Max Holloway | UFC Betting Sites - The Best MMA Online Bookies

Aljamain Sterling discusses Max Holloway’s strategy against Topuria: ‘Fatigue could be key’

Aljamain Sterling discusses Max Holloway’s strategy against Topuria: 'Fatigue could be key' Former undisputed bantamweight champion, Aljamain Sterling has claimed “fatigue” could be an interesting factor ahead of October’s featherweight title…

Former undisputed bantamweight champion, Aljamain Sterling has claimed “fatigue” could be an interesting factor ahead of October’s featherweight title fight at UFC 308 between Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway — as he gears up for his own future title hopes.

Sterling, a former dominant undisputed bantamweight champion, and the current number eight ranked featherweight contender, is slated to return at UFC 307 at the beginning of the month, taking on surging Russian challenger, Movsar Evloev in a potential title-eliminator in Salt Lake City, Utah.

And making his featherweight divisional bow at UFC 300 back in April, Uniondale native, Sterling took home a dominant shutout unanimous decision win over perennial contender, Calvin Kattar, nullifying his striking prowess with an impressive, wrestling and grappling-heavy approach.

Aljamain Sterling deserves immediate title rematch UFC he's the champ Daniel Cormier — Mandatory Credit: Cooper Neil – Zuffa LLC

Aljamain Sterling claims Max Holloway is interesting test for Ilia Topuria

And sharing his thoughts on the October bantamweight title fight between Topuria and Holloway, Serra-Longo MMA staple, Sterling has claimed fatigue could be an interesting factor to keep an eye on ahead of the UFC 308 pairing.

“If Max (Holloway) could stay on his bike and touch him (Ilia) Topuria from the outside, it would be very interesting to see what happens in the later rounds,” Aljamain Sterling said on his YouTube channel. “We haven’t seen Topuria exhausted or tired yet. In round five with Josh Emmett, he was in the driver’s seat the whole time, but what happens if you could set a little fatigue in him?”

“Him having some failed takedown attempts, or even if he gets the takedowns and Max can get back up, it makes the fight very interesting where he starts to use up a lot more energy than expected,” Aljamain Sterling explained. “He’s always in your face with those spinning back-kicks. If Max gets back to the old-school Max, it’s a very intriguing fight.”

Aljamain Sterling discusses Max Holloway’s strategy against Topuria: ‘Fatigue could be key’

Former undisputed bantamweight champion, Aljamain Sterling has claimed “fatigue” could be an interesting factor ahead of October’s featherweight title…

Aljamain Sterling claims Max Holloway is interesting test for Ilia Topuria

Former Champ Analyzes Topuria vs. Holloway Title Fight At UFC 308: ‘What Happens If You Could Set A Little Fatigue In Him?’

Aljamain Sterling recently offered his insights on the upcoming featherweight title clash between reigning champion Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway at UFC 308. “El Matador” is gearing up to put his title on the line for the first time against Holloway in the headlining bout of an eagerly awaited pay-per-view event set to take place […]

Continue Reading Former Champ Analyzes Topuria vs. Holloway Title Fight At UFC 308: ‘What Happens If You Could Set A Little Fatigue In Him?’ at MMA News.

Aljamain Sterling recently offered his insights on the upcoming featherweight title clash between reigning champion Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway at UFC 308.

“El Matador” is gearing up to put his title on the line for the first time against Holloway in the headlining bout of an eagerly awaited pay-per-view event set to take place at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on October 26.

Topuria claimed the 145-pound championship with a stunning knockout of former titleholder Alexander Volkanovski in the second round at UFC 298 in February. He has secured five victories in under two rounds, dismantling formidable foes such as Bryce Mitchell, Jai Herbert, and Josh Emmett.

On the other hand, “Blessed” is preparing for his third bid to recapture the featherweight crown, which slipped from his grasp against Volkanovski back in December 2019. Despite two valiant rematch efforts that fell short, Holloway has roared back with a trio of victories. He is coming off a last-second knockout of Justin Gaethje in a lightweight showdown at UFC 300 in April, a victory that also crowned him the BMF champion.

Topuria has built his reputation on a combination of aggressive striking and powerful grappling. Meanwhile, Holloway’s extensive experience and resilience make him a daunting challenge for any opponent.

“Funk Master” suggests that if Holloway can expertly control the distance and fully capitalize on his reach advantage, he has a real shot at toppling Topuria.

Sterling Predicts Holloway Might Push Topuria To His Limits In Championship Rounds

During a recent appearance on Verse Us with Eric Nicksick, Sterling weighed in on the Topuria vs. Holloway clash at UFC 308. The former UFC bantamweight champion acknowledged “El Matador’s” knockout power, yet he pointed out several potential vulnerabilities.

Sterling believes that if Holloway can maintain the fight on the feet and execute his striking game with precision, it could spell trouble for the defending champion.

“Topuria is a savage; that guy can crack, but he struggled with Volkanovski in the first round,” Sterling said. “Enter Max Holloway: great footwork, high guard, long punches. He has shorter reach than Volkanovski, but his footwork is what helps him so much in his fights, and he’s great durability. So if he gets back to his kicking game and stays in his range—Topuria, I think, is 5’6″, maybe 5’7″. Max has a shorter reach for a guy at 145 pounds; I think it’s like 67″. So you look at that, you look at Topuria’s great grappling, but Max has great takedown defense. If Max could stay on his bike and touch him from the outside, it would be very interesting to see what happens in the later rounds.”

“Funk Master” went on to highlight that Topuria’s cardio remains relatively untested, and he suggested that if “Blessed” can extend the fight into the fourth and fifth rounds while maintaining a measured striking approach, it could pose yet another challenge for the undefeated Georgian-Spaniard.

“We haven’t seen Topuria [get] exhausted or tired yet. In round five with Josh Emmett, he was in the driver’s seat the whole time, but what happens if you could set a little fatigue in him—him having some failed takedown attempts, or even if he gets the takedowns and Max can get back up—it makes the fight very interesting. He’s always in your face with those spinning back kicks. If Max gets back to the old-school Max, it’s a very intriguing fight.”

Read More: Max Holloway Touted To Dispatch Ilia Topuria At UFC 308: ‘That’s Gonna Be His Downfall…’

Continue Reading Former Champ Analyzes Topuria vs. Holloway Title Fight At UFC 308: ‘What Happens If You Could Set A Little Fatigue In Him?’ at MMA News.

Max Holloway promises ‘Amazing’ finish over Ilia Topuria at UFC 308

Turning in one of the most exciting finish in the history of the Octagon earlier this year, symbolic BMF…

Turning in one of the most exciting finish in the history of the Octagon earlier this year, symbolic BMF champion, Max Holloway has urged fans to tune in for a similarly stunning stoppage at UFC 308 later this annum — as he takes on Ilia Topuria for the undisputed featherweight crown.

Holloway, a former undisputed featherweight titleholder under the banner of the promotion, is set to return to action in two months time at the end of October, travelling to Abu Dhabi, UAE to take on the unbeaten, Topuria in an undisputed featherweight championship clash.

Last time out, the Hawaiian favorite would land a spectacular buzzer-beating win over then-BMF champion, Justin Gaethje on the main card of UFC 300 back in April — flattening the Arizona native with a huge hook in the pocket, sending him to the canvas face-first.

As for Georgian-Spaniard, Topuria, the undefeated featherweight minted himself as undisputed gold holder back in February, felling common-opponent, Alexander Volkanovski with a vicious second round knockout — handing the Australian his first blemish at the featherweight limit to boot.

Max Holloway promises another spectacle in UFC 308 title fight

And predicting another exciting night of action on ‘Fight Island’ later this year in their UFC 308 headliner, Holloway vowed to land another stunning win, this time taking out Topuria.

“Every fight camp, it’s me versus me,” Max Holloway said on his official YouTube channel. “I got to go out there and I’ll outdo myself in every fight camp, you know?”

Everybody thought UFC 300 was amazing, wait till they get to see the outcome of UFC 308, it’s going to be a good one,” Max Holloway continued.

Earlier this month, Topuia issued a similar word of warning to Holloway — claiming the matchup with the ex-champion is tailor-made for his striking expertise.

“If he’s (Max Holloway) going to bring the same energy he brings in the last 10 seconds of every round, when he doest his (point to ground), I’m going to knock him out in the first round,” Ilia Topuria said. “Because in the moment he’s going to stop in the middle and start to exchange and punches with me. I recommend him to use a helmet, because he’s going to need.”

If he does it, even better for me,” Ilia Topuria explained. “Maybe I’m going to point to the ground. Maybe I will do all that because I’m going to feel so comfortable in that fight because I’m telling you, ever time I see him fight I’m like, ‘Everyone is going to be surprised when I knock him out,’ because I see him as luke such an easy matchup for me. If he thinks that I’m not right, prove me wrong. We’re going to be in the same Octagon, October 26. prove me wrong.”

Ilia Topuria Doubles Down: Max Holloway and Sean O’Malley Suck, Beat Both in the Same Night

Ilia Topuria doesn’t see any potential threats to his featherweight reign on the horizon. Following a second-round knockout of…

Ilia Topuria doesn’t see any potential threats to his featherweight reign on the horizon.

Following a second-round knockout of Alexander Volkanovski earlier this year, UFC 308 on October 26 in Abu Dhabi will be Topuria’s first attempt to defend the 145-pound crown when he meets former champion and reigning BMF titleholder Max Holloway.

Even before Topuria’s bout with ‘Blessed’ was booked, he already had another UFC champion calling him out. Reigning bantamweight king Sean O’Malley expressed interest in a superfight with ‘El Matador’ following his win over Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera earlier this year.

Unfortunately for him, Dana White quickly squashed any possibility of that bout being next, but Topuria is still more than willing to oblige. Hell, he’ll fight both Holloway and O’Malley on the same night if given the opportunity.

“When he pronounce those kind of things like, ‘If I win,’ it’s because he’s not very confident about himself,” Topuria told MMA Junkie. “First of all, he has a very tough match up ahead. If he does it, why not? Why not? I would love to have that fight. It’s like, thank you, God. For everyone, it’s going to be so huge.

“Like, ‘Ilia is fighting Max or he’s fighting Sean O’Malley.’ But in reality, I know that they both suck. I can do with them whatever I want to do. I can do it with both of them. I can beat them both in the same night. No problem” (h/t MMA Mania).

Ilia Topuria open to a move to 155

Topuria has gone 15-0 in his mixed martial arts with his victory over Volkanovski being the biggest highlight thus far. Along the way, ‘El Matador’ has fought at lightweight, though he never planned on making the 155-pound crown one of his career goals.

Of course, if the opportunity presents itself, it may be an offer he can’t refuse.

“To be honest, I could do it after the Volkanovski fight, but I decided to keep fighting in 145 and to defend my belt,” Topuria said. “Whenever it comes, I will be ready. After this one, after the fight with Max Holloway once I knock him out, maybe the UFC will call me and tell me that they want me to move up to 155, and I will be very happy with that decision.

“If not, I will keep defending my belt, keep doing my job. If anyone wants to test himself, I will be there. In 145, 155, 170 … I don’t care. I’m a fighter, and I’m the best fighter in the world. I’m not the average level of fighter.

“I respect Makhachev. I know what it takes to get inside that cage. I know all the sacrifices a person has to make to go inside that Octagon. I respect him, but there’s levels. I feel I represent the new generation of mixed martial arts. I bring a fight style that no one has, and no one had. I’m just improving the game. I’m just the new face of the game. It’s just a matter of time until everyone will realize this.”

Ilia Topuria will knock out Max Holloway if he points to the ground: ‘Such an easy matchup for me’

Undisputed featherweight champion, Ilia Topuria has vowed to knock out former divisional champion, Max Holloway ahead of their title…

Undisputed featherweight champion, Ilia Topuria has vowed to knock out former divisional champion, Max Holloway ahead of their title tangle in two months time at UFC 308 — goading the Hawaiian to try his nerve and invite him to trade in the center of the Octagon.

Topuria, the current undisputed featherweight champion, is slated to headline UFC 308 at the end of October in Abu Dhabi, UAE — taking on former champion and current symbolic BMF titleholder, Holloway in a championship grudge fight.

Initially, the promotion had targeted an undisputed lightweight title fight between pound-for-pound number one, Islam Makhachev and number one ranked division challenger, Arman Tsarukyan in a rematch, however, an unspecified arm injury suffered by the incumbent forced the scrapping of a matchup.

Winning his divisional crown in the main event of UFC 298 earlier this annum, Georgian-Spaniard, Topuria most recently ended the winning spree of common-foe, Alexander Volkanovski with a stunning second round knockout win in Anaheim, California.

Ilia Topuria vows to KO Max Holloway in the center of the Octagon

However, goading Hawaiian fan-favorite, Holloway ahead of UFC 308, Topuria has dared the ex-champion to share the center of the Octagon with him as he did en route to a stunning buzzer-beating knockout of Justin Gaethje on the main card of UFC 300 earlier this annum.

“If he’s (Max Holloway) going to bring the same energy he brings in the last 10 seconds of every round, when he doest his (point to ground), I’m going to knock him out in the first round,” Ilia Topuria told MMA Junkie. “Because in the moment he’s going to stop in the middle and start to exchange and punches with me. I recommend him to use a helmet, because he’s going to need.”