UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organisation, makes its return to Abu Dhabi with a title fight for the ages as UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria faces off against No. 2 ranked Max Holloway. The co-main event features 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.
Held in partnership with Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), UFC® 308: TOPURIA vs HOLLOWAY tickets went on sale Tuesday, August 6, via etihadarena.ae and Ticketmaster.ae.
In addition to being the second UFC event in Abu Dhabi this year, UFC® 308: TOPURIA vs HOLLOWAY marks a milestone as the 20th UFC event held 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 like 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.
VIP Experience packages for UFC® 308: TOPURIA vs HOLLOWAY are available via On Location, UFC’s Official VIP Experience Provider. The exclusive packages offer premium seating, VIP access to weigh-ins, all-inclusive hospitality, meet-and-greets with UFC athletes, and more. For more information and to view package details, visit UFCvip.com.
Topuria (15-0-0, fighting out of Spain by way of Georgia) aims to defend his featherweight title against world-class striker Holloway. Topuria boasts a resumé of nine first-round finishes and dethroning UFC legend Alex Volkanovski of the featherweight title earlier this year. The fight promises to deliver a no-holds-barred spectacle in the UAE’s capital.
Holloway (26-7-0, fighting out of Hawaii, United States of America), 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 New South Wales, Australia) hopes to deliver a showstopping co-main event fresh off his victory over Ikram Aliskerov at UFC’s inaugural event in Saudi Arabia. Whittaker aims 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 United Arab Emirates), 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.
Additional bouts on the card include:
- Ciryl “Bon Gamin” Gane (12-2-0, fighting out of Vincennes, France) takes on Alexander “Drago” Volkov(38-10-0, fighting out of Moscow, Russia) in a heavyweight matchup.
- Magomed Ankalaev (19-1-1, fighting out of Dagestan, Russia) faces Aleksandar “Rocket” Rakic (14-4-0, fighting out of Vienna, Austria) in the Octagon for a light heavyweight bout.
- Marcos Rogerio”Pezao” de Lima (22-9-1, fighting out of Sao Paulo, Brazil) clashes with Kennedy “African Savage” Nzechukwu (12-5-0, fighting out of Texas, USA) in a heavyweight face off.
- It’s a battle of welterweight fighters as Rinat “Gladiator” Fakhretdinov (23-2-1, fighting out of Moscow, Russia) faces off against Nursulton “Black” Ruziboev (34-9-2, fighting out of Pennsylvania, USA).
- Geoff “Handz of Steel” Neal (15-6-0, fighting out of Texas, USA) meets Rafael Dos Anjos (32-16-0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) in a battle of the lightweights
- Lerone “The Miracle” Murphy (14-0-1, fighting out of Manchester, England) locks horns with Dan “50K” Ige(18-8-0, fighting out of Hawaii, USA) in a featherweight bout.
- Abus Magomedov (26-6-1, fighting out of Düsseldorf, Germany) takes on Brunno Ferreira (12-1-0, fighting out of Parana, Brazil) in a middleweight bout.
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