UFC 308: Main Card Predictions
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UFC returns to the infamous Fight Island for their 19th event in Abu Dhabi. Yas Island marks an important era in UFC history as this venue helped bring sports back in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, the UFC has been on fire with some elite quality cards. The momentum continues with UFC 308, as we are in store for perhaps the fight of the year in the night’s headliner.
Newly crowned champion, Ilia Topuria, returns to defend his belt after slaying perhaps the greatest featherweight of all time in his last fight. Max Holloway is back to challenge for his old title after coming off the greatest knockout in UFC history. Make no mistake, this is a super fight, and absolutely nothing less. The rest of the card features prominent names such as Robert Whittaker, Khamzat Chimaev, and Magomed Ankalaev.
UFC Featherweight Championship
Ilia Topuria (C) vs. Max Holloway (2)
Evan: For my money, this is the best fight you can make in MMA right now. I’ve got all the belief in Ilia Topuria’s star potential and have favored him in this matchup since it was announced. If there is anyone who can become the first person to finish Max Holloway via KO or TKO, it’s him. Additionally, Topuria has the superior grappling skills of the two. I could easily see him utilizing them to impact the fight in his favor. But I think Topuria is doubting Holloway way too much, and I can’t do that with Max right now.
I believe the Hawaiian legend has improved way more than people give him credit for since suffering a third loss to Alexander Volkanovski. His thrilling KO victory to become the BMF champion at UFC 300 is a testament to that evolution. He’s got the durability, combination punching, defensive wrestling, and fight IQ to defeat a rising star of Ilia’s magnitude. I think he wins the lead hand positional battle, out jabbing, and out parrying Topuria, while taxing the Georgian champion’s gas tank with good body shots. Give me Max to win in an absolute dog fight.
Official Prediction: Max Holloway via Unanimous Decision.
Lee: Max Holloway can lay claim that he has cleaned out the featherweight division, with the exception of Alexander Volkanovski. Ilia Topuria beat the man that Holloway has fail to beat. Topuria is a great technical striker whereas Holloway is a volume striker. I think Ilia will need to incorporate some type of grappling to keep Holloway thinking and not throwing strikes. A few weeks back, I was picking Holloway but I am starting to drink the Topuria kool-aid.
Official Prediction: Ilia Topuria via Unanimous Decision
Marcos: This is a tough one; on one hand, Ilia Topuria has broken everyone he’s been in the octagon with. On the other hand, Max Holloway has proven to be the most durable MMA fighter we have ever seen. I favor Topuria in the grappling/wrestling exchanges, and in the standup it’s about as unpredictable as it can get. Holloway’s volume and relentlessness can prove to be an issue for Ilia. But, Topuria’s flawless mechanics and timing may spell doom for Max. If Topuria can back Max up against the cage and not engage in any wild exchanges, then he should do enough to win. Yet in a super fight like this, I am truly stumped.
Official Prediction: Ilia Topuria via Unanimous Decision
Middleweight Bout
Robert Whittaker (3) vs. Khamzat Chimaev (12)
Evan: Chimaev makes his long awaited return to the Octagon after dealing with health issues outside of it. This will be only his third fight in the last three years, which could be problematic going against an opponent of Whittaker’s caliber. With that being said, I’m not sure there is another fighter who is more dominant and fearsome in the first round. Khamzat is one of the most naturally gifted athletes in MMA. If his opponents can’t withstand his initial swarm, they usually succumb to the Chechen’s relentlessness.
As long as Robert can weather the storm early, I think he’s got a great chance in this one. Between Khamzat’s extended layoff, his propensity to slow down as the right wears on, and Whittaker’s skill set, I’m smelling an upset. I like Bobby Knuckles to build momentum the longer this goes. Then out slick Chimaev on the feet with his boxing skills, and hold off the grappling surge behind his dynamic takedown defense. This is going to look similar to Khamzat’s barnburner against Gilbert Burns back at UFC 273, in my opinion.
Official Prediction: Robert Whittaker via Unanimous Decision
Lee: This is a pivotal fight within the division. The winner could be in a line for a title shot… Chimaev is one of the least active fighters in the UFC. In contrast, this will be Whittaker’s third fight in 2024. Chimaev is very talented and top notch in grappling, but can he hang with Whittaker’s pace and cardio? Whittaker will need to be patient and technical with his strikes as Chimaev will look to take him down early and often.
Official Prediction: Khamzat Chimaev via Split Decision
Marcos: This is easily Khamzat’s toughest test to date. It will be interesting to see how he handles adversity yet again. Trying to outpoint Whittaker in a 25-minute standup affair would not be the smartest thing Chimaev can do. Although Robert has very good wrestling and takedown defense, his abilities on the ground pale in comparison to those of Khamzat. Whittaker must take advantage of any openings he has striking if he wants to have any success here. While Khamzat must at least threaten the takedown if he is to have any success striking, and the overall fight. The scary wrestling ability of Chimaev should get him the win in this matchup, as it does most times.
Official Prediction: Khamzat Chimaev via 3rd-Round Submission
Featherweight Bout
Lerone Murphy (12) vs. Dan Ige (14)
Evan: I’ve long felt Lerone Murphy has been one of the most underrated fighters. Not only in the featherweight division, but the entire sport. The undefeated Englishman is extremely well rounded. He’s got dynamic striking skills, sound offensive wrestling, and can keep a relentless pace. He’s facing a veteran in Dan Ige, who is also vastly underrated and stubborn as shit. I slightly favor Dan in this fight by the slimmest of margins. I see him outboxing Lerone on the feet. He’ll land the heavier shots, stifling Murphy’s grappling enough to eke out a closely contested decision win.
Official Prediction: Dan Ige via Split Decision
Lee: Coming off an insane, same-day notice fight, Dan Ige returns to face Lerone Murphy. Murphy will enter his second fight of 2024 looking to remain undefeated. Murphy is a technical fighter who has gone the distance in three consecutive fights. However, he only has two finishes in the UFC. Ige on the other hand has lost via decision in five of his last 10 fights. Ige will need to make Murphy fight him to have a chance at securing a win.
Official Prediction: Lerone Murphy via Split Decision
Marcos: Lerone Murphy is a powerful striker with great movement and positioning in the octagon. Dan Ige is a solid kickboxer with good speed, and formidable BJJ and wrestling. Lerone Murphy is on fire at the moment. But, he runs into a guy in Ige who is as battle-tested as anyone at 145 pounds. Ige has proven to be as tough as they come… So, Lerone should use his grappling as he cruises to a decision victory. Ige certainly has the knockout power to get it done. But, I’m afraid it is just a bad matchup for him.
Official Prediction: Lerone Murphy via Unanimous Decision
Light Heavyweight Bout
Magomed Ankalaev (2) vs. Aleksandar Rakić (5)
Evan: If there was ever a time for Ankalaev to solidify his placement as the top contender at 205, it’s now. The way he’s fumbled opportunities in the past does concern me a little, and Rakić is a dangerous opponent. If Ankalaev goofs off on the feet here, there’s no doubt Aleksandar has the kickboxing skills and physicality to pull off the upset. I just believe the Dagestani contender’s grappling ability will be the difference. I also expect him to rise to the occasion finally, realizing the high stakes of this matchup. He knows a date with Alex Pereira is on the horizon as long as he’s victorious in Abu Dhabi…
Official Prediction: Magomed Ankalaev via 2nd or 3rd-Round TKO
Lee: Magomed Ankalaev was passed up for a title shot after the promotion paired Alex Pereira with Khalil Rountree. A win over Aleksandar Rakic would cement his position as the number one contender. This is great matchmaking… These guys might be well-matched, which makes this a possible fight of the night candidate. Rakic will need to fend off Ankalaev’s takedown attempts by establishing his jab, coupled with his three-inch reach advantage. But, I would rather see Ankalaev fight Pereira than Rakic.
Official Prediction: Magomed Ankalaev via 3rd-Round KO/TKO
Marcos: This is a couple of very well-rounded strikers with a dangerous arsenal of low and high kicks. Both gentlemen are not the highest volume strikers, yet are very technical in their approaches. The key in this fight is that unlike Rakic, if Ankalaev struggles in the striking, he will surely take this fight to the ground with great success. Ankalaev must be cautious with the dangerous leg kicks of Rakic. We have seen him struggle to check them in the past… In my opinion, Ankalaev will win this fight on the feet with his versatility.
Official Prediction: Magomed Ankalaev via 2nd-Round KO/TKO
Middleweight Bout
Shara Magomedov vs. Armen Petrosyan
Evan: I’m not one of these Shara Magomedov believers, at least as of now. I just don’t really buy the hype with him. He’s got a versatile kicking arsenal, and his shot selection is quality. However, Shara’s takedown defense is massively mediocre. Plus, his gas tank is very leaky as well. Fortunately for Magomedov, Petrosyan seems like a tailor made opponent to showcase his striking skills once again. He should win this fight with not much difficulty.
Official Prediction: Shara Magomedov via Unanimous Decision
Lee: This fight should be contested mostly on the feet. Both guys have a 0% submission average and less than 1% takedown average. This fight is all about Magomedov, but is he a future star? If he is what the UFC thinks he can be, he should win this fight easily.
Official Prediction: Shara Magomedov via 2nd-Round KO/TKO
Marcos: These are two top-notch strikers with supreme kickboxing success prior to their MMA runs. Shara is a vicious kickboxer with a decent takedown defense and a nonexistent takedown offense. This seems like a perfect fight made for Shara Magomedov to finally show us how good he actually is. Armen Petrosyan dishes it, but he can certainly take it as he has relied on his chin in the past. Based on the stylistic matchup, this will be a very entertaining fight for as long as it’ll last. It comes down to the fact that Shara is a better striker, and this will be a striking affair.
Official Prediction: Shara Magomedov via 2nd-Round KO/TKO
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