UFC 308 Betting Preview

A stacked card lies ahead in Abu Dhabi at UFC 308 this weekend. Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway face off for the Featherweight title in what is a highly anticipated main event. Meanwhile, the co-main event sees a huge Middleweight fight as Robert Whittaker clashes with Khamzat Chimaev. 

The UFC 308 Main Card

• Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway – UFC Featherweight title
• Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev
• Magomed Ankalaev vs. Aleksandar Rakić
• Lerone Murphy vs. Dan Ige
• Shara Magomedov vs. Armen Petrosyan

UFC 308 Main Card Betting Tips

– Ilia Topuria vs Max Holloway – To go the distance – 31/20 (Bet 365)

– Lerone Murphy to win by decision or technical decision – 5/6 (Bet 365)

– Sharabutdin Magomedov to Win & Over 1.5 Rounds – 10/11 (Bet MGM)

Bet 1 Explained: Ilia Topuria vs Max Holloway – To go the distance – 31/20

Ilia Topuria took the Featherweight title in seven fights, knocking out Alexander Volkanovski in the second round at UFC 298 in February. The 27-year-old has five finishes on his UFC record, four coming by KO/TKO and one by submission.

The durable Josh Emmett went the full five rounds with Topuria in what turned out to be a title eliminator, with Max Holloway expected to bring a much tougher test. The Hawaiian has never been knocked down in his 29-fight UFC career, where he is 22-7.

A former 145lb champion, Holloway was last seen at Lightweight at UFC 300 knocking out Justin Gaethje in the final second of their BMF title fight. Both possess a high striking I.Q and, while Topuria seemingly has the advantage in the grappling, Holloway’s experience in riding out danger on the feet and ground could see this go the full 25-minute distance.

Bet 2 Explained: Lerone Murphy to win by decision or technical decision – 5/6

The UK’s Lerone Murphy entered the Featherweight top 15 with a career best victory over Edson Barboza in May, earning a unanimous decision win against the veteran over five rounds. 

The 33-year-old looked comfortable in what was his first headline slot, in his first fight in America. The Manchester fighter has fought four times in Abu Dhabi and aside from a controversial draw in his UFC debut, has won the rest.  With a record of 6-0-1 in the UFC, Murphy brings an intelligent counter-striking style that could trouble his opponent Dan Ige.

The Hawaiian is 10-7 in the UFC and was last seen in June putting on a good display in defeat against Diego Lopes on four hours notice at UFC 303. Since 2021 Ige is 4-5 in the UFC, tending to come off the wrong side of decisions when fights go to the judges scorecards.  Expect Ige to keep coming forward but Murphy to use his I.Q to earn another win on the scorecards.

Bet 3 Explained: Sharabutdin Magomedov to Win & Over 1.5 Rounds – 10/11

Shara Magomedov makes his fourth UFC appearance this weekend having quickly become a fan favourite. The Dagestan fighter doesn’t have the combat sambo of many of his compatriots in the UFC and instead is a flashy kickboxer with ultra high volume.

Magomedov has won back to back bonuses with a “Fight of the Night” win over Michał Oleksiejczuk in April coming off the back of a “Performance of the Night” third round stoppage of Antonio Trócoli in Saudi Arabia in June.

Armen Petrosyan is 3-2 in the UFC with solid wins over Christian Leroy Duncan, AJ Dobson and Gregory Rodrigues. The 33-year-old was last seen in February suffering a first round submission defeat to Rodolfo Vieira. The styles should gel nicely here and the stylish Magomedov is fancied to outstike his opponent.