UFC 308 ‘Topuria vs. Holloway’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring

Rinat Fakhretdinov (171) vs. Carlos Leal Miranda (169.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Fakhretdinov (-278), Leal Miranda (+225)

Round 1

Welcome fight fans one and all to an early morning blitz of combat, with a baker’s dozen matchups from featherweight to heavyweight—and not a women’s bout on the billing, with the event taking place in the United Arab Emirates. The first pairing of the day, one that will serve like a cup of coffee to get started, takes place in the welterweight division. Originally planning on facing Nursulton Ruziboev, Fakhretdinov (22-1-1, 4-0-1 UFC) will instead welcome Leal (21-5, 0-0 UFC) to the UFC on short notice. The Brazilian is no stranger to large stages, having spent a few seasons in the confines of the Professional Fighters League with Sadibou Sy lording over him. The fighters will be joined in the cage by referee Vitor “Shaolin” Ribeiro, who clocks them in as they touch gloves. Fakhretdinov introduces himself with a jab and a low kick, and he jabs again to the body. Another jab is met with a leg kick from the Brazilian, who swipes in with two hooks to follow. Fakhretdinov is out of the way, pawing out with a calf kick. Fakhretdinov punches his way into a takedown attack, taking Leal down to the mat. Leal muscles his way back to the fence and up to his feet, and Fakhretdinov pushes him tightly against the cage and lifts up a knee that narrowly misses his mug. Fakhretdinov reaches the chin on a second high knee, and Leal tries to dirty box in response with short little punches to the midsection. Fakhretdinov embraces the grind until Leal explodes out of position, and this results in a mad brawl. Leal eats a right hand, gives back a pair of hooks and stings the Russian. Fakhretdinov shoots in again for a takedown, and this time Leal is energized and stops him in his tracks. Fakhretdinov gets knocked back with a few strikes, and he dives forward for another shot. This time, Leal hits his backside, but only for a moment before springing upright. Fakhretdinov uses his momentum to jam Leal up against the fencing, where his knees start finding their home on the thigh. Leal nods to his corner as they issue instructions, and he follows them to set up a Thai clinch to knee Fakhretdinov in the dome. Leal swings his way out of the tie-up, nailing Fakhretdinov with heavy punches and following them with chopping calf kicks. Leal works his way forward, using his leg kick to open up strikes. Fakhretdinov replies with rangy jabs and a body kick, and Leal gets up a few knees on the dome but slips. The Brazilian somehow regains his balance and keeps trading, and his left hands begin to do some damage on Fakhretdinov. Both fighters bite down on their mouthpiece and throw leather, and Fakhretdinov starts grinning. Fakhretdinov tries for another takedown and is easily stuffed, and he whips a high kick up. Leal shells up, stops a subsequent takedown and is met with a sudden front kick up the middle. They trade hands and smiles at the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Leal
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Leal
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Leal

Round 2

The welterweights tap gloves to get going, and they pick up right where they left off with heavy hands. Leal stifles an early takedown to nail the front leg of his opponent with a kick, and Fakhretdinov decides to give a few back with far less impact. Fakhretdinov swipes out with a left hand, and when Leal lunges to attack, Fakhretdinov snipes him with another. Fakhretdinov fails on a subsequent takedown entry, allowing Leal to catch him flush with a sharp one-two. Leal shuts down a takedown effort to blast his opponent in the face with a left hand, and his low kick begins to do some damage. Fakhretdinov is getting backed off with the constant offense from the acne-sporting Brazilian, who does not fear his strikes. Fakhretdinov sticks out a sharp jab, but Leal is hitting him harder across the board. The jabs from Fakhretdinov start to add up, until Leal chops his front leg down. Fakhretdinov grins and sells out for an overhand right, and he has to change stances as the leg kick is chewing him up. Fakhretdinov’s shot comes up short, and he takes a knee on the chin when ducked down. Fakhretdinov relies on pushing the Brazilian against the wire, and Leal bides his time before exploding away. Fakhretdinov flicks out a few jabs on the way out, and Leal shrugs them off and lines up a straight right hand. Fakhretdinov sets up a pair of hooks after a front kick, and he blasts the front leg and catches Leal with a haymaker. Leal wings a head kick back at him, and even when blocked, it shakes Fakhretdinov up slightly. Fakhretdinov shoots, and Leal meets him with a knee and a left hook. Fakhretdinov gets sloppy, and Leal takes advantage of it with wide but dangerous hooks. Leal pounds on the front leg when not battering Fakhretdinov with power punches, and when Fakhretdinov gives him a few back, Leal is not concerned. Fakhretdinov scores another leg kick into two-punch combo, and Leal gives him back a leg kick that compromises him. Fakhretdinov goes all-out for a takedown, with the last kick making him immediately change stances, and he scoops Leal up to dump him on the mat. A few right hands from Fakhretdinov on top open a cut on the corner of Leal’s left eye, and the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Leal
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Leal
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Leal

Round 3

Fakhretdinov offers a hug to start the final frame, and Leal gladly accepts it. They get back to striking right out of the gate, and Fakhretdinov chin-checks Leal but Leal is right there to pay him back with volume and power. Fakhretdinov pushes him back and works behind a jab and a two, and a takedown shot that he sets up well does not succeed. Fakhretdinov’s jab slows his opponent, who appears to be slowing. Fakhretdinov takes advantage of that by working the body with a few knees, and he pushes Leal back to the fence. Leal takes a few seconds to get his wind before breaking out of it, and he starts walking the Russian down throwing hands. Fakhretdinov sharply counters, lining up several punches and letting Leal duck so he can smack him with a standing back fist. Leal gets a bit wild swinging back at him, and it opens him up to a takedown. Fakhretdinov comes up just short of the takedown, and Leal trips his legs out with a hard kick on the outside. Fakhretdinov climbs back upright and throws everything he has into a right hand. Leal times this moment by taking advantage of his off-balance throw, dropping down and securing his own takedown. Fakhretdinov crawls to the fence to get back up, and they resume brawling. Fakhretdinov catches Leal with a clean left hand, and he crashes forward to try for a takedown. Leal backs off, and Fakhretdinov chases after him and tags him in the chin repeatedly. Leal’s hands are down, and he eats flush strikes without batting an eye. Leal puts a one-two on the chin, and as he winds up with another, Fakhretdinov shoots on his hips. Leal sprawls, knees Fakhretdinov in the chest and resets. Fakhretdinov leans forward to throw hands and then change levels, and Leal stops him in his tracks as they tie up in the middle of the cage. Fakhretdinov goes low for another takedown, and Leal’s takedown defense is stalwart. Low kicks are traded, and Fakhretdinov winds up with everything he has in a pair of punches. Leal takes it on the chin and trades back, and the two welterweights throw the kitchen sink at one another until the final bell surprisingly sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Leal (30-27 Leal)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Leal (30-27 Leal)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Leal (30-27 Leal)

The Official Result

Rinat Fakhretdinov def. Carlos Leal Miranda via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

Ismail Naurdiev (185) vs. Bruno Silva (186)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Basharat (-625), Hugo (+455)

Round 1

Fresh off a prolonged stint in Brave CF—one where he only went .500 while getting finished three times—Austria’s Naurdiev (23-7, 2-2 UFC) has somehow worked his way back to the organization while moving up to 185 pounds. His comeback draws powerhouse Silva (23-11, 4-5 UFC), who has bricks for fists but has struggled to land them cleanly as of late. High finish rates of 78% and 87% collide, which puts referee Mark Smith on notice while likely letting the judges take it easy. Gloves are touched before they are traded, and Silva strikes first with a sharp guard-splitting jab. Silva flicks out a few more, and Naurdiev’s nose is already reddening. Naurdiev opens up with wide punches and a power low kick, and Silva absorbs a flush body kick on the way back. Silva pushes out another jab, and Naurdiev goes for one to the midsection. Silva throws off-balance and gets countered with an overhand right, and his offense slows. He attempts a one-two and a low kick, and Naurdiev responds with a right hand over the top. Silva tosses a high kick that gets caught, and Naurdiev uses it to pushes his man to the fence. Silva sprawls with his back to the cage, and he posts off one hand to stop himself from being taken down. Naurdiev opens up with an elbow and a few punches to break, and as Silva throws back, Naurdiev whips a head kick at him. Silva chops at the front leg, turns around slowly, and gets nailed by a much quicker Naurdiev. The Austrian by way of Morocco shoots for a potential takedown, dragging Silva to his hands but not to the mat. Naurdiev leans on his opponent until Silva stands up, and he knees the Brazilian in the gut. Both men score elbows as they split up, and Silva attacks a low kick on the break. Naurdiev shoots in for a double-leg takedown, putting “Blindado” on his seat and hooking his legs around Silva’s. Silva bursts back to his feet, and Naurdiev hops onto his back and immediately starts fishing for a rear-naked choke. Silva leans against the fence and hand-fights to protect his neck, and Naurdiev slides off in part to Silva grabbing the fence, forcing a reset to kickboxing range. The horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Naurdiev
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Naurdiev
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Naurdiev

Round 2

The second round opens with Silva tossing out low kicks. Naurdiev replies with a loud body kick, and Silva catches it and releases it when missing on a right-hand counter. Naurdiev jabs the body and walks into a left hand, and he fakes a level change to open up an overhand right. Silva tosses out a lazy low kick, and Naurdiev responds with a body shot. Naurdiev times a right hand over the top when Silva pitches another slow leg kick, and he shoots in on the Brazilian’s hips and puts him on the mat. Silva tugs on the fence to hope to improve his position, and Naurdiev climbs on top of him as Smith issues a warning. Naurdiev hacks at his man with elbows as Silva works his way up, and he sells out for a double and lifts Silva up but cannot deposit him on the floor. Silva knees and punches his way out of the tie-up, and he walks Naurdiev down and takes a few jabs on the jaw. Silva attempts a takedown, and Naurdiev easily defends it and sets up a power guillotine choke. Silva throws him off of him rather than technically fighting the choke, and he stalks “The Austrian Wonderboy” down and walks into a takedown entry. Naurdiev resets, punching his way into a double, and he secures it and dumps Silva to his backside. Naurdiev wrangles his opponent, sitting on top in half guard while working him over with punches. Silva once more grabs the fence, and Smith issues yet another warning. Silva returns to his feet, and he jabs his way to get some space. Naurdiev jabs him back and pitches out a front kick, and Silva tries to sway to dodge the attacks. Naurdiev flicks out a question-mark kick, and he dives after a double and settles for a single-leg entry to end the round.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Naurdiev
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Naurdiev
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Naurdiev

Round 3

The fighters touch ‘em up to get going, and Silva appears to have a little fire under his belly as he launches attacks at his opponent. Silva’s swings are lumbering and telegraphed, and Naurdiev is sharper and picks him off before shooting for a double. Naurdiev pushes Silva from one end of the cage to the other, and he scores knees to the body and a right hand over the top to break off. Silva whips a kick to the ribs, and he shoots low for a takedown that fails miserably. Silva puts his hands on the mat to defend his face from getting kneed while leaned over, and he leans back up against the wall when the Austrian hangs onto him. Naurdiev backs off to put jabs on Silva’s face, and he lines up a right hand that glances off the temple. Naurdiev allows Silva to throw a weak high kick, and when Silva turns around slowly like a Lazy Susan, Naurdiev charges him. Silva gets pushed to the wall, doggedly pursuing the takedown while hunting for trips. Silva sets up a Thai clinch, getting off one knee before absorbing several heavier blows. Naurdiev backs off and trades hands with his opponent, and they bounce on their heels to shake things out. Naurdiev chases Silva to the fencing, letting his hands go and blasting his foe’s front leg with a kick. Silva gets off two punches and a knee, and Naurdiev dances in and out with jabs and leg kicks. Silva tries to wing a left hand over the top, and his second fails as well and a leg kick turns him around. When Naurdiev crashes towards him, Silva manages to turn around in time, but he does not throw anything intercepting. Silva pushes out long left hands, and Naurdiev is light on his feet, sliding from side to side while pecking at the Brazilian with a body kick. The fight comes to a conclusion.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Naurdiev (30-27 Naurdiev)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Naurdiev (30-27 Naurdiev)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Naurdiev (30-27 Naurdiev)

The Official Result

Ismail Naurdiev def. Bruno Silva via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Farid Basharat (137) vs. Victor Hugo (145.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Basharat (-625), Hugo (+455)

Round 1

Once preparing for a bantamweight contest, Basharat (12-0, 3-0 UFC) learned on Friday morning that his opponent Hugo (25-4, 1-0 UFC) was about to come in 10 pounds over the 136-pound limit. Rather than the match falling apart, the Brit born in Afghanistan decided to allow Hugo to weigh in at that newly agreed range of featherweight. Basharat will officially clock in eight pounds lighter than his opponent as a result, and the bout may not have remained together if the event were running with commission oversight. This 145-pound tilt will be officiated by referee Kerry Hatley, and because of what would have been a nearly historic miss, there is no interest in a glove touch. The fight begins with Hugo diving after a takedown, missing so badly that Basharat stands firm and slugs him in the chops on the way up. Hugo walks his man down, and Basharat is lighter on his feet, sniping him from a safe distance. Hugo steps in with a solid right hand, and Basharat gathers himself, bounces off the fence and pays the Brazilian back with his own right hook. Hugo catches a front kick and trips his man up, and Basharat regains his balance and winds up with a right hand. Hugo keeps chasing, fighting behind a jab and a front kick, and Basharat connects with a leg kick on the outside. Basharat shoots for a single, and he bails on it when seeing it will not succeed. Leg kicks come on both sides, and Hugo whips a high kick at him that is blocked. Basharat slips and rips a right hand over the top, and walks face-first into a spinning back elbow. The man from Afghanistan wears it well and chops down the front leg a few times, and Hugo dives for a rolling heel hook and succeeds in dragging Basharat to the floor. Basharat turns to the side and gets out of danger, where he walks over to side control easily and opens up a cut on the corner of Hugo’s left eye with strikes. Hugo explodes back to his feet and leans back to dodge a spinning wheel kick, and he meanders forward to throw hands with his opponent. Basharat lines up a right hand and a left, beating the heavier man to the punch and getting off a quick kick before intercepting a spinning Hugo. Basharat wraps his hands around his foe’s waist and pushes off to reset, and he dodges a looping punch and drives a right hand over the top. Hugo leaps after another heel hook, and Basharat wags his finger at his opponent at the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Basharat
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Basharat
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Basharat

Round 2

The fight resumes with both men meeting in the middle measuring their strikes. Basharat pushes off a few punches, and Hugo fights behind kicks to the lead leg and body. Hugo crashes the pocket, and Basharat times a perfect jump knee that bashes his man in the face. Hugo keeps a stiff upper lip and rebounds off the fence, and he lets loose a number of unanswered calf kicks. Basharat lets fly a right hook, and he switches stances to work his way in and connect with another. Hugo spins with a back fist that makes him hit the deck, and he springs back up when Basharat does not want to deal with him on the mat. Basharat instead allows Hugo up so he can stick out a right hand, and Hugo spins with nothing and chains a kick into it. Basharat works the body a few times with long left hands, and Hugo drops his hands and lines up a low kick. Hugo clips Basharat with a left, and Basharat blinks it out and counters him cleanly a few times. Basharat’s footwork allows him to slip and rip strikes, rolling with counters if they land at all and giving him the proper distance to get in and get away. They trade jabs, and Basharat fakes a takedown to draw out a reaction. Hugo loads up on power strikes, and he raises his arms in the air after they nail one another with heavy blows. Hugo gets his foe’s attention with a sharp left hand, and he follows it with another to wobble Basharat’s legs briefly. Hugo’s momentum allows him to grip hold of the Afghan-born fighter, lifting him in the air to slam him on his seat. Basharat wall-walks to get up and free, and he lets Hugo swing at him wildly so he can counter slickly. Hugo spins with another elbow that dings his man in the chin, and Basharat wags his finger at him. The jabs from Basharat have reopened Hugo’s cut, and Hugo shrugs at him and tries to engage a brawl. Basharat stays light on his feet, pushing through to grab Hugo when Hugo spins. The horn sounds when they clash together.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Basharat
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Basharat
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Basharat

Round 3

Hugo is loaded for bear to begin the final frame, swinging wildly with punches and kicks. Basharat uses his footwork and head movement to stay safe until Hugo catches him with a right hand and knocks him across the cage with a spinning back kick to the ribcage. Basharat rebounds off the fence and back upright, and he circles away to get some space. Hugo’s momentum gets him tied up, and Basharat knees him in the chest, but Hugo is exploding to do anything and his punches have some serious heat on them. This forces him off-balance, and Basharat sees this and times a smart takedown to put the Brazilian on his back. Hugo throws his legs up to threaten off his back as soon as he hits the ground, and Basharat wriggles out of it and assumes side control. Hugo gets hold of an unorthodox triangle from the side, and Basharat forces his way out once more and rolls Hugo to his back. Hugo attempts a brief shoulder lock, and Basharat softens him up with some ground-and-pound. Hugo works to his feet, only to succumb to a mat return. Basharat climbs on the back, and he fastens a rear-naked choke that is on the jaw. Hugo does not show any concern, instead pulling on the fence to stand back up. Hatley sees this and swats his hand away, and Basharat remains focused on wrenching the newcomer to the floor and taking his power away. Hugo rolls for a leglock, and this forces Basharat to abandon ship. Hugo charges like a bull, swinging wildly and into another takedown from the unbeaten fighter. Basharat easily puts Hugo on his knees, where he slips a hook in and takes the back. Basharat wraps a body triangle around the waist, preventing the Brazilian from turning while smacking him upside the head with an elbow. Before Basharat can assume full mount, Hugo turns to his back, and Basharat rains down another sharp elbow. Hugo pursues one final leglock, and Basharat grabs the fence to break free. They both stand up, and Hugo races at him but cannot reach him before time expires.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Basharat (30-27 Basharat)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Basharat (30-27 Basharat)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Basharat (30-27 Basharat)

The Official Result

Farid Basharat def. Victor Hugo via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Chris Barnett (264) vs. Kennedy Nzechukwu (241)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Nzechukwu (-650), Barnett (+470)

Round 1

A veritable meme fight has come to life, with gargantuan light heavyweight Nzechukwu (12-5, 6-5 UFC) simply not cutting weight and coming in as a shredded 240-pound behemoth. He battles a man eight inches shorter and 25 pounds heavier in Barnett (23-8, 2-2 UFC), who is always one spinning kick away from a stunning victory. Anything can happen when it comes to the heavyweight division, and referee Jason Herzog better be ready to roll with the punches literally and figuratively. During the introduction, Barnett jumps in the air and stomps down in excitement, and he lands awkwardly and shows a bit of concern looking down at his leg. There is a clap of hands first, and Nzechukwu strides forward with confidence. Barnett slaps out a low kick and gets backed off with a long jab. Barnett connects with another leg kick as chants in support of him echo through the building, and he keeps working on that lead leg. Barnett wings a right and a left, and Nzechukwu shakes them off and jabs the body with a stabbing kick. Nzechukwu kicks the belly again, and Barnett spins and does not do anything with it. Nzechukwu pirouettes, and they laugh and high-five. Nzechukwu tosses out a low kick that bangs into the cup, and Barnett waves Herzog off and wings a right hand that is not in range. Nzechukwu keeps working the body with his kicks, and Barnett responds with a jumping switch kick that is chained into a spinning wheel kick. Nzechukwu’s front kick cannot miss, and he puts a one-two down the middle. Nzechukwu keeps jabbing with his toes extended, and he spins into something and comes up limping, possibly hurting himself with something unorthodox. Barnett winces and gathers himself, tossing out a big punch that is way short of its intended target. Nzechukwu snipes at him from afar with jabs and kicks, and Barnett sits down on a leg kick. Two front kicks to the body hurt Barnett, and Nzechukwu pins another one on the stomach. As Barnett tries to shift away, his left leg is compromised and he struggles to put weight on it. Nzechukwu does not sell out on strikes, instead calmly working his way forward to not allow for a massive counter to reach him. Barnett is in trouble, and he shells up against the fence as Nzechukwu starts to tee off on him. Barnett throws with everything he has, but Nzechukwu ignores it and hammers away with increasingly powerful strikes. Nzechukwu smashes his opponent with a knee to the liver, dropping Barnett to the floor. Instead of clutching his side, however, Barnett goes down grabbing his left leg. Herzog knows that Barnett is done and waves the fight off while Nzechukwu is raining down punches, and Barnett immediately attends to his leg and is writhing on the ground in pain. Barnett has to be helped out of the cage, and he is in serious pain even when leaving the Octagon.

The Official Result

Kennedy Nzechukwu def. Chris Barnett R1 4:27 via TKO (Knee to the Body and Punches)

Brunno Ferreira (185.5) vs. Abusupiyan Magomedov (185)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Magomedov (-142), Ferreira (+120)

Round 1

Batten down the hatches, because an all-offense middleweight clash is about to light up the Etihad Arena for the next few minutes or less. Referee Marc Goddard is prepped and ready for the oncoming insanity. Magomedov (26-6-1, 2-2 UFC), who has seen his fair share of ups and downs in the Octagon thus far, comes to blows with Brazilian slugger Ferreira (12-1, 3-1 UFC). The over/under of 1.5 rounds is currently an even betting line, which mean that prognosticators expect some violence here. Before they swing for the fences, they touch ‘em up first. Magomedov tosses out a jumping front kick, and the two keep their safe range from one another for some time. Magomedov remains in the center of the cage, walking Ferreira down and measuring out a jab that is not there. Magomedov swings a left hook that catches the Brazilian on the chin, and “The Hulk” wears it well. Magomedov hammers the front leg with a kick, and Ferreira changes stances and tosses out a front kick. When Ferreira charges, Magomedov uses his reach advantage to pop his foe with a left hand. Magomedov gets off another chopping kick that is partially checked, and he jabs the chest with the ball of his foot. Ferreira tries his own front kick, and is otherwise relatively offensively muted. Magomedov has a head kick blocked, and he parries a punch and narrowly evades two looping hooks. Magomedov skims the side of the head with a kick, and he jabs and prods with a leg kick. Ferreira’s responding teep kick comes up short, unable to find his distance. Magomedov snaps out a front kick and dodges a counter to walk his man down. Magomedov gets away with a naked leg kick as a right hand counter clips him, and he strings a few punches together to get the Brazilian back. Magomedov jabs the body and blocks a Ferreira blitz, and the disappointing round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov

Round 2

The middleweights bump fists to start the second round. Magomedov gets on his bike, peppering with jabs, and Ferreira rushes after him preparing to check kicks and reaching out punches. Ferreira marches Magomedov down with two hooks, landing at least one. Magomedov walks the Brazilian down and pushes him back with a jab, and Ferreira darts at him with two winging strikes. Ferreira checks a kick and counters a jab with two punches, and two more come to catch Magomedov standing still. Ferreira pitches out a jumping switch kick as he surges forward, far different than the first round as he may have already matched last round’s strike attempt total just 90 seconds in. Ferreira blasts his man in the face with a right hand, and Magomedov ducks down directly into a head kick that shakes him down to his core. Magomedov desperately pursues a takedown, falling directly into a guillotine choke from the Brazilian. The Russian-born competitor shakes out the cobwebs and pulls his neck out of the choke, working his way around to gain top position, sneak around to take the back, and start fishing for things. Ferreira explodes out of it and walks Magomedov down, hurling heavy leather at him. Magomedov’s legs may not be fully beneath him, and Ferreira opens up with a vicious body kick and a jumping front kick. Ferreira splits the guard with a left hand, and he stops a takedown in its tracks. When Magomedov gets up, he just dodges a left hand in time, but Ferreira reaches him with a fierce left hand. “The Hulk” smashes his man in the face with power strikes, and he spins with an elbow that gives up his back. Magomedov uses the moment to tackle Ferreira to the mat from behind, and Ferreira stands back up despite Magomedov on his back. Magomedov rolls him back down to the floor, and he assumes top position to slow the Brazilian down. Magomedov shifts to half guard to maintain control, where he grinds out the remainder of the round.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ferreira
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Ferreira
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Ferreira

Round 3

There is a clap of hands to commence the final round, marking the first time that “The Hulk” has fought beyond the 10-minute mark. Ferreira appears fresh as a daisy, spearing his opponent with a power punch. Ferreira lunges forward to throw out two more, and he dips down to defend a faked takedown and eats a stunning left hand on the jaw. Ferreira raises his arms to ask Magomedov to bring it on, and Magomedov shrugs at him back. Ferreira plods forward, jabbing the body with a kick and pounding a few punches off the guard. Magomedov intercepts his advancing foe with an uppercut, and Ferreira lets his hands fly with two punches and a spinning strike. The spin works to his disadvantage, as “Abus” times an easy takedown that plants the Brazilian flat on his back. Magomedov moves into half guard, and Ferreira scrambles and gives his back up. Magomedov slips a hook in from behind, and he starts looking for a choke before getting the other in. This allows “The Hulk” to escape, and Magomedov looks at the clock and rushes at his opponent to tackle him down to the floor courtesy of a clean double. Ferreira hits his back and hacks with elbows to the back of the head, and he is warned loudly by Goddard. Magomedov ignores the strikes and steps over to mount and then the side, simultaneously securing an arm-triangle choke. The Russian by way of Germany locks the submission down and imposes his full body weight, and it is just a matter of time with Ferreira trapped in a precarious position. “The Hulk” surrenders before his lights go out, and Magomedov has now handed Ferreira his first career submission defeat.

The Official Result

Abusupiyan Magomedov def. Brunno Ferreira R3 3:14 via Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke)

Myktybek Orolbai (159) vs. Mateusz Rebecki (160)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Cerqueira (-112), Aslan (-108)

Round 1

Another victim of a weigh-in day switcheroo, the two lightweights in Rebecki (19-2, 3-1 UFC) and Orolbai (13-1-1, 2-0 UFC) now find themselves competing at a 160-pound catchweight. It is currently unclear which man struggled to make weight properly—or it could be both—as they comfortably reached that mark together. Referee Vitor Ribeiro draws the charge for this matchup outside of standard weight divisions, and he checks the fight in as the two men tap their gloves together. Rebecki strides forward ready to throw hands, and he punches his way in and clashes his chest against his opponent’s. Orolbai pushes him back, and gets tagged by a left hand. The sheer momentum of the two make them crash together more than once, and Rebecki is throwing everything he has at his opponent. Rebecki pitches out a left hand that reddens the nose of his adversary, and leg kicks are traded. Orolbai sneaks in a short right, and Rebecki slides to the side and batters his opponent on both sides of the head with power punches. Orolbai pushes out a right hand, and they bang their heads together when coming towards one another. Rebecki punches his way into a clinch, and he escapes before Orolbai can take advantage of it. Rebecki chops at the front leg and spins around, and he loads up on heavy blows that do not make Orolbai budge one inch. Orolbai tosses out a head kick after a one-two, and Rebecki counters with a clubbing left hand. Rebecki’s face begins to turn red from a few absorbed blows back his direction, and he pays it no mind as he loads up on his big left. Orolbai sticks his opponent with a right and gets blasted with a scooping left hand, and it causes immediate damage that swells up his right eye. Orolbai’s eye balloons from the power punches, and Rebecki targets it like a bullseye. Rebecki chops down the front leg, and Orolbai walks him down and just misses with a head kick. A left hand from the Polish fighter opens up the nose, and he gets knocked down from a counter right that might have been from him being off-balance. The horn sounds as Rebecki scrambles back upright to attack again.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Rebecki
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Rebecki
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Rebecki

Round 2

Ribeiro calls in the physician to example Orolbai’s swollen right eye, which has almost completely closed between rounds. Orolbai passes the vision test and is cleared to continue for now. He starts off the round looking for a takedown, hoping to stifle the momentum of Rebecki. The Polish fighter loads up so hard with his left hand that he dislodges his own mouthpiece, and resets it and eats a huge right hand on the jaw. Orolbai connects with a head kick and shoots for a takedown, and the tree stump that is Rebecki stops it in its tracks. Orolbai splits the guard with an uppercut, and he loads up on massive right hands in hopes of hurting Rebecki or opening something up. This allows Rebecki to wrap his hands around the waist and push him against the fence. Orolbai drops down to the floor for a takedown, and although he trips Rebecki up, he cannot ground Rebecki. “Chinczyk” checks Orolbai’s chin with a left hand, and Orolbai has to take a moment to recover from it and absorbs a thunderous left on the busted eye. The beacon of a swollen eye is the perfect place for Rebecki to punch, and Rebecki punches it again and again. Rebecki uses a leg kick to open up a right hook, and he gets caught by a right hand from his opponent but does not budge. Instead, Rebecki surges forward with a wild left hand, and he dips away from an uppercut. Rebecki hammers the front leg with a kick and goes up top with a left, and Orolbai checks a second kick and shoots in for a double. Rebecki uses the fence at his back to stay upright, but a subsequent effort from Orolbai drags him to the ground. Before they hit the canvas, Orolbai appears to crash his head into his opponent’s and a cut on Rebecki’s eye splits open and starts pouring blood. Rebecki wipes at it but keeps swinging with full power, and Orolbai measures him with uppercuts and somehow counters him. Orolbai rolls with the punches and snaps the head to the side with an elbow, and he gets popped with two right hooks and completely shrugs them off. Orolbai connects with a left, absorbs a one-two, and the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Rebecki
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Orolbai
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Orolbai

Round 3

With damage on both right eyes, doctors clear them without even needing to check on the fighters’ conditions. Orolbai opens up in the final round with an elbow, aimed at the cut. Rebecki unloads a left hand on the swollen eye socket, and it is miraculous that Orolbai can see out if it. Rebecki blasts his man in the face with a right hand as Orolbai is attacking with an elbow, and a bomb of a second right hand sends Orolbai crashing to the mat. Rebecki pours it on with an onslaught of right hands, smashing Orolbai’s nose to pieces and causing blood to spray across the Octagon. Ribeiro watches on closely but does not intervene, and Rebecki beats Orolbai like a rented mule. Rebecki wrenches Orolbai to the floor, hammering the fighter from Kyrgyzstan but not eliciting referee intervention. Orolbai muscles his way to a knee and his feet, and he continues to take destructive right hands and pursues a single. Rebecki remains on his feet despite Orolbai’s attempts, and he lowers himself to a knee and starts absorbing rights of his own. Rebecki turns the tables on his opponent and dumps him to his backside, climbing into top position while blood covers both men. It comes from both fighters, who leak and cover the mat as well. Through sheer force of will, Orolbai turns his opponent around and pounds on him with left hands and elbows to the body. Orolbai considers an arm-triangle choke but slips off the side due to the massive blood flow. Orolbai sits in half guard as Rebecki clings to his wrist, and Rebecki bursts back to his feet and is pushed to the wall. Orolbai is pushed away, and he drives a one-two on the chin. Rebecki tanks it and eats another power punch, and Orolbai rocks him with a huge right hook. Rebecki is totally spent, and he leans his back to the wall and survives to the bell. What a fantastic bloodbath, one instantly worthy of “Fight of the Night” and plenty of attention from physicians in the next few minutes. Just bleed.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Rebecki (30-27 Rebecki)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Rebecki (29-28 Rebecki)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Rebecki (29-28 Rebecki)

The Official Result

Mateusz Rebecki def. Myktybek Orolbai via Split Decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

Rafael dos Anjos (171) vs. Geoff Neal (171)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Neal (-305), dos Anjos (+245)

Round 1

Five years ago, this matchup might have been considered substantially more competitive than it is expected to be now. The younger Neal (15-6, 7-4 UFC) is a significant betting favorite against former lightweight kingpin dos Anjos (32-16, 21-14 UFC), but that does not mean “RDA” can be counted out so easily in this post-USADA era. Many aging competitors of late have seemed to find a fountain of youth, and dos Anjos could yet turn the corner as he shifts back up to welterweight. The third man in the Octagon will be referee Mark Smith, who stands back to let the two combatants get after it. There is a quick glove touch, and both fighters let fly leg kicks at the same time to clash their shins together. Neal looks to establish his jab, and he doubles up on his low kick. Neal drives “RDA” back with punches to the body, and he is met with an uppercut. Dos Anjos kicks him back, and Neal counters his opponent with a combination that sends dos Anjos collapsing to the floor. Dos Anjos’ eyes are wide but he is not in grave danger, and Neal recognizes he will not be putting the veteran away and backs off to let his opponent stand back up. Dos Anjos follows him up, and Neal tackles him down to the ground courtesy of a body lock. Neal gets off some ground-and-pound, and he lets dos Anjos turn over so he can stand back up. “Handz of Steel” measures his opponent with a one-two, and dos Anjos crumbles and grabs hold of his left leg. Neal walks away shrugging, disappointed that the fight has ended by injury, and Smith waves the fight off and declares that dos Anjos has injured his left knee. The Brazilian tells physicians that he heard a pop, and that’s a wrap on the 40-year-old’s birthday. Dos Anjos needs to be carried out of the cage, and hopefully can make a quick recovery—like Barnett, who ended up tearing his hamstring earlier tonight—and this does not spell the end of his impressive career.

The Official Result

Geoff Neal def. Rafael dos Anjos R1 1:30 via TKO (Knee Injury)

Ibo Aslan (205) vs. Raffael Cerqueira (203)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Cerqueira (-112), Aslan (-108)

Round 1

What was once a preliminary contest has been slotted as the prelim headliner likely due to its immense violence potential. With 23 finishes in their 24 combined wins, Aslan (13-1, 1-0 UFC) and Cerqueira (11-0, 0-0 UFC) will almost certainly leave the judges out of the equation. Referee Marc Goddard, on the other hand, is on high alert. Ahead of a likely gunslingers’ duel, the two meet in the middle and share a sporting touch of gloves. Cerqueira backs off to circle away and find his distance, while Aslan walks him down and tosses out a low kick as the crowd chants his name. Aslan paws out a left and intercepts Cerqueira’s kick with a left hook on the temple. Aslan rocks the Brazilian with another punch, and he opens up with a blazing combination of punches. “The Last Ottoman” unleashes a fury of offense, hammering Cerqueira with his fists and knocking him in and out of consciousness. As Aslan goes for broke early, he sees no counters flying his way, and instead is making Cerqueira’s knees quake while beating on him. Goddard acknowledges that there is no intelligent defense coming back from “The Lion,” and without letting Cerqueira go down, he intervenes to call a halt to the match. That was quick work for Aslan, who keeps his 100% knockout rate intact while handing Cerqueira his first career loss.

The Official Result

Ibo Aslan def. Raffael Cerqueira R1 0:51 via TKO (Punches)

Sharabutdin Magomedov (185) vs. Armen Petrosyan (186)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Magomedov (-155), Petrosyan (+130)

Round 1

A pair of projects who have run afoul of the savvy Fight Finder team will open up the main card of UFC 308, with plans on leaving no doubt as to who is the legitimate and rightful victor will be. Magomedov (14-0, 3-0 UFC) engaged in a number of mixed-rules matches that severely limited grappling in the past, while Petrosyan’s (9-3, 3-2 UFC) own team tried to hide a knockout win from his ledger as they were embarrassed he faced someone well below his level. Hopefully their records reflect their current achievements in MMA, and one more on their respective ledger will play in the next 15 minutes or less. Referee Kerry Hatley will keep things on the up-and-up, and the two middleweight strikers get to business after a quick glove touch. Petrosyan leads the dance with several early leg kicks, not fearing any reprisal. Chants for “Shara” rain down, and Petrosyan ignores them all and keeps adding kicks up. Magomedov sits down on a right hand, and Petrosyan tags him with a counter right that rocks “Shara Bullet.” Petrosyan takes a moment to realize his success, and he rushes forward and ends up clinching the bearded redhead. Petrosyan pushes his way out of the tie-up and eats a body kick, and he advances again throwing fists. They trade low kicks again and again, with Petrosyan’s volume giving Magomedov fits. Magomedov slips a punch, dodges a head kick and nails his opponent with a right hand. Petrosyan gives him a knee up the middle to think about, but he gets popped with a right hook again. Magomedov is a willing participant in trading leather, and Petrosyan counters a side kick with a clean left hand. Petrosyan shrugs off loud cheers and calls for his adversary so he can put hands on him, and he walks face-first into a left that backs him off. Magomedov turns his hips into a low kick, and Petrosyan hops out of the way and plants one back on the calf. Petrosyan rolls with a heavy overhand right, and he keeps chipping away at the front leg from both sides. Magomedov is throwing the leg kicks far heavier, but Petrosyan is pitching them constantly and regularly. Petrosyan sways to dodges a hook but a naked kick allows Magomedov to clip him. Magomedov kicks his man with a side kick, sending Petrosyan flying. “Superman” soars back to his feet, and Magomedov checks the low kicks that come. Petrosyan sits down on a body kick after letting loose with two punches, and he checks a kick. Petrosyan parries a punch and has a spinning back fist glance off his cheek to cut him right before the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Petrosyan
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Petrosyan

Round 2

The fighters clap hands, and Petrosyan once more comes out firing with kicks en masse. One low kick slides up and bumps into Magomedov’s cup, and Petrosyan offers an apologetic glove touch as Magomedov waves it off. Petrosyan works the front leg with kicks, switching stances and looking to find his timing on the bouncing Magomedov. Petrosyan kicks the inside leg again, and this time a cup check makes Magomedov drop to a knee and Hatley call time. Petrosyan instantly knows he committed a foul and reaches out to apologize, and Hatley warns Petrosyan for the infraction. After 45 seconds, Magomedov is good to go again, and they clap hands. Petrosyan remains in his foe’s face, and he punches his way into a clinch behind a solid right hand. Magomedov frames off to break out of the clinch, and he pushes out with a side kick. Magomedov times a body kick when Petrosyan reaches at him, and he narrowly avoids a power punch. Another Petrosyan kick gets dangerously close to the cup, and Magomedov clutches it as Hatley tells them to fight on. Petrosyan looses a head kick that is blocked, and a second is countered with a fierce right hand over the top. Magomedov jabs the body and head, and Petrosyan stays committed to leg work. Petrosyan beats his man to the punch, with a huge Magomedov haymaker going wide. Magomedov fires off a head kick that is blocked in the nick of time, and his side kick that follows bangs into Petrosyan’s cup. Hatley sighs as he calls time again, and Petrosyan takes 30 seconds to get his wind back. When getting back to it, they both kick one another, and Petrosyan gets away with another groin shot. Petrosyan’s body kick draws a reaction, and Magomedov drops his hands and strafes on the outside to measure his side kick and keep Petrosyan honest. Magomedov comes up short with a body shot and a right hand, and Petrosyan smacks his opponent in the face with a back fist. Petrosyan works the body with a kick and reaches out with a right hand, and he pecks with kicks low and high. Magomedov connects with a right hand but does not score the follow-up head kick. Petrosyan takes a side kick on the chest, and when he advances to throw leather, “Shara Bullet” spins with a back fist and then twirls the other direction with another spinning back fist, and the second concussive, shocking blow knocks Petrosyan clean off his feet. A defeated Petrosyan, on his knees and barely still with it, has nothing left to offer, while Magomedov knows his work here is done. Hatley reaches “Superman” before Magomedov, and this spectacular knockout—how many knockouts have come from not one but two back fists back-to-back—is an immediate contender for “Knockout of the Year” because of how unusual it is. Magomedov remains undefeated while arguably passing the toughest test of his career thus far.

The Official Result

Sharabutdin Magomedov def. Armen Petrosyan R2 4:52 via KO (Spinning Back Fists)

Dan Ige (146) vs. Lerone Murphy (145.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Murphy (-270), Ige (+220)

Round 1

The matchmaking is a bit strange in this next featherweight scrap, due to the momentum of the two competitors and what they have done for the UFC lately. Murphy (14-0-1, 6-0-1 UFC) averages around a fight a year while coming off his biggest career victory, but Ige (18-8, 10-7 UFC) carried part of UFC 303 on his Hawaiian shoulders and this was his reward. MMA is a cruel mistress at times. Referee Mark Smith will preside over the collision, one that kicks off without a touch of gloves. Ige comes out aggressively, stalking the undefeated fighter down with jabs and pressure. Murphy kicks to back him off, and a thudding low kick is met with a powerful right from the Hawaiian. Ige ignores anything coming back his way to connect on Murphy, but left hands from “The Miracle” have split him open and drawn blood. Ige uses his constant momentum to close in on his opponent, lift him up with a double and slam him down to the canvas. Murphy sits down calmly, biding his time until he can escape. Ige looks to establish top position, and Murphy turns to his side, nearly gives up his back, and fights back to his feet. Murphy connects with a few strikes to the body and head, and he backs Ige off. Murphy gets in a right hand as Ige is tossing out a left, and Murphy spins with a kick. Murphy is warned for outstretched fingers as he points them towards his adversary, and Ige swings and misses. When Murphy lets go with a body kick, Ige unloads with a ferocious left hand that sends Murphy down to the mat. Ige pounces, attempting to drum Murphy out, but Murphy manages to survive well enough to get to his feet and hurl back at his opponent. Murphy grabs Ige’s shorts and uses the momentum to take the fight down, but Ige turns him around with a kimura sweep on the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ige
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Ige
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Ige

Round 2

Murphy keeps his distance early in the round, trying to not let Ige bear down on him or throw himself off-balance. Ige lines up a big right hand, but Murphy’s movement does not allow him to pitch it. Murphy pushes out with the ball of his foot and a right hand, and he times an advancing Ige to slash at him with an elbow. Murphy looks for another elbow, and this opens him up for a body shot. Ige counters a leg kick with a left hand, and Murphy jabs him back. Ige just avoids a front kick and lumbers forward to sling a straight left, and he rips the body with a kick. Murphy jabs the midsection in response, and he follows it with a few more jabs and a spin kick to the ribs. Ige shoots in deep for a single, and he presses the unbeaten man against the wall and takes elbows on the side of the head. Murphy turns him about and drops down for his own takedown effort, and they trade knees on the inside. Murphy narrowly misses an elbow on the break, and his spinning back kick blazes past his opponent. Murphy jabs out with a front kick and throws two head kicks, keeping his targets varied and potshotting Ige from his preferred range. Ige loads up on heavy punches that are less accurate than before, and Murphy dips a punch to grip hold of Ige and sling him to the floor. Murphy secures full mount and allows Ige to turn over so he can take his back. Ige fights off the back take and turns Murphy over, and he falls into a triangle choke but is not remotely concerned as time soon expires.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Murphy
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Murphy
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Murphy

Round 3

Ige is the initial aggressor to start the final frame, bobbing and weaving his way forward while setting up power punches. Murphy stifles this by wrapping his arms around his foe to take the fight down, and Ige fights out of it and walks into a low kick that turns him around 360 degrees. Murphy is warned for his outstretched fingers again and does not do anything to change his approach, instead whipping a head kick at Ige that is blocked. The Hawaiian stops a takedown and turns the corner to put Murphy on his head, and a wild scramble from both results in Ige claiming a near crucifix position from the side. Ige returns to half guard to control, and he sets up an arm-triangle choke and flirts with securing mount. Murphy leans to grab hold of Ige’s ankle and hunt for a sweep, only for Ige to step over it and reclaim his arm-triangle position. Ige postures up to drop down a left hand, and Murphy throws his legs up to grip hold of a triangle choke. Ige leans back and breaks out of the submission attempt, allowing Murphy to turn to his knees so he can climb to his back. Ige gets a hook in but is unable to hold “The Miracle” down, as Murphy wall-walks and gets upright. Ige grabs the fence, is warned for it and releases the grip, and Murphy wrenches Ige to the mat. Murphy slugs his man in the back of the head, drawing another warning, and Ige tries for a takedown that is stifled as they both remain on their knees. Murphy hangs on with a head lock position that he turns into a choke, but Ige turns out of it as soon as he recognizes it closing in. Ige spins around, Murphy stands up along with the Hawaiian, and Ige knees him in the gut. Murphy slashes with an elbow, Ige wings punches, and Murphy jumps with a knee. Both men give it everything they have in one final salvo of strikes, and it’s anyone’s guess how the third round—and the fight as a whole—will be scored.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ige (29-28 Ige)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Murphy (29-28 Murphy)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Murphy (29-28 Murphy)

The Official Result

Lerone Murphy def. Dan Ige via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Magomed Ankalaev (204.5) vs. Aleksandar Rakic (206)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Ankalaev (-345), Rakic (+275)

Round 1

Austria has dual representation on the lineup, a rarity among UFC cards let alone ones that take place in the Middle East and not Europe. Russian title challenger Ankalaev (18-1-1, 1 NC; 10-1-1, 1 NC UFC) will try to grind, smash and press towards another crack at gold, but standing in his way is a recovered Rakic (14-4, 6-3 UFC). While Rakic is riding the first losing streak of his career, and has not won in over three years, he still serves as a solid test that Ankalaev has not already passed at the depleted light heavyweight ranks. Joining them in the cage will be referee “Shaolin” Vitor Ribeiro, who gets things started as the combatants decide against touching gloves. Ankalaev opens up wildly, hurling a huge left hand, only to slow down when Rakic fires a head kick at him. Ankalaev responds with a body kick, and they trade kicks to varied targets. Rakic comes up short with a right hand, and they hand-fight in alternating stances. Body kicks land with thumps on one another, and Rakic doubles up on it and tries to catch a low kick. Ankalaev digs another kick to the ribs, and Ribeiro asks for the fighters to close their fists. They don’t. Rakic chains a right hand into a head kick, and he scoots away when Ankalaev bears down on him. Ankalaev reaches his target with a straight left hand, and Rakic sits down on an inside low kick to retaliate. Ankalaev put a few fists on the midsection, keeping his guard up to block the inevitable head kick. Rakic scores a low kick and is punched in the face for his effort, and he times a head kick that nearly splits the guard. Ankalaev goes after a body kick after he leans back to dodge a punch, and Rakic chips away at the lead leg effectively. Ankalaev stalks him down, protecting his face when Rakic punches and kicks his way. Rakic kicks the front leg on the inside and outside, and Ribeiro keeps telling the fighters to close their hands to no avail. Ankalaev gets countered with a right hand over the top, and he eats a jab after landing his own left. Rakic beats on the guard with his shin, and he whiffs on a haymaker as Ankalaev comes up close. The horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Rakic
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Rakic
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Rakic

Round 2

Rakic picks up right where he left off, feeding Ankalaev a steady diet of leg kicks. Ankalaev crashes the pocket and turns to smack Rakic in the face with a clever up-elbow, and Rakic wears it well. Both men whiff punches, and Ankalaev’s head kick grazes the beard. Rakic reaches out with a right hand, and he jabs the body with the ball of his foot. Rakic splits the guard with a solid right, and he leans back to bash Ankalaev in the face with an intercepting left. Ankalaev reaches his target with punches to the head and body, and he ends as labored combination with a body kick. Ankalaev jabs his way in, but a left to the body is his best blow, as Rakic keeps a solid poker face but might be hurt. Rakic backs off and measures with distant strikes, and the crowd works into a lather in support of the Russian, who is landing cleaner. Ankalaev digs a left to the body and fires off a head kick that is blocked just in time, and he strings a few punches together to get Rakic’s attention. Rakic snaps out several more low kicks, reddening and welting his opponent’s front leg, but not seemingly compromising him. Ankalaev’s forward movement results in a clinch, and he pushes the Austrian to the wall and holds on. They both swing fists at the break but miss the mark, and Ankalaev rushes after him and tags his foe with a straight left. Ankalaev stabs the torso with a left hand, and he has a left hook brush past the top of Rakic’s dome. Rakic kicks high to get blocked, and he looks for a right hand on the inside as time expires.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ankalaev
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Ankalaev
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Ankalaev

Round 3

The fighters get going immediately, trading hands and feet without fear of reprisal. Ankalaev lunges with a left hand, snapping the head back and whiffing on a follow-up right. High kicks from both men bounce off the other’s guard, and Rakic backs off and spins with a back fist as Ankalaev is after him. Ankalaev slams his foot in the liver of his opponent, and Rakic comes up hitting air on the counter. As Rakic lands a right hand, sweat flies, and Ankalaev responds with a left that makes more fly off his opponent. Rakic digs for a body shot and leans back to avoid a huge hook, and Ankalaev walks him down and busts him in the chops with a scooping left hook. Rakic backs off and absorbs a second cleanly, and he gets on his bike and strafes to the side. Rakic suddenly shoots for a single, and Ankalaev hops back to the wall to keep his balance and set his limb down. Rakic transitions to a single on the other side, and he succeeds in leaning against Ankalaev but can do little else with his wrestling. Ankalaev turns his man about in the clinch, working the body with punches and knees until Rakic surges into action and spins him about. Ankalaev plants a solid knee on the torso, and he measures another as Rakic leans over. Ankalaev puts knees on the body as Rakic gains enough space to dirty box, and the Russian holds him tight until the slow-paced contest comes to a merciful conclusion—with neither looking like a strong threat to claim the throne of Alex Pereira.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ankalaev (29-28 Ankalaev)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Ankalaev (29-28 Ankalaev)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Ankalaev (29-28 Ankalaev)

The Official Result

Magomed Ankalaev def. Aleksandar Rakic via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Khamzat Chimaev (186) vs. Robert Whittaker (185.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Chimaev (-245), Whittaker (+200)

Round 1

An all-international middleweight rumble with immediate championship implications serves as the co-main attraction of UFC 308, one that has as much attention as any non-title tilt lately. Former beltholder Whittaker (26-7, 17-5 UFC) hopes that this next win will propel him back to the top of the mountain, and he will have to deflate undefeated marauder Chimaev (13-0, 7-0 UFC) in a five-round affair. Anticipation is high in the building, among fans and the media, and with referee Jason Herzog as well. Everyone takes a deep breath, and the intense fighters do not touch gloves. Whittaker kicks low, and Chimaev tries to go high and misses. Whittaker attacks the lead leg again, and shoots low for a double. Whittaker uses the wall to keep himself upright, and he is dragged down despite grabbing the fence to keep himself afloat. Chimaev gets a hook in around the side, and he starts opening up with left hands while Whittaker is on his knees. Chimaev considers fishing a choke arm around the head, but he elects to impose his body weight down to keep Whittaker stuck. Whittaker keeps his hand attached to his face to defend from any noteworthy strikes, and Chimaev imposes his will and starts slamming knees to the thigh. Whittaker turns the other direction and gets wrenched down flat for a moment, but he posts off his arms to stop Chimaev from getting hold of him. Chimaev takes the back of the former champ, but Whittaker’s savvy scramble gets him out of immediate danger. Chimaev almost instantly hits a mat return, dragging “Bobby Knuckles” to a knee. A few short punches from the Russian get around the guard, and he slithers one arm around the jaw to try to set something up. Whittaker scrambles again, and he bucks off a choke and twists to the side to stop from giving up his back. Chimaev holds on and looks for an elbow on the side of the head, and he snatches up a rear-naked choke grip on the face in a hurry. “Borz” cranks on the face with all his might, and he appears to harm Whittaker with the submission as Whittaker taps frantically in an instant. Chimaev releases the grip when Herzog intervenes, and he hurls his mouthpiece out of the cage to celebrate. Whittaker motions that his jaw or face was injured from the sub, and Chimaev has now prevailed over one of the top talents in the middleweight division with little resistance. It likely cannot be denied who is next for Chimaev, who expresses gratitude for Whittaker accepting the fight with him. Chimaev calls for UFC chief Dana White to give him a shot at the belt, and after that crushing victory, who could say no?

The Official Result

Khamzat Chimaev def. Robert Whittaker R1 3:34 via Submission (Face Crank)

UFC Featherweight Title Fight:
Ilia Topuria (145) vs. Max Holloway (145)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Topuria (-230), Holloway (+190)

Round 1

One of the best fights the UFC could possibly make serves as the main attraction, and it is one for all the marbles. Topuria (15-0, 7-0 UFC) puts his featherweight strap and undefeated record on the line against former champ Holloway (26-7, 22-7 UFC), and excitement is at a fever pitch. No more introductions are needed. Referee Marc Goddard brings the gladiators to the center of the Octagon to touch gloves, and they do just that. It’s on with the show. Topuria stands in the middle of the cage and points to the ground, and Holloway motions a matador gesture to counter him. They do not brawl it out immediately. Topuria advances calmly instead, measuring the former champ and blocking a head kick and a few jabs. Topuria goes over the top with a right hand that misses the mark, and a second nearly lands as well. Holloway keeps active with jabs and body kicks, and he swipes out with a right hook that misses the mark. Topuria puts everything he has into a huge right hand, and Holloway is wise to it and pecks at him with sharp jabs. Topuria shoots in and lifts “Blessed” off his feet, driving him to the canvas with a solid double. Holloway wall-walks, and Topuria forced a mat return. Holloway stands once more and breaks away, and he checks a low kick and advances with a right hand. Topuria gives him a right to think about, but Holloway does not let him off the hook and pegs him with a pair of punches. Topuria chops at the front leg a few times, and he tags Holloway with a right hand. Holloway skirts out of the way before absorbing more than a few, and Topuria works his front leg with another hard kick. Holloway snaps out a jab, marking up Topuria’s face and coming up short with a front kick. Topuria reaches his target with a jab, and Holloway prods out with low kicks. Topuria tries to swing it out, and Holloway is composed enough to evade the blows and get off a long right hand on the way out. Holloway splits the guard with a front kick and has his guard high to defend the counters, and his head kick bounces off the guard. Holloway peppers his opponent with a low kick and jabs, and he follows a jab with a two. Topuria shakes it off and walks into a jab that makes him reset, and he dodges a spinning back kick in time. Topuria throws hammers, and he knocks an off-balance Holloway down to the mat in what was more of a slip or a trip than a clean strike, and the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Holloway

Round 2

The featherweights clap hands to get started again, and Holloway fights immediately behind his jab. Topuria comes up short with a low kick and a right hand, and he gets caught on the way in with a jab. Holloway tags the champ with a clean right, and he trades low kicks with his opponent. Holloway goes to the head and body with jabs, and he takes one on the nose to back him away. Topuria wings power punches that hit air, but his calf kick finds its mark. Topuria clubs Holloway on the side of the head with winging punches, and he chains a calf kick after it. Topuria gets in a right hand and has a leg kick checked, and Holloway snaps his head back with a jab. Holloway steps in with a knee behind a few jabs, and he stomps at the front knee of his adversary. Topuria drills Holloway in the chin with a left hand, and he goes after the front leg with a kick again. Topuria’s punches connect cleanly on the jaw of the Hawaiian, who shows him what time it is with a left hook and a head kick on the other side. Topuria loads up on power strikes, and Holloway’s jabs are disrupting him just enough so that he does not get them full blast. Holloway dips a huge hook and jabs away, and he reaches out with a body shot. Topuria answers in kind, and he rolls with a right hook. Holloway kicks the side as he fires off jabs, and he checks a kick and kicks his man back. Holloway knees the side as Topuria barrels down on him, and he nails the champ with a short left and a power right. Topuria responds with a right hand, and he is met with multiple low kicks in response. Chants for both fighters are deafening in the building, and Holloway chains a number of punches together to decent effect. Topuria kicks the front leg and gets met with a body kick, and he eats a right hand when throwing one. Holloway scores a spinning back kick to the body, and Topuria shrugs at him before the round comes to a close.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Topuria
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Topuria

Round 3

It’s back to more face-punching as they resume again, and Holloway uses his punches to set up two low kicks and a third up high. Topuria walks through a leg kick to land a right on the chin, and Holloway scores a left hand as Topuria points at him. Topuria deploys a powerful leg kick, and a second one is met with long punches from the former champ. Holloway stomps at his foe’s front leg a few times, and Topuria does not lie it. Topuria winds up with a huge right hand, knocking the former champ back and stunning him. Holloway shells up and defends himself from an onslaught, and he is still rocked even as he counters and circles away. Topuria is on top of him ready to finish the job, further backing Holloway up to the wall and letting loose with a bombardment of punches. A ferocious left hand in the midst of a fierce flurry knocks Holloway down to the ground, and Topuria has achieved something no featherweight has ever accomplished. Topuria lowers himself down to blast Holloway with a number of hammerfists, and Holloway’s lights go out and get switched back on from the stream of blows. Goddard sees that Holloway has had enough and waves the fight off, and Topuria wanders away and motions sipping at tea. Incredible! Topuria has done the impossible, knocking out a fighter who had never before been stopped with strikes. Topuria is still undefeated, having notched back-to-back finishes that will stack up among the greatest ever performed in the division. Topuria leaps out of the cage to embrace anyone he can find, including UFC chief exec Hunter Campbell and television host Steve Harvey. As he returns to the cage, he receives a rose for his effort. Topuria welcomes all challengers, including former champion Alexander Volkanovski, who takes the cage to greet him. Topuria says he does not want to fight anyone right now, and instead wants to hug Volkanovski. He does just that. Full of love, Topuria wants to celebrate this victory with his family and team. It remains to be seen who is next for the champion, who cements himself as a star and one of the greats in his weight class because of this spectacular triumph. No matter who is next for “El Matador,” we will be here for it. We hope you are too.

The Official Result

Ilia Topuria def. Max Holloway R3 1:34 via KO (Punches)