Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway: Odds, full fight preview and prediction | UFC 308

Final Preventing Championship (UFC) Featherweight champions Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway will conflict TONIGHT (Sat., Oct. 26, 2024) at UFC 308 from Etihad Enviornment in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Topuria enters his first title protection with an outright annoying quantity of self-confidence, however can anybody blame the 27-year-old “Matador” for feeling atop the world? His UFC profession couldn’t be going any extra easily. The undefeated champion is handing out knockouts with regularity and has totally dominated all of his opponents — he’s earned a little bit of swagger.

On the flip facet, Holloway has been the younger champion, seen rises and falls, and nonetheless emerged as probably the greatest on the earth. Actually, who has suffered extra painful title defeats and blown away expectations on the highest degree greater than Holloway? His profession is one-of-a-kind, and the Hawaiian can construct on his legacy additional by dethroning the primary standout champion of the following era.

Let’s take a more in-depth have a look at the betting odds and strategic keys for every athlete:

Photograph by Francois Nel/Zuffa LLC

Topuria vs. Holloway Betting Odds

• Ilia Topuria victory: -230
• Ilia Topuria by way of TKO/KO/DQ: +175
• Ilia Topuria by way of submission: +500
• Ilia Topuria by way of determination: +250
• Max Holloway victory: +190
• Max Holloway by way of TKO/KO/DQ: +550
• Max Holloway by way of submission: +2500
• Max Holloway by way of determination: +400
• Odds by way of DraftKings Sportsbook

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How Topuria Wins

Topuria is far more of a bull than matador. He’s not sloppy — except the Bryce Mitchell battle, by which it was clear Topuria had ZERO regard for his opponent — however Topuria excels at inching in the direction of his opponents, backing them to the fence, then unleashing heinously highly effective mixtures.

Regardless of Topuria’s wrestling and grappling experience, this seems like a hanging match, as a result of no person has ever been in a position to floor Holloway constantly. It could most likely be a waste of vitality to actually strive, although a takedown feint or two isn’t a nasty thought to maintain the Hawaiian trustworthy.

For Topuria, this bout is all about closing by Holloway’s diverse vary offense of jabs, teeps, and facet kicks. Holloway may be very, excellent at stranding opponents on the sting of his feints and distance strikes. Topuria simply needed to cope with the same problem in Volkanovski, however Holloway has much more instruments at his disposal.

Getting inside means taking away Holloway’s weapons. Topuria’s calf kick ought to return with a vengeance, each as a counter to the jab and return off Holloway’s kicks. The Spanish athlete needs to be aware in figuring out the actual jabs from the fakes — jabbing with Holloway may assist right here — after which fireplace when he will get his timing.

Finally, Topuria has to benefit from his moments when Holloway’s again is to the fence. Knocking out Holloway could also be functionally unattainable, however hurting him can nonetheless win the battle.

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How Holloway Wins

Holloway is the best quantity striker in UFC historical past, and he pairs that legendary cardio with a flexible strategy to kickboxing. We’ve seen Holloway stress and battle at distance, work from each stances, and even alter his positioning totally based mostly on the opponent.

Regardless of being some of the fearsome punchers Holloway has ever confronted, this battle might name for a rise in stress and aggression. Topuria has grown very accustomed to fighters feeling less-than-confident in exchanges, which means he will get to dictate the tempo and explode ahead into punches.

We actually haven’t seen Topuria pressured onto his again foot. Josh Emmett had the ability to strive, however he’s by no means been a stress boxer and was content material to work from the skin. Holloway, conversely, has the ability, sturdiness, and expertise to attempt to drive Topuria onto his again foot. That’s to not say he ought to be reckless, however there’s each probability Topuria’s counters aren’t practically as highly effective as his costs.

In any other case, I’d actually wish to see Holloway pull out all of his kicking instruments right here. Topuria fights principally as a boxer, and Holloway can greatest make the most of that with a wide range of kicks. He ought to be facet kicking the thigh, blasting energy rounds kicks from each stances, spinning, and following punches with excessive kicks to either side, making an attempt to catch Topuria slipping into his shin.

Photograph by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC by way of Getty Photographs

Topuria vs. Holloway Prediction

It’s actually exhausting to go in opposition to the fighter who appears the a part of a future pound-for-pound king.

Holloway is nice and nonetheless has a lot left within the tank. He has extra instruments on the toes and will win the battle in a wide range of methods. The top kick KO shouldn’t be discounted. Sadly, it’s simply too exhausting to miss the truth that Holloway has by no means been unattainable to hit, and Topuria has nuclear bombs in his fists. If any mixture goes to place Holloway chilly, I might guess on that Topuria 2-3-2.

Backside line: Holloway provides account of himself, however the velocity and energy of the youthful champion typically lets him dictate exchanges and win the battle.

Prediction: Topuria by way of determination (+250)