ABU DHABI – Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway won’t have to wait much longer to settle their differences following their final faceoff at Friday’s UFC 308 ceremonial weigh-ins.
After making weight earlier in the day, Topuria (15-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) and Holloway (26-7 MMA, 22-7 UFC) got a last look at each other in front of the fans, media and the world watching ahead of Saturday’s highly anticipated featherweight championship contest at Etihad Arena on Yas Island (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN+).
Topuria talked nonstop while Holloway merely nodded. It appeared Topuria said, in part: “I’m the best in the world. … I’m the best in the world. … I work my ass off. … I’ve got something for you. … Let’s go, boy. … I’m going to be the first one to knock you out – trust me.”
Topuria claimed the 145-pound belt in February when he scored a stunning knockout of Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298. He has endlessly claimed he will run through “Blessed” with an early knockout, but Holloway clearly thinks otherwise. The Hawaiian looks to regain the belt he lost in December 2019 following the momentum of his unforgettable knockout of Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 in April.
There is a tremendous amount at stake between the two athletes, and the intensity of the moment was clear from Topuria and Holloway during the final staredown, which can be seen in the video above.
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