Ilia Topuria makes first featherweight title defense against Max Holloway at UFC 308

Featherweight champion Ilia Topuria remains a fan of Max Holloway, crediting the Hawaiian for being an inspiration for his UFC career.

But the 27-year-old Topuria said he plans to put aside any positive feelings Saturday night when Holloway becomes his opponent at UFC 308.

“I have all the respect for him," Topuria said. "He’s a great fighter. He’s done many great things in the sport. You can’t take credit from him, so I have learned many, many things from him. He called me a fan. Yeah, I followed his career. I have been a fan. He’s been a great example for me, but now it’s my time to be that example for the new generation.”

Topuria (15-0), who was born in Germany to Georgian parents but lives in Spain, makes his first title defense. He is a -250 favorite at BetMGM Sportsbook.

Topuria captured the belt with a second-round technical knockout of Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 on Feb. 17 in Anaheim, California. Volkanovski had owned the title for four years, making five successful title defenses.

That is until Topuria established control from the beginning.

“I think he’s an animal,” Holloway said. "A lot of people forget that when he came into the UFC, he got right in as a grappler and wrestler. That’s what he was. He came into the UFC, started knocking dudes out. His boxing is nice as a fighter. You cannot be a hater and say he’s not good. He did what he had to do to get to the position he has, so there’s no disrespect to that.

“But you get to see me come Saturday night.”

Holloway (26-7) showed at UFC 300 on April 13 in Las Vegas that he is willing to take chances in what could be the fight of the year. He was comfortably ahead of Justin Gaethje for the ceremonial BMF title belt when Holloway pointed at the mat as the clocked ticked down, indicating he was willing to slug it out.

And that he did, sending Gaethje to the floor with a second left for a stunning finish.

Now Holloway, 32, gets his shot at the belt as the second-ranked challenger after winning four of his past five fights. His only loss was by unanimous decision to Volkanovski at UFC 276 in 2022 in Las Vegas.

He faces an opponent who has seen only two of his 15 fights go the distance.

“His cardio is outshining the opponent’s cardio because he’s hurting them early in their fights,” Holloway said. “The beautiful thing is I can't wait. It's going to be something special. Tune in Saturday night.”

Topuria said he was prepared to do whatever it takes, be it ending the fight quickly or going the full five rounds.

“I'm ready for 10 or 15 rounds," Topuria said. "Whatever he wants to do, I can do it. But I don't think that the fight will go the distance. I will finish him before that.”

In the co-main event, No. 3 challenger Robert Whittaker (27-7) of Australia will face No. 13 Khamzat Chimaev (13-0) of Russia in a middleweight bout.