The highly anticipated showdown between Max Holloway and Ilia Topuria will headline UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi this weekend. Topuria, known for his Georgian and Spanish heritage, has drawn attention for his fighting skills and provocative trash talk. Leading up to the event, Topuria has directed much of his banter at Holloway, who has now publicly addressed and corrected Topuria’s approach.
Holloway’s Response to Topuria’s Comments
In an interview with MMA Fighting, Holloway clarified that he wasn’t mocking Topuria’s English but rather his repetitive trash-talking style. “A lot of people think I’m making fun of Topuria’s English, but that’s not it at all. I know he speaks five languages, while I only speak English, and I’ve struggled with it myself. What I’m pointing out is that his ‘trash-talk’ is just too generic and predictable. When he doesn’t know what to say, he just mumbles or tells his opponent to ‘shut up’ – that’s why I had to call him out,” Holloway explained.
High Stakes for Both Fighters
UFC 308 brings intense stakes for both fighters. Topuria enters as the UFC featherweight champion with an impressive 15-0 record in professional MMA, fresh off a knockout victory over Alexander Volkanovski to secure his title. Holloway, in his own right, is coming off a spectacular year, highlighted by a knockout of Justin Gaethje and a Performance of the Night award at UFC 300 in April.
Additional Exciting Matchups
Beyond Holloway vs. Topuria, UFC 308 will showcase thrilling fights, including Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev in the middleweight division and Magomed Ankalaev vs. Aleksandar Rakic in the light heavyweight category. With such a stellar lineup, fans can expect an action-packed night filled with intensity and unforgettable moments.
