Former UFC featherweight champion, Max Holloway, is expected to challenge reigning 145-pound titleholder, Ilia Topuria, for the 145-pound strap at one of the promotion’s upcoming pay-per-view (PPV) cards. While there have been rumors of a potential clash at Noche UFC inside The Sphere, the more likely destination is UFC 307 in Salt Lake City.
Holloway opened as the +150 betting underdog against Topuria, according to BetOnline.ag, with Topuria coming out of the gate as the -175 favorite. Expect that line to fluctuate (in both directions) as we get closer to fight night. As of this writing, the promotion has yet to make the contest official — though “Blessed” (26-7) faces little competition.
Especially after this mind-bending performance.
This marks the first title defense for the undefeated Topuria (15-0), who captured the crown with a second-round finish over Alex Volkanovski at UFC 298 back in February. “El Matador” has been criticized for dragging his feet in the months following his crowning achievement but can put those complaints to bed with a Holloway booking at UFC 307.
Stay tuned.