It was a sight to behold as Ilya Topuria proved he was everything he said he was and more at UFC 308. On Saturday in Abu Dhabi, Topuria became the first fighter to knock out Max Holloway when he finished him with strikes in the third round.
It was an impressive display for the featherweight champion. The division is now his oyster as he has taken out the last two 145lb champions in his last two fights with relative ease.
Topuria is undefeated as a mixed martial artist, and is a perfect 8-0 under the UFC banner after earning the belt in February with a brutal second-round knockout of longtime champion Alexander Volkanovski. Holloway proved to be a tough test after what will likely be the best knockout of 2024 with a literal last-second stoppage of Justin Gaethje to win the UFC’s BMF symbolic title in April.
Unfortunately for Holloway, his momentum from the win over Gaethje was short-lived.
Here’s how all the action will look at UFC 308:
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In a set of two-fights, Ilya Topuria knocking out Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway back-to-back – like that – may be one of the greatest we’ve ever seen. #UFC308
– Shaheen Shatti (@shaunalshatti) October 26, 2024
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There is always a moment when a star is born. Elijah arrived when he defeated Alex Volkanovski. He emerged as a star with this victory. pic.twitter.com/vLGVFrrp1Z
– Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) October 26, 2024
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Considering what he’s done in these last two fights, it’s not a stretch to imagine Topuria as the GOAT of a featherweight one day. An unreal start to the title era.
– Drake Riggs (@DrakeRiggs_) October 26, 2024
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Result: Ilya Topuria def. Max Holloway by KO (punches) at 1:34 of R3
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Topuria just went and said what’s up to Steve Harvey. Right up there with Fabricio Werdum beating Fedor and celebrating with Forest Whitaker.
– Ben Fowlkes (@benfowlkesMMA) October 26, 2024
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Wow, amazing ending there by Topuria. Max is never treated this way. The power is unreal for a 145er.
– Chuck Mindenhall (@ChuckMindenhall) October 26, 2024
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Topuria! Oh my God, that power. You’ve never seen anyone do that to Max Holloway.
– Ben Fowlkes (@benfowlkesMMA) October 26, 2024
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Holy shit. Topuria is incredible. We’re going to have a lot of fun with this guy.
– Peter Carroll (@PetesyCarroll) October 26, 2024
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Topuria has the speed to go first and catch Holloway at times. Holloway has a lot going for him, though. The work rate is unbelievable in this fight through two.
– Ben Fowlkes (@benfowlkesMMA) October 26, 2024
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This level of martial arts is almost too high. It’s glorious.
– Drake Riggs (@DrakeRiggs_) October 26, 2024
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Full results for the UFC 308 main card
Featherweight: Ilya Topuria def. Max Holloway by KO (punches) at 1:34 of R3
Middleweight: Khamzat Chimaev defeated. Robert Whittaker via submission at 3:34 of R1
Light Heavyweight: Magomed Ankalaev def. Aleksandar Rakic via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Featherweight: def. Leron Murphy. Dan Ige by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Middleweight: Defeated Chara Magomedov. Armen Petrosyan by TKO (strikes) at 4:52 of R2
Full results from the UFC 308 preliminary card
Eppo Aslan defeated. Rafael Cerqueira via TKO (punches) at 0:51 of round one
Rafael dos Anjos def. Jeff Neal via TKO (injury) at 1:30 of round 1
Matthews Ribicki def. Myktybek Orolbai via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Abu Magomedov defeated. Bruno Ferreira via submission (arm triangle choke) at 3:14 of round three
Kennedy Nzechukwu def. Chris Barnett via TKO (punches) at 4:37 of round one
Farid Bisharat defeated. Victor Hugo by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Ismail Nurdiev defeated. Bruno Silva by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Rinat Fakhriddinov defeated. Carlos Leal by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
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