Waianae’s Max Holloway is set for his next big fight.
The MMA world was Holloway’s oyster following UFC 300 in which he knocked out Justin Gaethje for the ‘BMF’ belt, but his first bout since then will not be a title defense.
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On Saturday morning, UFC president Dana White announced that Holloway will face Ilia Topuria for the featherweight belt in the main event of UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi on Oct. 26.
Topuria (15-0) won the 145 title with a knockout over Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 in February.
Holloway is 1-1 in Abu Dhabi, where his most recent bout there was one of his most memorable, a five-round striking display victory over Calvin Kattar.
UFC 308 will be Holloway’s first time fighting for the featherweight belt since UFC 276 in July 2022 in which he lost to Volkanovki via unanimous decision.
Also featured on the UFC 308 card is Haleiwa’s Dan Ige (18-8), who will face Lerone Murphy (14-0-1). Ige’s most recent fight was historic, stepping in to face Diego Lopes just hours before the fight.
Holloway and Ige have never competed on the same UFC card.