UFC 308, one of the most anticipated events of the year, will feature the clash between Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway in Abu Dhabi on October 26. Topuria, the Spanish-Georgian fighter who has captured the attention of mixed martial arts fans, is ready to defend his featherweight title in what will be his first official defense. Initially, his strategy seemed focused exclusively on striking, but Topuria has decided to broaden his options and is not ruling out using his ground game, a facet he has kept under wraps for much of his UFC career.
The ‘Matador’ Adjusts His Strategy
In his latest statements, Ilia Topuria mentioned that while he would like to knock Holloway out in a striking exchange, he is willing to take the fight to the ground if necessary: “If I take him down, I don’t think he can stop my submissions,” he said in an interview with journalist Kevin Iole. The fighter emphasized that despite his striking skills, he believes his ground game is even more dominant. This new strategy adds an element of uncertainty to the fight, as Holloway has not faced anyone with Topuria’s ground capabilities.
While Topuria has mentioned that he might opt to submit Holloway, his preference for striking is not a coincidence. In the UFC, fighters who win by knockout tend to generate more buzz among fans. The case of light heavyweight champion Álex Pereira is a clear example of this, as he has gained popularity not only for his victories but for the decisiveness of his knockouts. Ilia Topuria is well aware of this reality and knows that a knockout victory over Holloway could further boost his media presence in the sport.
A Formidable Opponent
Max Holloway, on the other hand, is an experienced fighter who has proven to be a tough contender, with a career that has solidified him as one of the best in his division. Holloway returns with the intention of reclaiming the belt. However, Topuria is confident that his ability to adapt to different situations will be the key to emerging victorious. Throughout his career, he has knocked out formidable opponents like Alexander Volkanovski, but he has also demonstrated that his ground skills can be devastating, as evidenced by his fight against Bryce Mitchell, whom he submitted with authority.
As UFC 308 approaches, expectations surrounding the fight continue to grow. Although Holloway is a high-caliber opponent, Topuria’s versatility and willingness to use any tool at his disposal make him an unpredictable adversary: “I can decide to take Max down whenever I want,” Topuria stated, hinting that he has full control of the fight. The Spanish-Georgian has repeatedly shown that he is capable of finishing fights decisively, both on the ground and standing up.
The duel between Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway will not only be decisive for the future of the featherweight division, but it will also mark a milestone in the history of combat sports in Spain. With his eyes set on Abu Dhabi, Topuria is preparing to defend his title and continue his rise in the UFC, knowing that the entire world will be watching his next move inside the octagon.
