Former UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway will look to reclaim his throne once again against reigning division king Ilia Topuria who will make his first title defense at UFC 308 this weekend. The two titans will engage in a grueling five-round battle, with fans supporting ‘Blessed’, emphasizing his impressive victory earlier this summer at the historic UFC 300, where he delivered a stunning knockout of Justin Gaethje to claim the BMF title, securing his place in MMA history.

As Holloway’s fans eagerly await to see him utilize the same technique he used to put Gaethje to sleep, they anticipate his triumph in this five-round contest. However, fighter-turned-analyst Michael Bisping doesn’t share the same sentiment; he senses something suspicious regarding Ilia ‘El Matador’ as the fight draws closer.

Is a trap waiting for Max Holloway?

“Yes,” if you listen to Michael Bisping, who is leveraging his keen analytical insights to predict the outcome of the UFC 308 headline fight. Bisping is well aware of Max Holloway’s exceptional endurance, where his stamina has been a defining factor throughout his career, allowing the Hawaiian to push fights beyond the third round and into the fifth. This has been consistently demonstrated in every fight since 2018, where the 32-year-old BMF titleholder continues to enhance his cardio and evolve his fighting style.

“Well, this man is a five-round machine,” Bisping said, highlighting ‘Blessed’s’ skill. “I feel that now, at 32 years old, Max Holloway has the maturity, style, and experience to turn this fight into a longer affair, which will give him an advantage over Ilia Topuria.”

However, Michael Bisping also hinted that this advantage could turn into a disadvantage for Holloway against Ilia Topuria. Emphasizing ‘El Matador’s punching power, Bisping stated, “I think that’s what Ilia is doing here; he’s trying to set a trap. He’s saying, ‘Come on, point at the ground, let’s go to war right here,’ because he wants to knock Holloway out. When you compare these two fighters on paper, they’re both incredible boxers.” Bisping further drove his point home, adding, “But one big difference that stands out is the power of Ilia Topuria. It’s just different; he puts people to sleep.”

As the fight draws near, hearing these remarks from a figure as respected in fight analysis as Michael Bisping is surely unsettling news for Max Holloway. He might be even more disappointed if he learns what UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall thinks about his chances of winning.

Tom Aspinall’s dismal prediction for Max Holloway before Abu Dhabi Showdown

Since his debut in the octagon, 5’7″ Ilia Topuria has become a force to be reckoned with. In a short period, he has emerged victorious in all 7 of his promotional fights, with 4 of those wins coming by knockout. His most recent victim was former featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, who was devastatingly put to sleep. This historical unseating was a clear demonstration of  ‘El Matador’s’ punching power. Now, Topuria is setting his sights on defending his belt after nine months against Max Holloway, a fighter renowned for his striking ability. This matchup has left fans wondering who will deliver the knockout.

Tom Aspinall is outspoken regarding Ilia Topuria’s prospects, highlighting his shorter height, which he effectively utilizes with his orthodox stance, compared to the 5’11” Max Holloway. Speaking to TNT Sports, Aspinall placed his bet on Topuria, stating, “I think I’m going to go out there and say, Ilia Topuria can put him down – he’s got the power to do so, and he mixes it up so well between the disciplines. I would not be surprised if Max Holloway got dropped in this fight.”

What are your thoughts on Michael Bisping’s remarks? Do you think Ilia Topuria, with his fight IQ and punching power, can effectively corner Max Holloway, or will ‘Blessed’ manage to bounce back? Drop your opinion below.