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- Other featured bout at Etihad Arena in October sees Robert Whittaker face Khamzat Chimaev
ABU DHABI: A strong card for UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi features featherweight champion Ilia Topuria taking on No. 2 ranked Max Holloway.
The co-main event will feature a clash of top middleweights: No. 3 ranked contender Robert Whittaker and No. 11 ranked Khamzat Chimaev in a five-round matchup with title implications.
In addition to being the second UFC event in Abu Dhabi this year, UFC 308: Topuria v Holloway on Oct. 26 marks a milestone as the 20th event held by a leading world MMA brand in the UAE over the past decade.
Over the 10 years, the world’s fastest-growing sport has seen new and established fans experience global MMA talent take the Middle Eastern stage and enter the Octagon. From international UFC icons such as Conor McGregor to homegrown MMA athletes Mohammad Yahya making his UFC debut, the region has experienced a series of historic UFC events, contributing to the sport’s growth in the Middle East and marking a significant addition to Abu Dhabi’s sports calendar
Topuria (15-0-0, fighting out of Spain by way of Georgia) aims to defend his featherweight title against world-class striker Holloway, and boasts a resume of nine first-round finishes and dethroning UFC legend Alex Volkanovski of the featherweight title earlier this year.
Holloway (26-7-0, fighting out of Hawaii in the US), enters the Octagon in Abu Dhabi after an emphatic win over Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 to take the fan-favorite BMF title — one of only three BMF titles to ever be awarded. Holloway sets his sights on regaining the featherweight title this October.
Whittaker (26-7-0, fighting out of NSW, Australia), fresh off his victory over Ikram Aliskerov at UFC’s inaugural event in Saudi Arabia, will aim to defend his winning streak in the middleweight division and mark his legacy, as his long-awaited matchup against Chimaev comes to fruition.
Chimaev (13-0-0, fighting out of the UAE), enters the Octagon off a career-defining win against Kamaru Usman. With six wins by knockout, five by submission, and eight first round finishes, all eyes are on Chimaev as he aims to continue his undefeated streak.