Time Check! Official Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway main event start time | UFC 308

Dan Hiergesell is an expert voice who serves as MMAmania.com's weekend editor, covering mixed martial arts (MMA) for more than 15 years, getting featured on programs such as Countdown to UFC and SiriusXM Fight Club, among others.

Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway will collide for the undisputed UFC featherweight title later today (Sat., Oct. 26, 2024) at UFC 308 live on ESPN+ pay-per-view (PPV) from inside Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE, but they will meet at an unusual time for one of the most stacked events of the year.

Topuria’s main event clash with Holloway will be his first official title defense since knocking out Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 this past January to claim the 145-pound strap (highlights HERE). The undefeated Spanish fighter is already crowning himself the best in the business, but he’s yet to take on the best of the best in the featherweight division. Stopping Volkanovski was a tremendous start, but Saturday’s tilt with “Blessed” will be real telling of Topuria’s dominance moving forward.

Holloway, on the other hand, has been here more than once. This will be his second attempt to become a UFC featherweight champion, but his 10th official UFC title fight. It is Holloway’s 11th if you count his “BMF” title fight against Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 this past April, which “Blessed” closed out with a last-second knockout finish (rewatch it HERE). Holloway will be a betting underdog for Saturday’s matchup with Topuria, but the fan favorite is red-hot and more than capable of playing spoiler.

Fight fans will be watching the early action from Abu Dhabi as the “Prelims” got underway at 10 a.m. ET (results HERE), but what time can they expect Topuria and Holloway to make their respective walks to the Octagon?

With a loaded PPV main card beginning at 2 p.m. ET — which includes a five-round, co-main event between middleweights Robert Whittaker and Khamzat Chimaev — Topuria vs. Holloway is expected to begin around 4:30 p.m. ET. Of course, the action could run early or late so be sure to stick with Mania for ongoing start time updates.

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‘FIGHT ISLAND’ FIRECRACKER! Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) returns to “Fight Island” in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Sat., Oct. 26, 2024, with a thrilling 145-pound championship clash between freshly-crowned kingpin, Ilia Topuria, making his first-ever title defense against former division deity, Max Holloway. In UFC 308’s pay-per-view (PPV) co-headliner, former Middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker, will face off against the oft-injured (and ill) Khamzat Chimaev, with the winner inching one step closer to a future 185-pound title shot. UFC 308 will also feature the pivotal 205-pound showdown between Magomed Ankalaev vs. Aleksandar Rakic, the return of one-eyed Shara Magomedov and so much more! UFC 308’s start time is scheduled for 10 a.m. ET (Prelims card) and 2 p.m. ET (PPV main card).

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