Will Max Holloway Be “Blessed” Against Ilia Topuria?

Fight week is drawing to a close, which means UFC 308 is almost here and MMA Knockouts from the SI team have their main card predictions for you.

Fans are eagerly waiting for Ilia Topuria to make his first successful title defense against Max Holloway. This time it’s the UFC Featherweight Championship. Holloway has already tasted the 145-pound gold, but Topuria says he’s the new gold standard in the division.

Who will leave Abu Dhabi with the championship?

Also on the agenda for UFC 308 is a marquee middleweight bout between former 185-pound titleholder Robert Whittaker and Khamzat Chimaev. The light heavyweight tilt between Magomed Ankalaev and Aleksandar Rakic ​​is equally important.

As the godfather of MMA refereeing once said, “Let’s get to it!”

Ilia Topuria (c) vs. Max Holloway – for the UFC Featherweight Championship

Fernando Quiles Jr.: I wouldn’t be surprised if Topuria used her grappling skills in this fight. In fact, it would be wise to do so. Holloway has a granite chin and refuses to give up. Topuria will land his shots standing up, but if Holloway continues to move forward and land his own shots, I think “El Matador” will knock this one down. I see this going the distance with the champion defending his gold. (Selection: Topuria)

Mathew’s Riddle: In my opinion, it’s a coin toss challenge. An excellent fight with both men doing their best. I’m shaking with Topuria for no reason. (Selection: Topuria)

Drew Beaupre: Like the first fight between Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski, this is an incredible matchup, I’m both excited and nervous because I’m a huge fan of both fighters. The most disappointing outcome would be Topuria finally managing to break Holloway’s legendary jaw early before things really get going, and while I’m more than willing to pick “Blessed” here, I’ll be leaning on the champion to defend his belt. The fight goes to the next rounds. (Selection: Topuria)

Zain Bando: There is no better fight to be had in the UFC right now. Both Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway are riding ridiculous momentum following their respective wins and something has to give. I like Holloway here, given his championship history and the number of big names he’s fought against over the last decade. I think this will be a bit much for Topuria. (Selection: Holloway)

Christopher De Santiago: I’ve been going back and forth on this pick for months, deciding between Topuria’s power, speed and combative pedigree and Holloway’s legendary chin and takedown defense. Of course it’s going to be a lot more than that, but I believe in Holloway’s uncanny ability to land a punch and do the damage back on Topuria, who has been a huge hammer in the UFC and hasn’t really seen him as a nail yet.

Holloway is in a dead end and I believe Holloway will have to catch up with Topuria in the later rounds, stop him in deep water or just put in enough effort to make a decision. (Selection: Holloway)

consensus: Ilia Topuria, 3-2

Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev

Fernando Quiles Jr.: If Whittaker can weather the first storm, I think he will have a chance to defeat Chimaev in the second and third rounds. However, while Chimaev tends to slow down as the fight progresses, I see “The Reaper” on his back throughout the opening frame if he doesn’t submit. In the end, I think Chimaev will force-tap or choke Whittaker. (Selection: Chimaev)

Mathew’s Riddle: I think Round 1 Khamzat is one of the best fighters in the UFC. If he is used to his fight with Usman, I think he will make it easy for Whittaker in the first round. I’m not sure about anything after the first round. (Pick: Chimaev, R1 SUB)

Drew Beaupre: I’m glad the UFC chose to rebook this fight after it fell flat in June, but even after Whittaker’s impressive win over Ikram Aliskerov, this matchup doesn’t seem easy to predict. Either way, this should be a treat for the fans and I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s at least one upset between the main and co-main events, but I have to side with Chimaev here. (Selection: Chimaev)

Zain Bando: It’s either a title shot or a bust for Robert Whittaker. When these two were originally scheduled to fight, I took Whittaker. Khamzat Chimaev hasn’t shown me anything that indicates he’s a changed fighter from his last fighter a year ago. In my opinion, this is an easy win for the former champion. (Selection: Whittaker)

Christopher De Santiago: There are still a lot of questions when it comes to Khamzat Chimaev, his cardio and how he will perform in the championship rounds, especially against former champion Robert Whittaker. But I don’t doubt Chimaev’s wrestling ability, I believe he can hold down Whittaker here who has great defense but admittedly, he hasn’t faced a grappler as high level as Khamzat Chimaev many times. time. (Selection: Chimaev)

consensus: Khamzat Chimaev, 4-1

Magomed Ankalaev vs Aleksandar Rakic

Fernando Quiles Jr.: Ankalaev may find himself under pressure here, given UFC CEO Dana White’s pressure to put in an impressive performance if he wants another title shot. I think Ankalaev will remain disciplined and take the punishment. (Election: Ankalaev)

Mathew’s Riddle: I call it an upset, I think Rakic ​​has solid enough foundations to outlast the cold Ankalaev. (Pick: Rakic)

Drew Beaupre: This feels like a matchup ripe for an upset, considering many fans think Ankalaev should have already been booked to face Alex Pereira. He certainly can’t underestimate Rakic, but I expect Ankalaev to make a statement in Abu Dhabi and leave the UFC with no choice but to give him the next light heavyweight title shot. (Election: Ankalaev)

Zain Bando: This is a good fight, but Magomed Ankalaev is on a different level. This is a win-win scenario for their title shot next year, as they have the league’s longest active winning streak. He just needs to prove it. (Election: Ankalaev)

Christopher De Santiago: Ankalaev is already at the championship level and I think he proved it once again with the superiority of Aleksandar Rakic. I don’t think Rakic ​​poses much of a problem for Ankalaev skill-wise, but Ankalaev, who has nothing to lose and even a lot to gain with a potential title shot, better not underestimate what this heavy underdog is. (Election: Ankalaev)

consensus: Ankalayev, 4-1

Lerone Murphy vs. Dan Ige

Fernando Quiles Jr.: This is a good test for Murphy in another potential “Fight of the Night.” Murphy is good at finding his range and I don’t believe it will be any different here. Give me a three-round knockout where Murphy scores the decision win. (Selection: Murphy)

Mathew’s Riddle: While Ige was very dangerous, I think Murphy was smart enough to keep his distance and steal the unanimous decision. (Selection: Murphy)

Drew Beaupre: Ige had a strong 2024 after scoring a first-round knockout against Andre Fili and coming up short against Diego Lopes at UFC 303, but the promotion did him no favors in that matchup. “50K” certainly presents a tough fight for Murphy, but “Miracle” will secure another victory here and move one step closer to a featherweight title challenge in the process. (Selection: Murphy)

Zain Bando: This fight has potential for FOTN. I think Dan Ige is a little better all around and should be able to get a decision win. (Election: Ige)

Christopher De Santiago: Another fight, another solid test for undefeated Lerone Murphy. Considering that half of his fights ended by finish, the other by decision, and Ige has never been knocked out, I predict Murphy will outpoint Ige over three rounds for the decision victory. (Selection: Murphy)

consensus: Lerone Murphy, 4-1

Sharabutdin Magomedov vs Armen Petrosyan

Fernando Quiles Jr.: Petrosyan can make things interesting with his grappling, but I think Shara “Bullet” maintains his unbeaten streak by absorbing Armen’s shots and becoming a more effective striker. (Pick: Magomedov)

Mathew’s Riddle: It wouldn’t be a surprise if Armen beat Shara because Shara has been extremely impact-prone in most of her UFC performances. I’m waiting for the right man to open up Shara to the fullest, but I’m afraid it’s not Petrosyan. (Pick: Magomedov)

Drew Beaupre: This isn’t exactly a step up for Magomedov compared to his previous UFC opponents, but it’s a well-matched fight that should provide some entertainment to kick off the UFC 308 PPV. The big question heading into the fight is how much Petrosyan will try to use his grappling ability, but if Magomedov’s takedown defense holds up, he’ll need to add another win to his undefeated record. (Pick: Magomedov)

Zain Bando: These are two of the UFC’s top young prospects, but this fight is trying to push Shara into the “Bullet” and for good reason. If there is no madness from Armen Petrosyan, I expect a knockout at the end of the second round. (Pick: Magomedov)

Christopher De Santiago: I don’t think Shara Magomedov will stay undefeated in the UFC for long, but with Armen Petrosyan in front of him, I can see him keeping his 0 for another day. I think Magomedov has enough standing to get the referee’s decision if he can stay there. (Pick: Magomedov)

consensus: Magomedov, 5-0

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