Ilia Topuria struggles early, finishes indestructible Max Holloway for first time ever with killer left hook | UFC 308

*** HIGHLIGHTS! Watch Topuria Flatten Holloway On Fight Island!!! ***

Thomas Myers is a trailblazer in the mixed martial arts (MMA) media industry, founding MMAmania.com at a time when it had yet to hit the mainstream (2006) and managing the always-popular online destination for almost two successful decades ever since.

The time has arrived.

Featherweight champion, Ilia Topuria — viewed as a future pay-per-view (PPV) box office behemoth — is set to make the first-ever defense of his 145-pound crown against a dangerous man who used to wear it, Max Holloway, in UFC 308’s main event from “Fight Island.”

It’s going to be great.

This clash of styles (and generations) is a matchup that will have mixed martial arts (MMA) fans on the edge of their seats. Topuria, the undefeated rising star, brings his explosive power and relentless pressure to the Octagon. Meanwhile, Holloway — the seasoned veteran — will look to leverage his technical precision and relentless pace.

The future of the Featherweight division is here!

Live updates will begin to flow below the moment the two fighters make their way to the Octagon ...

Round One

The overqualified Marc Goddard was the third man inside the Octagon, ensuring this championship collision did not go off the rails ... Both fighters were adorned in their custom fight shorts and, just like that, we were off and punching ...

Topuria was the much shorter man, but in theory, the more powerful puncher. He invited Max to stand in the center of the Octagon, as expected, and Topuria began to push the pace on Max early. Topuria with a nice overhand right that just missed, then worked his way back inside pumping a hard left jab. Max tried to keep him at bay with his length, but 90 seconds into the match, he had “Blessed: on the canvas. max got back to his feet fast, but the message was sent — Topuria can do what he wants. Big overhand right from Topuria clipped Max on the break, bit it did not appear to faze him at all. Overhand right, hard uppercut from Topuria along the cage as Max struggled to keep a safe distance. Max began to turn it up down the stretch, putting his combinations together well as Topuria couldn’t seem to get close. Spinning back kick from Max missed its mark, which Topuria used to secure some sort of sloppy takedown at the bell. Topuria early, Max late — close round.

Round Two

Nice right hand from Max started the second stanza. Jab, then an overhand right from Max, as Topuria still couldnt really get close — he missed with a big three-punch combination. He was landing the calf kicks, though, followed by a hard right hand — his most effective tactic thus far. Topuria landed a massive left hook along the cage, wobbling the durable Hawaiian. Max responded with a nice shot moments later as Topuria continued to head hunt with big shots. Max’s left jab continued to give Topuria fits — he just could not avoid it. Big overhand right from Max stung Topuria, who appeared to take his foot off the gas pedal a bit. Big low kick from Topuria, but that’s not going to win him a fight of this caliber — he needs to do more. Strong round for the challenger.

Round Three

Great fight so far — very evenly matched. Topuria landed a nice jab early, with Max content to chip away with his jab and front kicks. Topuria landed another low kick, followed by a nice shovel hook that Max appreciated. Huge right hand from Topuria nearly stopped Max — he was wobbled bad. He started to fire back, but then Topuria drilled him with a massive left hand and that was a wrap. That’s the first time Max Holloway has ever been knocked down much less knocked out.

Final result: Topuria def. Holloway via technical knockout in round three — WATCH HIGHLIGHTS!

LIVE! Watch UFC 308 PPV On ESPN+ Here!

‘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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