Featherweight champion Ilia Topuria fulfilled his promise to become the first man to knock out Max Holloway at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi on Saturday. Topuria, with a perfect record of 16-0, used a powerful right hand to daze Holloway before delivering a decisive left hook that sent the 32-year-old to the canvas. Referee Mark Goddard intervened at the 1:34 mark of the third round to stop the bout as Topuria unleashed a ground-and-pound finish.
Reflecting on his victory, Topuria expressed his respect for Holloway, acknowledging him as a legend and a role model for the new generation of fighters. He credited his intuition for sensing the opportunity after landing the initial power punch, recognizing the rare vulnerability in Holloway's demeanor.
The match began with Topuria and Holloway engaging in a spirited exchange, with Topuria targeting Holloway's lead leg with effective leg kicks. Both fighters showcased their boxing skills in the second round, but it was Topuria's leg kicks that appeared to wear down Holloway, setting the stage for the decisive blows in the third round.
Holloway, gracious in defeat, admitted that Topuria's punch had a greater impact than he anticipated, acknowledging his opponent's superiority on the night. Topuria's consecutive victories over Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski position him as a strong contender for Fighter of the Year.
In the co-main event, Khamzat Chimaev (14-0) secured a dominant victory over Robert Whitaker (27-8) with a first-round submission, declaring his intention to vie for the championship title. The main card also featured Magomed Ankalaev's unanimous decision win over Aleksandar Rakic and Lerone Murphy's victory over Dan Ige by unanimous decision in a thrilling featherweight match.
Shara Magomedov (15-0-0) concluded the main card with a TKO victory over Armen Petrosyan (9-4-0) in the second round of their middleweight bout, capping off an action-packed evening of fights at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi.
