Ilia Topuria, Khamzat Chimaev usher in new guard at UFC 308
Ilia Topuria, Khamzat Chimaev usher in new guard at UFC 308
Plus–a look at Cody Rhodes, The Motor City Machine Guns, and Eddie Kingston
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The landscape has changed in the UFC.
After dominating the featherweight division for the last eight years, Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway have been replaced on top by Ilia Topuria. That was evident in February when Topuria knocked out Volkanovski to win the featherweight title, and yesterday served as a resounding reminder when Topuria knocked out Holloway at UFC 308. It marks the first time Holloway has ever lost by KO in his illustrious career, and it is yet another sign that the undefeated Topuria is the next great featherweight.
Topuria (16-0) even seized the attention of former featherweight great Conor McGregor, who sent out a barrage of tweets hinting at the possibility of a title fight. McGregor is a master of marketing and self-promotion, but there is zero chance he is making 145 pounds (which hasn’t happened since 2015) to step into the cage with Topuria. Yet it highlighted Topuria’s star power, as McGregor is only focused on elite talent.
The next bout for Topuria is likely Diego Lopes before a rematch/beheading with Volkanovski. He is now the undisputed face of the division, one of two major developments to occur yesterday in Abu Dhabi at UFC 308.
Another significant moment took place in the co-main event when Khamzat Chimaev absolutely annihilated Rob Whittaker. Chimaev ripped apart Whittaker’s jaw on the mat and forced the iconic middleweight to tap out in the first round, a humbling moment for one of the greatest middleweights to ever compete in the UFC.
That type of domination was what everyone was hoping to see from Chimaev (14-0). Now that it was finally on full display, against someone like Whittaker, it should be enough to catapult Chimaev into a middleweight title bout against reigning champ Dricus du Plessis. That would mean Chimaev is jumping in front of Sean Strickland, which is the right move. Strickland wanted a title shot after defeating Paulo Costa; Chimaev belongs in a title bout after decimating Whittaker.
UFC 308 showcased a new wave of stars. The frightening Shara Magomedov also won in the main card opener, drilling Armen Petrosyan with spinning back fists. If the UFC could match up Magomedov with Israel Adesanya, that could be a star-making moment.
In addition to Lerone Murphy keeping his undefeated record in a featherweight bout victory against Dan Ige, a new contender for Alex Pereira was also determined when Magomed Ankalaev defeated Aleksander Rakic by unanimous decision. Ankalaev will pose problems for Pereira, who has been unstoppable at light heavyweight.
The UFC now moves on to its signature Madison Square Garden in November, which will feature the return of Jon Jones. He’s scheduled to defend his title against Stipe Miocic, another UFC legend. But led by Topuria, UFC 308 was all about the future.
The Motor City Machine Guns had the worst outcome possible two nights ago on SmackDown.
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