UFC 308 was all it was cracked up to be, perhaps even more. We saw spectacular performances in the main and co-main events and some great fights.
Here are the five biggest takeaways from UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.
Ilia Topuria is the Real Deal
Topuria reminds me a lot of Gervonta Davis.
He is a shorter power puncher who appears to lose the early portion of most of his fights against elite competition. However, he seems always to track his prey down, and when he catches them, Topuria finishes.
When a young fighter who is oozing with confidence begins to predict big things for himself and follows through by accomplishing their goals, that’s when you know you’re dealing with someone special.
Topuria has risen to that level. We can no longer suggest he hasn’t fought top competition. Critics can no longer pull random names and suggest fighters with any particular dominant style could give Topuria a tough fight.
We now have to wonder how far he can go as he continues on a dominant run.
Khamzat Chimaev is a Scary Dude
I’ve never seen Robert Whittaker or anyone of his ilk tap out so quickly from a submission. After UFC 308, we discovered why a guy as tough as Whittaker would submit quickly to Khamzat Chimaev.
The face crank Chimaev locked in on Whittaker’s face and jaw so tightly that the lower part of the latter’s grill collapsed. Here is a look at Dr. Brian Sutterer breaking down the extent of Whittaker’s injury.
During the post-fight presser, Dana White discussed the possibility of Chimaev leaping over Sean Strickland to challenge Khamzat Chimaev for the middleweight crown.
Chimaev is beyond legit.
Shara Bullet Looks Like the Next Middleweight Superstar
You may not see a better KO than the one Shara Magomedov pulled off on Saturday against Armen Petrosyan. In case you missed it, here is a look at the double-spinning back-fist KO.
No matter how long you watch MMA, you may never see another KO like this one. Shara Bullet has the “it” factor, and he understands the art of the callout.
After the fight, Shara called out Israel Adesanya. That fight could be amazing, and if Shara wins, he launches himself into superstardom.
Alex Pereira Has to Fight Magomed Ankalaev Next
Ankalaev has criticized the UFC and Alex Pereira for denying him a shot at the UFC light heavyweight title. It doesn’t seem like Ankalaev will have to wait much longer.
During Ankalaev’s unanimous decision win over Aleksandar Rakic, the former vowed he’d never shoot for a takedown.
He didn’t and was just as effective en route to the win. According to Dana White, Ankalaev is next for Pereira.
Ibo Aslan is a Name You Should Remember
Aslan made quick work of the previously undefeated Rafael Cerqueira. It took Aslan just under a minute to secure the win, and now the powerful light heavyweight could be headed for a main card fight his next time out.
Here is a look at all of the results from UFC 308. The bonus award winners are in bold.
- (c) Ilia Topuria def. Max Holloway – UFC Featherweight Championship via TKO in the third round
- Khamzat Chimaev def. Robert Whittaker via submission in the first round (face crank)
- Magomed Ankalaev def. Aleksandar Rakic via unanimous decision 29-28×3
- Lerone Murphy def. Dan Ige via unanimous decision 29-28×3
- Shara Magomedov def. Armen Petrosyan via KO in the second round
- Ibo Aslan def. Raffael Cerqueira via KO in the first round
- Geoff Neal def. Rafael dos Anjos via TKO in the first round
- Mateusz Rebecki def. Myktybek Orolbai via split decision 29-28×2, 28-29.
- Abus Magomedov def. Brunno Ferreira via submission in the third round (arm-triangle choke)
- Kennedy Nzechukwu def. Chris Barnett TKO in the first round
- Farid Basharat def. Victor Hugo via. unanimous decision, 30-27, 29-28×2
- Rinat Fakhretdinov def. Carlos Leal via unanimous decision 30-27, 29-28×2
- Ismail Naurdiev def. Bruno Silva 30-27×3
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