‘Fight Island’ Returns! 22 Fun Tidbits, Facts & Storylines

Final Combating Championship (UFC) travels to the Center East this weekend (Sat., Oct. 26, 2024) for its super-stacked twelfth pay-per-view (PPV) occasion of the season, UFC 308, from inside Etihad Enviornment in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

In UFC 308’s PPV most important occasion, newly-minted Featherweight kingpin, Ilia Topuira, makes his highly-anticipated first title protection in opposition to Baddest Motherf—ker (BMF), Max Holloway. Within the co-main occasion, Khamzat Chimaev FINALLY returns (fingers crossed) in opposition to former Middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker.

UFC 308 is completely crafted with enjoyable fights from prime to backside, so earlier than all of it goes down from “Battle Island,” let’s checkout some random storylines, tidbits and statistics forward of showtime …

Picture by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

Finest Battle For The Relaxation Of 2024

There have been some completely unbelievable fights in 2024, however the principle occasion of 308 between Topuria vs. Holloway is by far the very best battle for the remainder of the yr, and there’s an argument for the very best battle of 2024.

There may be a lot to this battle. The trash speak has been fairly heated, however it’s the technical facet that’s so intriguing—Topuria’s boxing vs. Holloway’s boxing, energy vs. quantity, the peak distinction, and the brand new guard vs. the previous guard.

Fighter Of The 12 months?

It is going to be powerful for anybody to topple Alex Pereira as 2024’s “Fighter of the 12 months,” but when Topuria goes out and finishes Holloway, he may have a declare. One, as a result of Holloway has solely been stopped as soon as in his legendary profession, and two, as a result of Topuria has already knocked out former Featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski.

The Large 30

UFC 308 can be Holloway’s thirtieth battle contained in the octagon. The 32-year-old made his UFC debut method again at UFC 143 in 2012 in opposition to Dustin Poirier.

Primary Eventers

UFC 308 can be Topuria’s third UFC most important occasion—his third consecutive (UFC 298, UFC Jacksonville). It is going to be Holloway’s eleventh time headlining a UFC card.

Title Battle Vet

Holloway has competed in 10 title fights.

Knock On Wooden

After quite a few sicknesses and setbacks, Chimaev returns to competitors this weekend, however everybody studying this should cease and knock on wooden as a result of there’s nonetheless time for “Borz” to drag out.Chimaev has not fought since UFC 294, the place he defeated Kamaru Usman. Previous to that, he fought Kevin Holland at UFC 279.

All indicators level to Chimaev being wholesome as soon as once more and able to get again on observe.

Rebooked!

Chimaev and Whittaker had been alleged to conflict on the most important occasion of UFC’s first-ever present in Saudi Arabia earlier this summer time; nonetheless, “Borz” pulled out every week earlier than the battle. Whittaker went on to knock out Ikram Aliskerov.

Now, they lastly throw down.

5 Spherical Co-Primary

One very last thing about Chimaev vs. Whittaker … they’re combating for 5 rounds. And it is smart as a result of there are a whole lot of stakes connected to it, like a potential Middleweight title shot.

Thanks, Now Battle This Killer

Earlier this yr, Dan Ige obtained legendary standing and stepped in on 4 hours’ discover to battle Diego Lopes. Whereas he didn’t win the battle, he was ultra-competitive. UFC CEO Dana White stated he would do something for Ige due to his badassness.

Effectively, that lasted all of two weeks as a result of after Ige didn’t get a spot at UFC 306, one thing he requested for, he received booked in opposition to undefeated killer Lerone Murphy.

Wahoo!!!

Pirate Returns

Prime prospect Sharabutdin Magomedov, aka the Russian fighter with one eye, is kicking off the PPV most important card. He’s 3-0 so far contained in the promotion however is combating his hardest take a look at tomorrow: kickboxing champion Armen Petrosyan.

Welcome To UFC!

Two fighters make their UFC debut this weekend.

Raffael Cerqueira (11-0) fights Ibo Aslan. Cerqueira was alleged to compete in season eight of Contender Sequence however was referred to as to battle at UFC 308 as a substitute. Cerqueira holds a 91% end fee with eight knockouts.

Goodbye Light-weight

Former UFC legend and Light-weight champion Rafael Dos Anjos returns tomorrow, and he’s lastly finished reducing to 155 kilos. He’ll keep at Welterweight for the remainder of his profession, which he says is 4 extra fights (the remainder of his closing contract).

RDA has had so-so outcomes at Welterweight and can battle knockout artist Geoff Neal.

Oh, and he’s combating on his birthday.

‘Huggy Bear’ Returns

After 25 months away from the cage due to accidents and different life issues, fan-favorite Heavyweight, Chris Barnett, returns to the cage. He was final in motion at UFC 279 in opposition to Jake Collier.

Barnett welcomes former 205-pound standout, Kennedy Nzechukwu, to the Heavyweight division.

Weigh-In Fiasco

The third battle on the “Prelims” between Faird Basharat and Victor Hugo was alleged to be contested at Bantamweight. Nevertheless, Hugo got here in 10 lbs chubby, which might normally cancel a battle. Minutes earlier than the early morning weigh-in, Hugo let Basharat’s group know he was heavy, and the battle was modified to a Featherweight bout.

Yikes.

UFC 308 Battle Chief

The fighter with essentially the most profession fights competing at UFC 308 is dos Anjos (48).

UFC 308 Battle Rookie

The fighter with the least quantity of profession fights competing at UFC 308 is Cerqueira (11).

UFC 308 Knockout King

The fighter with essentially the most quantity of profession knockouts competing at UFC 308 is Abus Magomedov (14).

UFC 308 Submission Savant

The fighter with essentially the most quantity of profession submissions competing at UFC 308 is RDA (11).

Winners And Losers

Eighteen fighters are coming off wins, whereas seven are coming off losses.

Multi-Divisions

Listed below are the divisions that can be on show this Saturday:

One Heavyweight battle
Two Mild Heavyweight fights
4 Middleweight fights
Two Welterweight fights
One Light-weight
Two Featherweight fights
One Bantamweight battle