The UFC’s annual trip to Abu Dhabi for UFC 308 promised us answers to some massive questions. Ilia Topuria vs Max Holloway, current champ vs former champ in the main event, in the wake of Holloway’s legendary finish over Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 earlier this year was probably the most high level match up the promotion could hope to piece together, and they delivered an exceptional two-plus rounds before “El Matador” wrote another chapter in the history books of the UFC’s featherweight division.
Khamzat Chimaev was asked to prove his credibility as title contender by taking on future UFC Hall of Famer Robert Whittaker, and he passed the test with flying colors.
Shara Magomedov, Lerone Murphy and Magomed Ankalaev all picked up the biggest statement victories of their careers at the Etihad Arena. Let’s look at some of the best fights to make in the wake of UFC 308:
Ilia Topuria vs. Alexander Volkanovski
Topuria has now finished both Volkanovski and Holloway, arguably the two greatest featherweights of all time, in the space of just a few months. At the age of just 27, the world is at the Georgian’s feet.
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While there are an exciting handful of fighters climbing the ranks at 145lbs in Diego Lopes, Movsar Evloev and Arnold Allen, Volkanovski is surely the man leading the line due to his impressive run of title defences.
Max Holloway vs. Charles Oliveira/Michael Chandler loser
Holloway’s performance at 155 lbs. against Gaethje earlier this year was one of his greatest. At lightweight he looked to have the speed advantage, which wasn’t the case when he came back down to featherweight to face Topuria. Having competed in the UFC’s 145-lb. division since 2012 the time may finally have come where he has outgrown the weight class.
It’s likely that the winner of the upcoming fight between Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler may move forward into the title picture at 155 lbs., which opens the opportunity for Holloway to defend his BMF title against the runner-up.
Khamzat Chimaev vs. Dricus Du Plessis/Sean Strickland winner
Khamzat Chimaev entered his co-main event against Robert Whittaker with a lot of questions hanging over him, but by breaking the former champion’s jaw, “Borz” cemented his place in the middleweight title picture. With Sean Strickland rumored to be next to face Dricus Du Plessis, Chimaev will probably wait his turn.
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Magomed Ankalaev vs. Alex Pereira
The unbeaten streak of Magomed Ankalaev continued in spectacular fashion as he put on a masterful striking performance in the Arabian desert. With light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira having cleaned out the rest of the division, the time is now for the Russian southpaw to challenge “Poatan” for his title.
Lerone Murphy vs. Josh Emmett
After a shaky start, Manchester’s Lerone Murphy gathered himself and dug out an impressive victory over a tough opponent in Dan Ige. “The Miracle” remains unbeaten at 15-0-1 and called his shot for an opportunity to crack the featherweight top ten during his post-fight interview when he called for a fight with number eight-ranked Josh Emmett.
Shara Magomedov vs. Michel Pereira
Shara “Bullet” Magomedov faced the first real test of his UFC career against Armen Petrosyan and passed with flying colors as he pulled off one of the greatest finishes in UFC history.
He took his opportunity on the mic to call out Israel Adesanya in what would surely be a spectacular striking match up, but it’s unlikely the former champion would fight an unranked opponent. Michel Pereira, looking to rebound from his recent defeat against Anthony Hernandez, may be a more realistic option.
