Ilya Topuria retains his crown by defeating Max Holloway with a historic knockout at UFC 308.

Ilya Topuria (Halle, Germany, 27 years old) once again delivered on his promise and successfully defended his featherweight crown for the first time. UFCgreat promoter of world mixed martial arts. He, as usual, repeated again and again that victory was already his, and he was not mistaken. Or not really. He did not score a knockout in either the first or second round, but shortly after the start of the third round first man to knock out Max Holloway (Honolulu, Hawaii, 32 years old). His piecework training and dedication to the millimeter again bore fruit, leaving behind another true MMA legend who could not resist the strength and tenacity of the fighter. Matador over the octagon.

After a brutal exchange focusing on boxing and each participant’s best weapon, Topuria hit the nerves as soon as the third round began and he sped up when he realized that one of his right hands had touched Holloway’s left hand. Powerful combinationon the right, an anthological left leg and a knockdown to the ground, where he found himself with a large number of punches, condemned an opponent who had never fallen in this way in 34 fights and who was able to withstand his attacks for at least two rounds.

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Victory in Etihad Arena filled with 18,000 soulsfalling in the middle of the evening, gives Topuria even more power to decide her fate. On the horizon Matador He has two clear goals. First you want to confirm UFC’s arrival in Spain in 2025, if possible, at the Santiago Bernabeu; Next will be another meeting with Volkanovski, who is present in the pavilion and went up to the Octagon to congratulate him. “If anyone deserves revenge, it’s him.” – assured the Latino-Georgian before the promise of a microphone. With her first defense of the world title, Ilya Topuria established herself as a great athlete. superstar UFC and the main standard of the new generation of great champions. Matador He dreamed about it and continues to dream about it.

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Chimaev and Magomedov close the show.

The remarkable billboard for the event, located on the recreational Yas Island, where the Yas Marina Circuit, Ferrari World, Sealand and other attractions of the Arab country are located, left other notable moments. Main card debut, undefeated Shara Magomedov (15-0) signed one of the most spectacular knockouts of the year with a double spinning fist, a resolution that has never been seen in the UFC octagon. Chasing Alex Pereira’s light heavyweight beltMagomed Ankalaev He left Aleksandar Rakic ​​no options and warned the Brazilian. “Now you can start running away,” the Russian fighter dared in English.

In the constellation of the evening, Khamzat Chimaev destroyed the former middleweight champion Australian with an explosive start Robert Whittakerfailing to break free from Russian control on the ground. After a quick takedown and plenty of punishment with fists and knees, the undefeated challenger asked for a pass as he looked for a shot at the title held by South African Dricousse du Plessis.

At the preliminary stages Hand Chris Barnett He was injured before the start of the fight during his unsuccessful comeback after a two-year layoff. A native of Zaragoza, the son of an American air captain stationed in the city, lost by technical knockout to the Nigerian giant Kennedy Nzechukwumass 2.11 meters high. One of the fights of the evening was won by a Pole Mateusz Rebeckicapable of resisting the Kyrgyz Myktybek Orolbay in a fight to the point of exhaustion with both opponents covered in blood, demonstrating superhuman endurance on the canvas.

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