Connect with us

Sports

How does the UFC featherweight ranking look after Topuria vs Holloway in UFC 308?

Published

on

/ 2527 Views

Ilia Topuria hit challenger Max Holloway with a huge left hook in the third round of their UFC 308 bout in Abu Dhabi, sending the American crashing to the canvas and out - the first time the American had been knocked out in his career.

Topuria claimed the UFC featherweight title in February when he knocked out Alexander Volkanovski and his defeat of Holloway means he retains his title.

“To beat a legend like Max Holloway, I can’t believe it you know, he inspired me so much in my career,” said Topuria after the fight, as he paid respects to the American legend.

Ilia Topuria hits Max Holloway
Full screen
Ilia Topuria hits Max HollowayALI HAIDEREFE

UFC featherweight ranking

Ilia Topuria retains his featherweight title, and the man he beat back in February, Alexander Volkanovski, is still the number one top ranked challenger. After tonight’s fight Volkanovski came into the ring to congratulate Topuria and pair shook hands, possibly setting up a rematch. “”I want [Alexander Volkanovski]. Right now I don’t want to fight with anyone,” said Topuria.

Max Holloway was previously behind Volkanovski on the list, ahead of Diego Lopes and Yair Rodriguez.

The actual rankings will be updated in the coming days, with the ranking jury being made up of media individuals from 21 media outlets. They rank the individual fighters across the eleven different weight divisions for the men and women every week. There are also pound-for-pound lists, currently topped by Islam Makhachev for the men and Valentina Shevchenko for the women.

What’s clear is Topuria remains the man to beat in the featherweight division and after tonight’s destruction of Holloway has a claim to being recognised as the best pound-for-pound in the sport.

See also: Who is Giorgina Uzcategui, Ilia Topuria’s girlfriend?

Trending