Final Combating Championship (UFC) travels to the Center East this weekend (Sat., Oct. 26, 2024) for its super-stacked twelfth pay-per-view (PPV) occasion of the season, UFC 308, from inside Etihad Area in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
In UFC 308’s PPV essential occasion, newly-minted Featherweight kingpin, Ilia Topuira, makes his highly-anticipated first title protection towards Baddest Motherf—ker (BMF), Max Holloway. Within the co-main occasion, Khamzat Chimaev FINALLY returns (fingers crossed) towards former Middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker.
UFC 308 is completely crafted with enjoyable fights from high to backside, so earlier than all of it goes down from “Combat Island,” let’s checkout some random storylines, tidbits and statistics forward of showtime …
Greatest Combat For The Relaxation Of 2024
There have been some completely unbelievable fights in 2024, however the primary occasion of 308 between Topuria vs. Holloway is by far the most effective struggle for the remainder of the 12 months, and there’s an argument for the most effective struggle of 2024.
There may be a lot to this struggle. The trash speak has been fairly heated, however it’s the technical facet that’s so intriguing—Topuria’s boxing vs. Holloway’s boxing, energy vs. quantity, the peak distinction, and the brand new guard vs. the outdated guard.
Fighter Of The 12 months?
Will probably be powerful for anybody to topple Alex Pereira as 2024’s “Fighter of the 12 months,” but when Topuria goes out and finishes Holloway, he could have a declare. One, as a result of Holloway has solely been stopped as soon as in his legendary profession, and two, as a result of Topuria has already knocked out former Featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski.
The Massive 30
UFC 308 will probably be Holloway’s thirtieth struggle contained in the octagon. The 32-year-old made his UFC debut approach again at UFC 143 in 2012 towards Dustin Poirier.
Foremost Eventers
UFC 308 will probably be Topuria’s third UFC essential occasion—his third consecutive (UFC 298, UFC Jacksonville). Will probably be Holloway’s eleventh time headlining a UFC card.
Title Combat Vet
Holloway has competed in 10 title fights.
Knock On Wooden
After quite a few sicknesses and setbacks, Chimaev returns to competitors this weekend, however everybody studying this should cease and knock on wooden as a result of there’s nonetheless time for “Borz” to drag out.
Chimaev has not fought since UFC 294, the place he defeated Kamaru Usman. Previous to that, he fought Kevin Holland at UFC 279.
All indicators level to Chimaev being wholesome as soon as once more and able to get again on monitor.
Rebooked!
Chimaev and Whittaker had been purported to conflict on the essential occasion of UFC’s first-ever present in Saudi Arabia earlier this summer time; nonetheless, “Borz” pulled out every week earlier than the struggle. Whittaker went on to knock out Ikram Aliskerov.
Now, they lastly throw down.
5 Spherical Co-Foremost
One last item about Chimaev vs. Whittaker … they’re combating for 5 rounds. And it is sensible as a result of there are loads of stakes hooked up to it, like a attainable Middleweight title shot.
Thanks, Now Combat This Killer
Earlier this 12 months, Dan Ige obtained legendary standing and stepped in on 4 hours’ discover to struggle Diego Lopes. Whereas he didn’t win the struggle, he was ultra-competitive. UFC CEO Dana White stated he would do something for Ige due to his badassness.
Effectively, that lasted all of two weeks as a result of after Ige didn’t get a spot at UFC 306, one thing he requested for, he bought booked towards undefeated killer Lerone Murphy.
Wahoo!!!
Pirate Returns
High prospect Sharabutdin Magomedov, aka the Russian fighter with one eye, is kicking off the PPV essential card. He’s 3-0 to date contained in the promotion however is combating his hardest take a look at tomorrow: kickboxing champion Armen Petrosyan.
Welcome To UFC!
Two fighters make their UFC debut this weekend.
- Raffael Cerqueira (11-0) fights Ibo Aslan. Cerqueira was purported to compete in season eight of Contender Collection however was referred to as to struggle at UFC 308 as a substitute. Cerqueira holds a 91% end fee with eight knockouts.
Goodbye Light-weight
Former UFC legend and Light-weight champion Rafael Dos Anjos returns tomorrow, and he’s lastly executed slicing to 155 kilos. He’ll keep at Welterweight for the remainder of his profession, which he says is 4 extra fights (the remainder of his remaining contract).
RDA has had so-so outcomes at Welterweight and can struggle knockout artist Geoff Neal.
Oh, and he’s combating on his birthday.
‘Huggy Bear’ Returns
After 25 months away from the cage due to accidents and different life issues, fan-favorite Heavyweight, Chris Barnett, returns to the cage. He was final in motion at UFC 279 towards Jake Collier.
Barnett welcomes former 205-pound standout, Kennedy Nzechukwu, to the Heavyweight division.
Weigh-In Fiasco
The third struggle on the “Prelims” between Faird Basharat and Victor Hugo was purported to be contested at Bantamweight. Nonetheless, Hugo got here in 10 lbs chubby, which might often cancel a struggle. Minutes earlier than the early morning weigh-in, Hugo let Basharat’s workforce know he was heavy, and the struggle was modified to a Featherweight bout.
Yikes.
UFC 308 Combat Chief
The fighter with probably the most profession fights competing at UFC 308 is dos Anjos (48).
UFC 308 Combat Rookie
The fighter with the least quantity of profession fights competing at UFC 308 is Cerqueira (11).
UFC 308 Knockout King
The fighter with probably the most quantity of profession knockouts competing at UFC 308 is Abus Magomedov (14).
UFC 308 Submission Savant
The fighter with probably the most quantity of profession submissions competing at UFC 308 is RDA (11).
Winners And Losers
Eighteen fighters are coming off wins, whereas seven are coming off losses.
Multi-Divisions
Listed below are the divisions that will probably be on show this Saturday:
- One Heavyweight struggle
- Two Gentle Heavyweight fights
- 4 Middleweight fights
- Two Welterweight fights
- One Light-weight
- Two Featherweight fights
- One Bantamweight struggle
Beta Canine
Based on Fan Duel, UFC 308’s “greatest” underdog is Barnett at .
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