UFC 308 Recap: Topuria Shines, Chimaev Dominates in Abu Dhabi

UFC 308, held in Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena, delivered an unforgettable night of action, with Ilia Topuria defending his featherweight title in dramatic fashion and Khamzat Chimaev putting on a powerhouse performance in the co-main event.
In the headliner, Topuria (16-0) made history, becoming the first fighter to knock out former featherweight champion Max Holloway. The Georgian-born champion stunned Holloway with a devastating left hook in the third round, following up with relentless hammerfists to close the show at 1:34. Topuria’s triumph solidifies his rising stardom in the division and caps a milestone first title defense since claiming the belt earlier this year against Alexander Volkanovski.
“I couldn’t believe it,” Topuria shared, reflecting on his victory over the revered Holloway. “To beat a legend like Max Holloway, a man who inspired my career, it’s something special. I hope I’m an example for the new generation, just as Max was for me.”
The fight saw Topuria’s calculated power outshine Holloway’s trademark volume striking. Though Holloway seemed to find his rhythm in the early rounds, Topuria’s relentless aggression ultimately overwhelmed him. A strategic right hand weakened Holloway, setting up the final left hook that etched Topuria’s name into the record books.
This emphatic win opens up intriguing possibilities for Topuria, with UFC President Dana White hinting at a potential rematch with Volkanovski, who was in attendance and eager for the opportunity. Another option includes rising contender Diego Lopes, who’s been in the title conversation after an impressive win over Brian Ortega.
In the co-main event, Khamzat Chimaev delivered a commanding first-round submission victory over former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker. Chimaev quickly took Whittaker to the ground, unleashing a relentless grappling assault. The submission finish came via a face crank that left Whittaker visibly shaken, with reports of a possible jaw injury.
Reflecting on his victory, Chimaev admitted, “I felt something wrong with his jaw. This is my job, but I feel bad about it.” Chimaev’s impressive performance places him firmly in line for a title shot in the middleweight division, likely against Dricus du Plessis.
Beyond the main events, UFC 308 there were other notable fights across the card:
• Magomed Ankalaev secured a hard-fought decision win over Aleksandar Rakic.
• Shara Magomedov earned a second-round knockout against Armen Petrosyan.
• Ibo Aslan delivered a dominant first-round TKO over Rafael Cerqueira.

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