MMA
UFC 308: Topuria vs Holloway – Fight Preview, Head-to-Head, Odds and Predictions
The UFC Featherweight Title will be on the line in the main event of UFC 308.
Ilia Topuria//Getty Images
UFC 308 is the upcoming big pay-per-view of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). The mega event is scheduled for 26 October 2024. The magnificent Etihad Arena in UAE will host the event.
The event looks set to be a blockbuster and will be headlined by a featherweight title matchup between Max Holloway and the defending champion IIia Topuria. Meanwhile, the co-main event will be a five-round non-title clash between Khamzat Chimaev and former champion, Robert Whittaker.
Many other exciting matches are scheduled for the event, the likes of Magomed Ankalaev vs Aleksandar Rakic, Lerone Murphy vs Dan Ige and Geoff Neal vs Rafael dos Anjos.
Join us as we examine UFC 308: Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway, including the full fight card, start time, fight preview, head-to-head comparison, strengths and weaknesses, and prediction.
UFC 308 Start time
The prelims for UFC 308 will start at 10 a.m. ET/ 7 a.m. PT/ 7:30 pm IST. Meanwhile, the main card will start at 2 p.m. ET/ 11 a.m. PT/ 11:30 pm IST.
Fans from all around the globe can sit back and enjoy watching the PPV on ESPN+.
UFC 308 Full fight card
For all the fans who are new to the world of MMA or UFC, the normal fight card features a Main Card and a Preliminary Card.
Main Card
- Main event: Ilia Topuria vs Max Holloway (UFC Featherweight Title)
- Co-main event: Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev (Middleweight)
- Lerone Murphy vs. Dan Ige (Featherweight)
- Magomed Ankalaev vs. Aleksandar Rakic (Light heavyweight)
- Shara Magomedov vs. Armen Petrosyan (Middleweight)
Preliminary Card
- Geoff Neal vs. Rafael dos Anjos (Welterweight)
- Mateusz Rebecki vs. Myktybek Orolbai (Lightweight)
- Said Nurmagomedov vs. Daniel Santos (Bantamweight)
- Abus Magomedov vs. Brunno Ferreira (Middleweight)
- Kennedy Nzechukwu vs. Justin Tafa (Heavyweight)
- Farid Basharat vs. Victor Hugo (Bantamweight)
- Ismail Naurdiev vs Bruno Silva (Middleweight)
- Rinat Fakhretdinov vs Nursulton Ruziboev (Welterweight)
- Ibo Aslan vs Rafael Cerqueira (Light heavyweight)
Ilia Topuria vs Max Holloway: Fighter Profile
With excitement building on the main event, let's take a look at the fighter profile of both featherweight stars.
IIia Topuria, the current UFC Featherweight Champion is a Georgian and Spanish professional MMA star. As of July 2024, he was ranked #4 in the UFC men's pound-for-pound rankings. The Featherweight Champion currently holds an undefeated record in his MMA professional career, 15-0-0 (15 wins, 0 defeats). He has an incredible record of nine first-round finishes, five wins by knockout and eight wins by submission. Standing at 5’7 (170 cm), Topuria has a 69 in reach and 37 in leg reach. He won his last fight against Alexander Volkanovski in the main event of UFC 298 on 17 February 2024. It was a dominating second-round TKO.
Max Holloway//Getty Images
Jerome Max Keli'i Holloway, more commonly known as Max Holloway, is a 32-year-old UFC star, fighting out of Hawaii, USA. He currently competes in the Featherweight and Lightweight divisions. Standing at 5’11 (180cm), Holloway holds a record of 26-7-0 (26 wins & 7 defeats) in his professional MMA career. He has a 69.0" (175cm) reach and a leg reach of 42 in. He won his last fight against Justin Gaethje with an overhand right in the 5th round on April 13, 2024, at UFC 300: Pereira vs. Hill.
All the defeats in Holloway’s career have come during his time within UFC only, two against Dustin Poirier, once to Dennis Bermudez and Conor McGregor, respectively, as well as three times against Alexander Volkanovski. Talking about his wins, 12 have come via knockouts and two by submission.
Ilia Topuria vs Max Holloway
| Ilia Topuria | Stats | Max Holloway |
| 15-0-0 | Record | 26-7-0 |
| Win | Last Fight | Win |
| Germany | Country | United States |
| 5' 7" | Height | 5’11” |
| 144.50 LB | Weight | 156.00 LB |
| 69 in | Reach | 69 in |
| 37 in | Leg Reach | 42 in |
Ilia Topuria vs Max Holloway: Head-to-Head Comparison
The upcoming clash will be the first time Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway will be facing off for the first time in their MMA career.
Key stats ahead of the clash
Win by
| Ilia Topuria | Stats | Max Holloway |
| 36% | TKO/KO | 48% |
| 57% | Submission | 8% |
| 7% | Decision | 44% |
| 10:02 | Average Fight Time | 16:15 |
| 1.07 | Knockdown average (Per 15 minutes) | 0.35 |
Significant strikes
| Ilia Topuria | Stats | Max Holloway |
| 4.4 | Landed per minute | 7.17 |
| 46% | Significant strikes | 48% |
| 3.35 | Absorbed per minute | 4.72 |
| 65% | Defence | 59% |
Grappling
| Ilia Topuria | Stats | Max Holloway |
| 1.92 | Takedown average (Per 15 minutes) | 0.25 |
| 56% | Takedown accuracy | 53% |
| 92% | Takedown defence | 84% |
| 1.28 | Submissions Average (Per 15 minutes)
| 0.32 |
Betting Odds
| Ilia Topuria | Stats | Max Holloway |
| -215 | Money line | +200 |
Strengths and Weaknesses
Ilia Topuria
Strengths:
- Striking precision
- High-level grappling & submission skills
- Aggressive fight style
Weaknesses:
- Potential vulnerability to high-volume strikers
- Less experience in five-round fights compared to opponent
- Tendency to rely heavily on power, can lead to openings for counterattacks
Max Holloway
Strengths:
- Exceptional striking volume & accuracy
- Great cardio & endurance
- High fight IQ
- Great adaptability
Weaknesses:
- Susceptibility to heavy punches
- Occasional slow starts in fights
- Tendency to engage in brawls, can lead to unnecessary damage.
Prediction and Conclusion
The main event of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) 308 promises to be a great fight to watch. It will be a clash of styles, Max Holloway known for his volume striking and cardio against a very opposite style of Ilia Topuria, known for his power and grappling. The UFC Featherweight Title will also be on the line, adding additional flair to an already spicy affair.
If Topuria can impose his game plan early, he has a good chance of securing a win via knockout or submission. However, if Holloway can weather the early storm and drag the fight into deep waters, his experience and endurance may prevail. Topuria will be looking to utilize submissions. Meanwhile, Max Holloway will be looking to utilize his rapid footwork, range and more diverse range of striking.
But Topuria is the clear favourite headline into the clash and will be looking to continue his undefeated streak, though he’ll have to look out for Holloway’s experience.
The clash will showcase the best of the best in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) featherweight division. Fans should expect a high-energy event with a banger main event.
With over a decade of experience in sports writing, Hardik Malhotra has built a distinguished career in the internet industry. His expertise spans across various domains including Art Direction, Web Content Writing, and Content Management, all underscored by a high degree of initiative. Hardik’s passion for sports is reflected in his professional journey and personal interests.