This weekend, at the Octagon Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE, “El Matador” Ilia Topuria will make his first defense of the UFC Featherweight Championship against “Blessing” Max Holloway. This matchup marks a significant challenge for the “invincible” Topuria, who recently defeated Alex Volkanovski at UFC 298.
“Invincible” Ability
Topuria has been competing in MMA since April 2015. Over his impressive 11-year career, he has amassed 15 wins—5 by KO and 8 by submission. With experience from Mix Fight Events, CAGE, Cage Warriors, and Brave FC, he has now entered the UFC’s Octagon.
In his latest fight against “Old Man” Volkanovski, Topuria made the Australian fighter pay a hefty price for his lack of focus, having tried to “fly up” to light heavyweight to fight Islam Makhachev before returning to his familiar featherweight division. The KO in the second round elevated Topuria’s reputation significantly.
This weekend, he will face Holloway at the Etihad Arena. “Blessing” is a former Featherweight Champion, known for his victory over “The Answer” Frankie Edgar at UFC 240 in July 2019. However, Holloway has struggled in the shadow of Volkanovski, suffering three losses, all by decision.
Both Are Good at Boxing
Topuria is a black belt in jiu-jitsu and a skilled Greco-Roman wrestler, showcasing exceptional wrestling techniques. His takedown ability is one of his strong suits. Nevertheless, it is his boxing skills that define “El Matador,” as he often stands to KO his opponents.
Standing at just 1.70 meters, Topuria possesses remarkable physical strength and explosiveness, delivering powerful punches. His close-range attacks are particularly dangerous, often using his full body weight to generate incredible power. However, when he misses, he risks losing his balance.
When Topuria retreats, he can become vulnerable. Yet, to date, few fighters have managed to push him back effectively. He not only attacks aggressively but also defends impressively, showcasing excellent body and shoulder defense skills—qualities typical of a seasoned boxer.
Volkanovski needed a strategy to break through Topuria’s offense and defense. In the first five minutes of their match on February 17, Alexander “The Great” evaded punches but only succeeded in clinching during the first half. The second half presented challenges, teaching Volkanovski not to become distracted.
What Skills Does Holloway Bring to the Table?
Holloway effectively utilizes his height and reach, standing at 1.80 meters—10 centimeters taller than Topuria. His long arm span allows him to evade melee attacks while delivering strikes that maintain distance.
Recently, Holloway has adjusted his tactics, using jabs to counter opponents rather than aggressively initiating contact. This strategy has proven effective; he has taken fewer hits in his last three matches (3.55 hits/minute compared to 4.72 throughout his career). This change in approach demonstrates his tactical flexibility.
Topuria’s Backup Plan: Wrestling
Since his debut in the UFC Octagon, Topuria has rarely employed his wrestling skills, but he is capable of doing so when needed. In fights against Jay Herbert and Josh Emmet, he effectively utilized wrestling to transition from standing to ground combat, employing classic one-legged and double-leg takedowns typical of MMA fighters.
On the ground, Topuria operates more like a jiu-jitsu practitioner than a traditional wrestler. He focuses on improving his position rather than maintaining tight control, often looking for creative submission options.
Holloway, too, has not frequently used his wrestling in recent bouts. However, dismissing his ability to take down opponents would be a mistake. Even when taken down, Holloway remains composed, successfully transitioning back to a standing position with an 84% success rate.
Holloway’s Endurance and Striking Range
While Topuria boasts many strengths, Holloway is far from weak. His precise striking and rapid pace put immense pressure on opponents. In his match against Sean Strickland, Holloway landed 3,378 strikes—over 1,000 more than his opponent.
This striking volume allows Holloway to overwhelm opponents and demands exceptional physical endurance. Despite maintaining a high volume and fast pace, he has completed all 25 minutes of competition in several fights. Throughout his career, he has suffered only one submission loss and has never been KOed. Therefore, defeating him requires an opponent to engage in a “bloody battle” over five rounds.
With superior physical strength and the ability to control the rhythm of attacks, Holloway gains a significant advantage in the final two rounds, making it crucial for Topuria to stay vigilant!
