Topuria v Holloway main event tips & best odds | UFC 308 preview

Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway square off in the UFC 308 main event at Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena on Sunday morning (AEDT) to decide the featherweight champion. The unbeaten Topuria is heavily favoured to retain his belt, but top UFC betting sites might be underestimating the toughness, resilience, fight IQ, and striking prowess of the challenger. Read on for our full fight preview and free betting strategy.

Topuria v Holloway UFC 308 fight preview

Ilia Topuria vs Max Holloway

Ilia Topuria (15-0-0) secured the UFC featherweight belt with a sensational second-round knockout win over Alexander Volkanovski in February. The 27-year-old made his UFC debut in 2020 and raced up the rankings with six straight victories before seizing the belt. He now faces his first title defence after sitting on the sidelines and belittling potential opponents.

The Georgian champion is a proven finisher with five wins via knockout, eight by submission, and just two on points. He is a slick boxer who hops in and out of range and can find an opponent’s chin with devastating straight punches, as he did against Volkanovski. Topuria is also an excellent offensive wrestler who can change levels and dominate from top position on the mat.

Max Holloway (26-7-0) produced one of the most memorable knockout finishes in UFC history last time out, face-planting Justin Gaethje to claim the ceremonial BMF belt with seconds left on the clock. The 32-year-old former featherweight champ has competed at the highest level across multiple divisions. Only a trio of tight losses to Volkanovski prevent Holloway from being considered the greatest featherweight of all time.

The Hawaiian is a volume striker who is built for five-round fights. He gradually increases his output, relentlessly jabbing from long range, and holds numerous UFC records for total strikes landed. Holloway’s granite chin has never been cracked across 33 professional fights, despite taking on much bigger opponents like Gaethje and Dustin Poirier in the lightweight division.

Topuria v Holloway UFC 308 predictions

While the unbeaten champion has displayed impressive talent and is still improving, this looks like a classic coin flip between a young prospect and a wily veteran. Unless Topuria can take out Holloway early — a feat no other fighter has accomplished — he will learn the harsh lessons of going five rounds with one of the sport’s most prolific strikers. Given the lopsided odds on offer with leading UFC bookmakers, the underdog looks a very solid bet.

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