Tag: UFC 308

UFC Featherweight On How Ego Can Affect Topuria vs Holloway: ‘Max Knows Better…’

The main event of UFC 308 is one of the year’s biggest and best fights as the featherweight title is on the line in Abu Dhabi. Undefeated champion Ilia Topuria has smashed his way through this division whilst facing very little adversity coming back the other way. After stopping Alexander Volkanovski earlier this year, he […]

Continue Reading UFC Featherweight On How Ego Can Affect Topuria vs Holloway: ‘Max Knows Better…’ at MMA News.

The main event of UFC 308 is one of the year’s biggest and best fights as the featherweight title is on the line in Abu Dhabi.

Undefeated champion Ilia Topuria has smashed his way through this division whilst facing very little adversity coming back the other way.

After stopping Alexander Volkanovski earlier this year, he now faces the other all-time great 145-pounder of this era in Max Holloway.

Holloway likely would have reigned as the champion for a long time if it wasn’t for Volkanovski, when you look at his record.

Now we will find out whether “Blessed” can regain the gold against a dangerous but less experienced opponent.

Jonathan Pearce Believes That Max Holloway’s Experience May Be Crucial

There weren’t any signs in Topuria’s title-winning performance that he was suffering from a lack of experience, even if he can get heated on fight week.

UFC featherweight Jonathan Pearce believes that Holloway’s decision-making could be a defining factor in this fight because he knows when to engage with Topuria and when to stay on the outside.

“Blessed” has been known to throw caution to the wind from time to time but as we saw at UFC 300, he’s at home in the chaos.

When asked whether he thinks these two men will be able to replicate something similar to this iconic moment from earlier this year, Pearce gave this response.

“I think so but I don’t think Topuria’s ready for that. I think he can hang with it for a while but I think he doesn’t have the experience that Max has if that happens. I think that Max knows better than to step in sometimes. He won’t let his ego get in control where you got a younger fighter that just needs to believe in himself.”

Pearce is set to face Pat Sabatini on October 12 at the UFC Apex.

Read also: ‘Selfish’ UFC Told To Financially Compensate Michael Chandler For Conor McGregor Wait

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Stacked UFC 308 Lineup Takes A Hit As Main Card Fight Gets Postponed

While still loaded with prominent names and big stakes, next month’s UFC 308 pay-per-view has lost one of its main card matchups. After staging a UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi early last month, mixed martial arts’ leading promotion will soon be back in the Middle East for its annual October numbered event at the […]

Continue Reading Stacked UFC 308 Lineup Takes A Hit As Main Card Fight Gets Postponed at MMA News.

While still loaded with prominent names and big stakes, next month’s UFC 308 pay-per-view has lost one of its main card matchups.

After staging a UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi early last month, mixed martial arts’ leading promotion will soon be back in the Middle East for its annual October numbered event at the Etihad Arena.

And the UFC has put together a stacked card for the occasion, headlined by a highly anticipated featherweight title fight between Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway. Setting the stage for them will be a rearranged middleweight showdown that sees Khamzat Chimaev return against Robert Whittaker.

Among a slew of other ranked collisions was set to be a heavyweight rematch between former interim champion Ciryl Gane and charging Russian Alexander Volkov. That, however, doesn’t appear to be the case anymore.

Per French outlet La Sueur, the bout has been postponed due to an injury on the side of “Drago.” The pair are now expected to run back their 2021 bout at UFC 310 in Las Vegas on December 7.

With this news, the current fights expected to take place at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi on Oct. 26 are as follows:

  • Ilia Topuria (C) vs. Max Holloway (featherweight championship main event)
  • Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev (middleweight co-main event)
  • Magomed Ankalaev vs. Aleksandar Raki? (light heavyweight)
  • Lerone Murphy vs. Dan Ige (featherweight)
  • Geoff Neal vs. Rafael dos Anjos (welterweight)
  • Sharabutdin Magomedov vs. Armen Petrosyan (middleweight)
  • Rinat Fakhretdinov vs. Nursulton Ruziboev (welterweight)
  • Said Nurmagomedov vs. Daniel Santos (bantamweight)
  • Mateusz R?becki vs. Myktybek Orolbai (lightweight)
  • Bruno Silva vs. Ismail Naurdiev (middleweight)
  • Farid Basharat vs. Victor Hugo (bantamweight)
  • Justin Tafa vs. Kennedy Nzechukwu (heavyweight)
  • Abus Magomedov vs. Brunno Ferreira (middleweight)
  • Ibo Aslan vs. Raffael Cerqueira (light heavyweight)

Continue Reading Stacked UFC 308 Lineup Takes A Hit As Main Card Fight Gets Postponed at MMA News.

Max Holloway Addresses Gun Violence: ‘Put the Guns Down, Play Video Games or Box Instead’

Max Holloway Addresses Gun Violence: ‘Put the Guns Down, Play Video Games or Box Instead'Max Holloway is tired of seeing reports of gun violence and school shootings. According to a report from CNN,…

Max Holloway Addresses Gun Violence: ‘Put the Guns Down, Play Video Games or Box Instead'

Max Holloway is tired of seeing reports of gun violence and school shootings.

According to a report from CNN, there have been at least 49 school shootings in the United States as of September 13, 2024, leaving 24 people dead and at least 65 other victims injured. It’s an issue that seems to get worse year after year, yet little is done to try and curb the unnecessary deaths of innocent children, college students, and faculty members.

With lawmakers choosing to offer their thoughts and prayers and little else, ‘Blessed’ is doing his part to encourage people to put down their guns and handle things “the old-school way.”

“Put the guns down boys,” Holloway told local station KHON2 News. “If you guys got a problem, do it the old-school way. Go to the boxing gym, put on some gloves, and punch each other… Play video games or something. Why shoot somebody, go play Apex or Call of Duty. Keep the violence off the streets.”

One can’t help but recall the impassioned speech that the late great John Witherspoon delivered to Ice Cube in the cult classic comedy film Friday.

30 years later his words are as relevant today as they were then.

Max Holloway looks to take Ilia Topuria’s title and his ‘O’ at uFC 308

The last time fight fans saw Max Holloway in action, ‘Blessed’ delivered perhaps the Knockout of the Year when he scored a buzzer-beating KO against Justin Gaethje to claim the BMF title at UFC 300.

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On Saturday, October 26, Holloway will attempt to add another belt to his collection when he challenges reigning featherweight champion Ilia Topuria at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi.

It will be Topuria’s first time defending his 145-pound belt following his stunning second-round knockout of Alexander Volkanovski in February.

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Topuria goes into the bout with a perfect 15-0 record. Holloway, on the other hand, will be making his 30th walk to the Octagon and competing in his 10th career title fight inside the Octagon. Blessed’ has held both the interim and undisputed featherweight titles with successful defenses against Jose Aldo, Brian Ortega, and Frankie Edgar.

The first-ballot Hall of Famer also holds wins over Calvin Kattar, Yair Rodriguez, Arnold Allen, and The Korean Zombie.

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Khamzat Chimaev Hopes Donald Trump is Elected, Blaming Democrats For Visa Issues

Khamzat Chimaev Hopes Donald Trump is Elected, Blaming Democrats For Visa IssuesKhamzat Chimaev seems to think the Democrats are to blame for his lack of Stateside fights. After a fast…

Khamzat Chimaev Hopes Donald Trump is Elected, Blaming Democrats For Visa Issues

Khamzat Chimaev seems to think the Democrats are to blame for his lack of Stateside fights.

After a fast and furious start to his UFC career that saw him score three wins over the course of eight weeks, ‘Borz’ has barely averaged one fight per year since 2021 for a variety of reasons, most of them associated with his continued health problems.

Recently, Chimaev was scheduled to headline the promotion’s debut in Saudi Arabia on June 22 against Robert Whittaker but was forced to bow out after becoming “violently ill” with an undisclosed illness.

Khamzat Chimaev

Now, the undefeated Chechen star is expected back inside the Octagon on October 26 when the promotion heads back to Abu Dhabi for UFC 308 at Etihad Arena. Chimaev is once again slated to fight ‘The Reaper’ in what is being touted as a middleweight title eliminator, though ‘Borz’ isn’t entirely convinced that the UFC will make good on its promise.

“I don’t know we will see,” Chimaev told Alex Zubayraev. “They promise me a title eliminator every time… When I fought Gilbert Burns it was the No.1 contender fight. After the Kamaru Usman fight I didn’t get the title shot either. Now it’s the third time… Let’s see, hopefully” (h/t Sportskeeda).

Khamzat Chimaev

Chimaev isn’t entirely wrong in his statement, but if he’s truly looking for somebody to blame for his lack of title opportunities, he may want to take a look in the mirror. Chimaev has seen six previously scheduled matchups canceled over the last few years, at least four of them the result of his own illnesses or weight-cutting issues.

Another problem seems to be the fact that ‘Borz’ can’t get cleared to enter the United States due to his close relationship with Chechen warlord Ramzan Kadyrov. However, Chimaev thinks much of that can be resolved should GOP nominee Donald Trump win the upcoming U.S. presidential election on November 5.

“As long as Donald Trump is not the president [of the United States] we can’t come back to the U.S. Maybe that’s the reason. Let’s not cover the truth. But I’m not upset. Whenever they let me fight I will fight. Whenever I get the belt let it be and even if I don’t get the belt I will still be the champion without the belt.”

Khamzat Chimaev moved to UAE in hopes of Resolving his travel dilemma

Earlier this year, Chimaev’s jiu-jitsu coach Alan Nascimento revealed that the fighter was in fact encountering difficulties entering the United States and has since moved to the United Arab Emirates to try and mitigate his travel-related issues.

“[Chimaev] just got a 10-year visa in Abu Dhabi and will apply for a type of passport here in the UAE, something like a citizenship, that could be used for travels,” Nascimento told MMA Fighting. “Many Russian athletes are suffering with that. Chechens, Dagestani, Russians in general. But I think things will start to flow for Chimaev soon, and for other athletes too.”

“Sports save lives. To see athletes, people that have never committed any crimes and are just trying to live life in a positive manner and serve as example for the next generations, to pay the price and be unable to work because of problems caused by other people, I don’t think it’s fair. I don’t think it’s right. People might condemn what I’m saying, but what does an athlete have to do with a war started by two people that have nothing to do with sports?”

Khamzat Chimaev

‘Max Holloway Forever A Legend’ – MMA Fans React As ‘Blessed’ Speaks Out Against Gun Violence

Max Holloway recently garnered widespread fan admiration after making a heartfelt plea to end gun violence, offering a unique suggestion to tackle the serious issue. “Blessed” is preparing for his third crack at featherweight gold as he challenges reigning champion Ilia Topuria in the highly anticipated main event of UFC 308, set for October 26 […]

Continue Reading ‘Max Holloway Forever A Legend’ – MMA Fans React As ‘Blessed’ Speaks Out Against Gun Violence at MMA News.

Max Holloway recently garnered widespread fan admiration after making a heartfelt plea to end gun violence, offering a unique suggestion to tackle the serious issue.

“Blessed” is preparing for his third crack at featherweight gold as he challenges reigning champion Ilia Topuria in the highly anticipated main event of UFC 308, set for October 26 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Holloway is a proud native of Hawaii and consistently bears the mantle of his home state with him wherever he goes. He’s fiercely devoted to the causes of the “Aloha State”, and his deep-rooted dedication to Hawaii and its people is unmistakable.

Whether it’s partnering with the UFC to establish a fitness clubhouse for the youth in Waianae or passionately advocating for support and raising funds during the devastating 2023 wildfires on the island of Maui, “Blessed” has consistently shown a deep emotional connection and commitment to the native Hawaiian community.

MMA Fans Applaud Holloway’s Resolute Position Against Gun Violence In Hawaii

During an interview with KHON2 News on Tuesday, Holloway addressed the recent series of shooting incidents in Waianae. The BMF titleholder strongly condemned the growing gun violence across the United States, urging people to resolve their conflicts in a boxing gym instead of resorting to firearms.

“It sucks, man. Put the gun down, boys. Put ‘em down. If you guys have a problem, do it the old-school way,” Holloway said. “Go to the boxing gym, put on some gloves, punch each other, shake hands, and be on with it.”

“Blessed” went on to suggest that instead of turning to gun violence, people should channel their frustrations into something harmless, like playing video games.

The MMA community responded to Holloway’s remarks with a wave of support, widely praising the UFC superstar for his unconventional and thoughtful suggestions.

One fan embraced Holloway’s notion, stating that guns never solve any problems and only create more chaos.

“Holloway is on point. You never settle a dispute with a gun. It’s not worth ending a life and ruining your own.”

Another fan jokingly remarked that Holloway is the only fighter capable of simultaneously holding both the “Baddest Motherf**ker” and the “Nicest Motherf**ker” titles.

“Max the only fighter that can hold the BMF and NMF belt simultaneously.”

One fan remarked that “Blessed” is a true treasure for the people of Hawaii.

“Good to see Max being a benefit to his community. Hope he beats Topuria.”

One fan playfully suggested that Holloway should throw his hat into the ring for the U.S. presidency.

“Max Holloway for POTUS 2025.”

“Max Holloway is forever a legend. Gangster move.”

“Max out here doing the Lord’s work.”

“Spoken like a true man.”

“What a natural-born leader this guy is. Much respect.”

“Because people are soft now and scared to lose a fistfight.”

Continue Reading ‘Max Holloway Forever A Legend’ – MMA Fans React As ‘Blessed’ Speaks Out Against Gun Violence at MMA News.

Dricus du Plessis reacts to Khamzat Chimaev barb: ‘Before you catch another cold’

Dricus du Plessis reacts to Khamzat Chimaev barb: 'Before you catch another cold'Undisputed middleweight champion, Dricus du Plessis has added fuel to the fire of his rivalry with the unbeaten, Khamzat…

Dricus du Plessis reacts to Khamzat Chimaev barb: 'Before you catch another cold'

Undisputed middleweight champion, Dricus du Plessis has added fuel to the fire of his rivalry with the unbeaten, Khamzat Chimaev ahead of his return at UFC 308 last month — urging him to not withdraw from an Abu Dhabi return — poking fun at his recent exit from a summer comeback.

du Plessis, the current undisputed middleweight champion, most recently headlined UFC 304 back in August in Perth, Australia — successfully defending his titleholder for the first time in a dominant, eventual fourth round rear-naked choke submission win over former two-time champion, Israel Adesanya.

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As for the undefeated, Chimaev, the Chechen-born challenger has been out of action since he co-headlined UFC 294 a year ago in the Middle East — narrowly retaining his unbeaten record in a contentious majority decision win over former undisputed welterweight gold holder, Kamaru Usman.

And booked to headline UFC Fight Night Riyadh back in June in Saudi Arabia, the unbeaten, Chimaev was ruled from a matchup with former middleweight kingpin, Robert Whittaker — with an apparent “violent” illness forcing the AllStars MMA staple from his premiere headliner in the promotion.

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Dricus du Plessis pokes fun at Khamzat Chimaev’s inactivity

However, now booked co-main event UFC 308 at the end of next month in a rescheduled five round clash with the above-mentioned, Whittaker, Chimaev was the subject of a barb from South African star, Dricus du Plessis — who mocked his recent inactivity.

Robert Whittaker - Khamzat Chimaev off, then back on as UFC 308 co-Main event fight

“Put on a shirt princess before you catch another cold,” Dricus du Plessis posted in response to a social media status from the above-mentioned, Khamzat Chimaev.

Expected to take on former champion, Sean Strickland in a title fight rematch next — du Plessis is also sure to have his sights firmly set on the outcome of next month’s title eliminator between Chimaev and the above-mentioned Whittaker — whom he stopped with a brutal knockout last year during International Fight Week.