out there and end up KO’ing Merab in between some sort of scramble or something,” Welch said. “On the in-betweens, I think Sean will be able to catch his chin and put him down.”

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

Kamaru Usman: Khamzat Chimaev ‘100 percent’ can take down Dricus Du Plessis, not sure if he finishes

Kamaru Usman admits Khamzat Chimaev is “hell in that first round,” but he’s not sure that’s enough to beat UFC champ Dricus Du Plessis.

[autotag]Kamaru Usman[/autotag] doesn’t doubt [autotag]Khamzat Chimaev[/autotag]’s chances of taking UFC middleweight champion [autotag]Dricus Du Plessis[/autotag] down to the ground.

Chimaev (14-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) dominated former champ Robert Whittaker to earn a first-round submission in Saturday’s UFC 308 co-main event in Abu Dhabi. Usman has first-hand experience of Chimaev’s strength. Usman was taken down and controlled for all of Round 1 of their matchup at UFC 294, but he managed to survive the onslaught. He wound up losing the bout by majority decision after rallying late.

Just like how Chimaev managed to control Whittaker, Usman doesn’t see it going any differently for Du Plessis (22-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC) – but maybe not a finish.

“Khamzat is hell in that first round,” Usman said on his “Pound 4 Pound” podcast with Henry Cejudo. “He is hell when he’s dry like that, and he’s big and strong, and he still moves like a welterweight. It’s hell for anybody. Do I think he can do that to Dricus? I think 100 percent he could take Dricus down.

“I think he can keep him down, but I don’t know if he can get the finish because Dricus is very, very tough. There’s a reason Dricus is the champ. He’s very tough, and Dricus will not stop trying. Will Khamzat take him down? Yes. Could he keep him down? Yes, maybe the whole first round. But can he finish him? I don’t know.”

Chimaev’s performance got middleweight champion Du Plessis’ attention, and he could end up leapfrogging Sean Strickland as No. 1 contender after UFC 308.

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

Alexander Volkanovski: Ilia Topuria wouldn’t submit Islam Makhachev, but he can knock him out

Alexander Volkanovski thinks UFC champ Ilia Topuria has the power to put anyone away – at featherweight and lightweight.

[autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag] thinks UFC champion [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] has the power to put anyone away – at featherweight and lightweight.

Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) is coming off back-to-back knockouts of Volkanovski and most recently Max Holloway in Saturday’s UFC 308 main event in Abu Dhabi. Topuria wants a shot at lightweight champion [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] and is confident he can submit him.

Volkanovski isn’t sure about the submitting him part but definitely won’t rule out Topuria’s chance of catching Makhachev (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC) on the feet.

“Submission, I don’t see that happening,” Volkanovski said on “The Ariel Helwani Show.” “Can he knock Islam out? Of course. He can knock anyone out in them two divisions (featherweight and lightweight). I’ve always said, and it’s going to be the same for Islam, the only way I see these guys like myself losing is getting caught. Who can catch these? It’s guys like Ilia that can do that.

“He could go out there and land, but going out there and beating Islam or even submitting him and controlling him, I think that is very, very unlikely. But definitely could catch him. Ilia can catch anyone in them two divisions, so you can never count out Ilia in them fights, but they are going to be tough fights. If he can’t knock them out, they’re tough fights for him. Very tough fights.”

Volkanovski (26-4 MMA, 13-3 UFC) has been taking time off ever since losing his featherweight title to Topuria at UFC 298 in February. He appears to have gotten UFC CEO Dana White’s approval on an immediate rematch, but Topuria and his team are not keen on fighting at UFC 312 Feb. 8 in Sydney.

Both Volkanovski and Diego Lopes have openly said they would fight each other on that date for the interim title if Topuria opts against a relatively quick turnaround.

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

Aljamain Sterling: I have ‘a great style’ to neutralize UFC champ Ilia Topuria’s offense

Nobody has figured out an answer for UFC champion Ilia Topuria, but Aljamain Sterling believes he’s got one.

Nobody has figured out an answer for UFC featherweight champion [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag], but [autotag]Aljamain Sterling[/autotag] believes he’s got one.

Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) retained his title in Saturday’s UFC 308 main event by becoming the first man to knock out Max Holloway (26-8 MMA, 22-8 UFC). Former bantamweight champion Sterling (24-4 MMA, 16-4 UFC) will look to emerge as No. 1 contender if he can bounce Movsar Evloev (18-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) from the ranks of the unbeaten at UFC 310 on Dec. 7.

Topuria’s power is a proven problem at 145 pounds, but “The Funkmaster” says he wouldn’t even bother standing with him.

“If I were to fight him, God willing I beat Movsar and I do get the crack, I do think I have a great style to neutralize his offense,” Sterling said on his YouTube channel. “Bro, most of these guys are striking with him. I ain’t doing that. We’re sitting here looking for our takedown, and we’re going to have to make it a grappling match.

“I’m trying to get the W. I’m not trying to get my head and my brain sent to the next dimension again. I’m good on that. But I think it’s cool that people were even mentioning that. I think that would be a crazy match for multiple reasons. … But I’ve got one other tough opponent in front of me, and then we’ll kind of go from there.”

Sterling has a few other fighters to contend with for a title shot. Diego Lopes weighed in as a backup for Topuria vs. Holloway at UFC 308, and former champion Alexander Volkanovski got Dana White’s approval for a rematch with Topuria next.

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

Grading UFC 308 winners: Magomed Ankalaev, Lerone Murphy and Shara Magomedov’s wild KO

What’s next for Magomed Ankalaev, Lerone Murphy, Shara Magomedov after their UFC 308 wins? We discuss on “Spinning Back Clique.”

UFC 308 was certainly a big night for Ilia Topuria and Khamzat Chimaev, but there were others on that card that shinned as well.

[autotag]Magomed Ankalaev[/autotag] demented himself as the No. 1 contender in the division by defeating Aleksandar Rakic in a unanimous decision, [autotag]Lerone Murphy[/autotag] also won on the scorecards, defeating veteran Dan Ige, [autotag]Shara Magomedov[/autotag] picked up one of the wildest knockouts of 2024 by putting away Armen Petrosyan.

Should Ankalaev get the next title shot? Is Murphy ready for the top dogs at featherweight? What’s the ceiling on Magomedov? What should be next for these winners after their respective victories?

MMA Junkie’s Brian “Goze” Garcia, Dan Tom, Danny Segura and host “Gorgeous” George discuss some of the big wins under the top billing of Saturday’s UFC pay-per-view event 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/h6-QMNMPZ9A

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Midway through UFC 308 main event, Dana White lamented no BMF status for Topuria-Holloway

Once the fight was proving to be a true banger, Dana White wished the BMF title would have been on the line, too, at UFC 308.

ABU DHABI – When the idea first was proposed that [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag] could challenge for [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag]’s featherweight title, Topuria had what seemed to be a natural question.

Would Holloway’s new BMF belt be on the line, too? It stood to reason, Topuria argued, that it should.

The MMA world now knows that it wasn’t part of the deal this past Saturday at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, where Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC), the UFC’s first champion from Spain, defended the featherweight belt with a stunner of a knockout in the third round. Former longtime champ Holloway (26-8 MMA, 22-8 UFC) this never had been knocked out.

Making things slightly more dramatic was the fact Topuria said he’d be the first to do it to Holloway, then backed it up – not necessarily against all odds, but certainly against many of them.

The competitive nature if the fight before Holloway had his lights turned out made it seem, in retrospect, that it could’ve been a BMF title fight like the one Holloway was in when he finished Justin Gaethje with one second left. That bit of instant legend is what got Holloway the title shot.

Even UFC CEO [autotag]Dana White[/autotag], after the fact, said it might have been good to have both belts contested.

“Topuria’s belt was on the line; Max was trying to take that,” White said after UFC 308 in explanation of why the promotion didn’t bring the BMF strap into the picture. “Halfway through the second round, I said, ‘Sh*t, we should have put the Bad Motherf*cker title up for this fight, too, because these guys are both (a BMF).'”

Holloway said after his loss that he’s likely to move to lightweight. That wouldn’t affect the BMF belt, though. It just may be a while before Holloway gets back on the horse, and when he does, it remains to be seen if it will be in the type of fight that would warrant the symbolic belt being up for grabs.

White was just as unsure what will happen with it.

“I don’t know what we’ll do with it yet, but Max still has it. Max holds the title, so we’ll see what happens,” he said.

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

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UFC champ Dricus Du Plessis: Khamzat Chimaev ‘gets me more excited’ than Sean Strickland rematch

Dricus Du Plessis has diverted his attention to Khamzat Chimaev after UFC 308.

Middleweight champion [autotag]Dricus Du Plessis[/autotag] has diverted his attention to [autotag]Khamzat Chimaev[/autotag] after UFC 308.

Du Plessis (22-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC) was expecting to run things back with [autotag]Sean Strickland[/autotag] (29-6 MMA, 16-6 UFC) for his next title defense. But after Chimaev (14-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) ran through former champ Robert Whittaker for a first-round submission in Saturday’s UFC 308 co-main event, Du Plessis now has a new target.

“We always knew that, between Rob and Khamzat, if it was going to be something exceptional that happens, there might be a change in the title fight,” Du Plessis told Radioraps. “We have no clarity on that, but as a fan of the sport, and as the middleweight champion of the world, that’s a fight that gets me more excited – taking somebody’s 0. I’ve beaten Strickland before, and I know I’ll beat him again.

“Getting that Khamzat fight, that gets me excited. I think the whole world, the fans want to see it. The fans ultimately pay to watch the fights. So, the fight the world thinks is the best next fight, that’s what I want. I think the Khamzat fight is 100 percent what I want. The UFC is going to do what they’re going to do, but from a fan perspective and from a fighter’s perspective, I think Khamzat should get the next shot.”

Du Plessis’ head coach, Morne Visser, echoed that sentiment on Instagram.

“3 athletes that started their UFC careers around the same time @tomaspinallofficial @dricusduplessis @iliatopuria 3 world champions, that will stay champions for a really long time!

Massive congrats to @iliatopuria on a phenomenal performance.

We want Khamzat next in February.
Prepare to be amazed once again.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/DBpzYxTopvd/?img_index=1

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

Joe Rogan: ‘Scary ass motherf*cker’ Khamzat Chimaev should get UFC middleweight title shot

Joe Rogan backs Khamzat Chimaev to get the next UFC middleweight title shot.

[autotag]Joe Rogan[/autotag] backs [autotag]Khamzat Chimaev[/autotag] to get the next UFC middleweight title shot.

Chimaev (14-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) crushed former champion Robert Whittaker’s jaw for a first-round submission in Saturday’s UFC 308 co-main event in Abu Dhabi. Sean Strickland (29-6 MMA, 16-6 UFC) was originally tabbed by Dana White as champion Dricus Du Plessis’ next challenger, but after Chimaev’s dominant performance, Rogan was left in awe.

“Once he gets a hold of you, it’s so dangerous,” Rogan said during his Fight Companion podcast. “He gets a title shot, I think. … Not just that (beating Whittaker in the first round), but ran through him. He didn’t get touched. He ran through him and strangled him in the first round. He might be the guy. Think about this at 185: So this guy was killing himself to get to 170. At 185, he’s the f*cking man. That guy’s a scary ass motherf*cker – scary. That grappling is next level.”

After losing his title to Du Plessis by split decision at UFC 297, Strickland rebounded with a win over Paulo Costa at UFC 302 in June. He refuses to compete again unless it’s a title-fight rematch against Du Plessis.

However, Strickland’s title opportunity could be in danger. Du Plessis’ head coach, Morne Visser, posted on Instagram that they want Chimaev next on Feb. 8 at UFC 312 in Sydney.

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

USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings, Oct. 29: Ilia Topuria’s UFC 308 KO leads to P4P shuffle

Check out the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings following UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi.

[autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag]’s seismic knockout of Max Holloway in the UFC 308 main event this past Saturday will have plenty of aftershock ripples. One of them comes in the form of the pound-for-pound rankings.

Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC), the UFC’s first champion from Spain, defended his featherweight title with a third-round finish of ex-champ Holloway (26-8 MMA, 22-8 UFC) at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Holloway never had been knocked out in his lengthy career and was coming off the monumental “BMF” title moment against Justin Gaethje.

It makes sense that Topuria takes a short climb up the ladder of the pound-for-pound rankings, and in this case, he will jump from No. 6 past Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou into third. Take a look at the fallout from that, as well as movement in other divisions after key UFC 308 results, as well, in the USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings.