In a thrilling UFC 308 main event in Abu Dhabi, featherweight champion Ilia Topuria successfully defended his title with a devastating third-round knockout of former champion Max Holloway. The victory marked yet another statement performance by Topuria, who won the title earlier this year with a knockout of Alexander Volkanovski and now adds the legendary Holloway to his unbeaten resume. With this win, Topuria advances to 16-0, while Holloway’s record moves to 26-8.
Both fighters called for a high-octane slugfest in the lead-up to the fight, but the opening round unfolded with a tactical, long-range approach. Holloway stayed busy on the outside, using his trademark volume striking, while Topuria pressured forward, controlling the Octagon and looking for openings. Topuria scored two takedowns early, establishing his physical edge and letting Holloway know he was prepared to mix it up.
After Holloway managed to get back to his feet, Topuria connected with a hard right hand and added a series of powerful kicks. Holloway responded with characteristic resilience, steadily increasing his volume as the round progressed, keeping Topuria honest and showcasing his endurance and accuracy.
As the second round unfolded, Topuria’s power shots began to land with more consistency, each strike carrying an authority that visibly caught Holloway’s attention. But in true Holloway fashion, the former champion kept his composure, sticking to his game plan and refusing to back down. His relentless work rate and combinations continued to rack up points, though Topuria’s strikes left an unmistakable impact with each exchange, setting the stage for the explosive finish to come.
In the third round, Topuria’s power ultimately proved to be the difference. Just over a minute in, he landed a clean right hand that wobbled Holloway, sending the crowd into a frenzy. Sensing the end, Topuria unleashed a flurry of strikes, mixing in punches and kicks to keep Holloway on the defensive. Although Holloway tried to withstand the onslaught, a crushing left hand from Topuria sent him to the canvas, and referee Marc Goddard stepped in to stop the fight at 1:34 of the round.
With this dominant knockout victory, Topuria has successfully defended his title against one of the featherweight division’s greatest fighters, solidifying himself as a true powerhouse at 145 pounds.
