UFC 308: TOPURIA VS HOLLOWAY

[mrpickem]

UFC 308: TOPURIA VS HOLLOWAY
ETIHAD ARENA - ABU DHABI, DHUBAI



This is a really good card guys. The oil money from Dubai must be huge to get Dana to schedule this so early vs CFB.



I been sluggish last couple months and can't get hot...maybe it starts today

 

[mrpickem]

UFC 308: TOPURIA VS HOLLOWAY​

ETIHAD ARENA - ABU DHABI, DHUBAI

Prelims:​

• 3/1.50 Rinat Fakhretdinov -200
• 3/1.44 Leal/Fakhretdinov o2½ -209
• 3/1.82 Ismail Naurdiev -165
• 2/2.34 Silva/Naurdiev o2½ +117

• Fakhretdinov(21-1-1) is a tough matchup for many welterweights especially a short notice newcomer. Leal is a dangerous striker with power, but the grappling pace of Fakhretdinov he hasn't seen..at least at this level. Look for the "Gladiator" to repeat takedowns with some control for most of the fight, and should be an easy decision.
• I used to be big on Silva, but his development just hasn't progressed. This fight should be a banger at middleweight. Naurdiev looks to make a statement in return after 4 years. Silva looks to just find a win after 3 straight losses. I'll side with the youth and speed of Naurdiev along with Silva’s lack of output. Naurdiev keeps distance and outstrikes Silva to for another decision.
• I like Basharat(12-0) but not at -700 and not convinced he gets finish.

​

​

 

[pb278817]

Got the home cooking judges again. Holy crap haha

 

[GridironGems]

Over 2.5 rounds like 16 straight UFC fights. Crazy

 

[mrpickem]

UFC 308: TOPURIA VS HOLLOWAY​

ETIHAD ARENA - ABU DHABI, DHUBAI

Prelims:​

3/1.50 Rinat Fakhretdinov -200
3/1.44 Leal/Fakhretdinov o2½ -209
3/1.82 Ismail Naurdiev -165
2/2.34 Silva/Naurdiev o2½ +117
[4-0 +7.1u]

Rest of the prelims...

• 1/5.70 Chris Barnett +570
• 3/2.80 Barnett/Nzechukwu u1½ -107
• 3/4.17 BRUNNO FERREIRA +139
• 2.22/2 MAGOMEDOV/FERREIRA) u1½ -111
• 4/1.38 Myktybek Orolbai -290
• 4/1.92 dos Anjos/Neal o2½ -215
• 2/2.00 Ibo Aslan +100

• Two big HWs who can throw. Barnwett hasnt fought in over 2 years, but he likes to close distance very quickly and sling haymakers. Nzechukwu(12-5) is far more technical with significant reach advantage and should be able to piece him up. Just don't underestimate the crazy style that is "Huggy Bear" Barnett.
• Ferreira(12-1) starts fast and throws everything right away. He will land often, it just takes one solid smash to change the course and lead to an early finish.
• Rebecki’s(19-2) a muscle freak that loves a high pace, problem is he don't have the cardio to last with that style. Orolbai(13-1-1) is well-rounded and has the tools to match "Chinczyk" until he gasses.
• Neal is a solid striker and will definitely land in bunches so long as he keeps fight standing. Dos Anjos is as tough as they come, so although I favor Neal, I just can't see him getting the finish.

​

 

[mrpickem]

UFC 308: TOPURIA VS HOLLOWAY​

ETIHAD ARENA - ABU DHABI, DHUBAI

Prelims:​

3/1.50 Rinat Fakhretdinov -200
3/1.44 Leal/Fakhretdinov o2½ -209
3/1.82 Ismail Naurdiev -165
2/2.34 Silva/Naurdiev o2½ +117


1/5.70 Chris Barnett +570
3/2.80 Barnett/Nzechukwu u1½ -107
3/4.17 BRUNNO FERREIRA +139
2.22/2 MAGOMEDOV/FERREIRA) u1½ -111
4/1.38 Myktybek Orolbai -290
4/1.92 dos Anjos/Neal o2½ -215
2/2.00 Ibo Aslan +100
[6-5 -2.22u]

Main card:​

• 3/4.50 Armen Petrosyan +150
• 3/1.40 Petrosyan/Magomedov Over 2½ -214
• 4/1.32 Lerone Murphy -302
• 3/8.10 Aleksandar Rakic +270

• Magomedov (14-0) may be a little over-hyped, as he has shown weakness in grappling. Petrosyan (8-3) is as experienced grappler who may be able to expose such weakness like he did against Christian Leroy Duncan. He can mix in his striking and takedowns to get a decision.
• Murphy's(14-0-1) wrestling and grappling will likely prove the difference maker vs 50K Ige(18-8). Both are solid strikers.
• Ankalaev- Rakic actually seem way closer than the odds would indicate. If Ankalaev stands and trades for long, he's gonna be shocked with power incoming. Rakic will throw lots of leg kicks, where we’ve seen Ankalaev struggle to defend in the past.

The winner!

 

[mrpickem]

UFC 308: TOPURIA VS HOLLOWAY​

ETIHAD ARENA - ABU DHABI, DHUBAI

Prelims:
3/1.50 Rinat Fakhretdinov -200
3/1.44 Leal/Fakhretdinov o2½ -209
3/1.82 Ismail Naurdiev -165
2/2.34 Silva/Naurdiev o2½ +117
1/5.70 Chris Barnett +570
3/2.80 Barnett/Nzechukwu u1½ -107
3/4.17 BRUNNO FERREIRA +139
2.22/2 MAGOMEDOV/FERREIRA) u1½ -111
4/1.38 Myktybek Orolbai -290
4/1.92 dos Anjos/Neal o2½ -215
2/2.00 Ibo Aslan +100

Main card:
3/4.50 Armen Petrosyan +150
3/1.40 Petrosyan/Magomedov Over 2½ -214
4/1.32 Lerone Murphy -302
3/8.10 Aleksandar Rakic +270
[7-8 -12.0u]

Top of the Card:​

• 3/6.18 ROBERT WHITTAKER +206
• 3/2.70 Chimaev/Whittaker o2½ -111
• 3/6.60 Max Holloway +220

 

[mrpickem]

Good card with some special moments.

Bonuses ​

Fight Of The Night: Mateusz Rebecki vs Myktybek Orolbai​

Mateusz Rebecki and Myktybek Orolbai put on a brutal show in their intense 160-pound catchweight fight, with Rebecki ultimately securing a split decision victory at the Etihad Arena. Now 20-2, Rebecki fought through a gritty, back-and-forth clash, knocking down Orolbai in the third round but not without fierce opposition throughout. Despite a swollen eye, Orolbai, now 13-2-1, showcased his toughness as he narrowly missed victory in a tough battle.

Performance: Illia Topuria​

Featherweight champion Ilia Topuria made good on his promise, defending his title in Abu Dhabi with a third-round knockout of former champ Max Holloway in the UFC 308 main event. After claiming the title by finishing Alexander Volkanovski in February, Topuria’s flawless 16-0 record now includes another top-tier opponent. Both fighters traded at a distance early on, with Topuria applying pressure and landing heavy strikes. In the third, a powerful right shook Holloway, setting up a final left that ended the fight.

Performance: Shara Magomedov​

Undefeated middleweight Shara Magomedov reminded everyone of his danger with a statement second-round knockout over Armen Petrosyan in the main card opener. Despite a strong start from Petrosyan, Magomedov quickly found his rhythm, keeping everyone on their toes. In round two, he pulled ahead and finished the fight with a stunning double backfist that dropped Petrosyan, prompting an immediate stoppage at 4:52. Magomedov’s record now stands at 15-0.

Performance: Khamzat Chimaev ​

Khamzat Chimaev made a big return after a year, submitting former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker in under four minutes. Chimaev quickly secured a takedown, regained control after a brief scramble, and locked in an intense face crank for the tap at 3:34 of the first round. Chimaev, ranked No. 13, remains undefeated at 14-0, while Whittaker, ranked No. 3, now holds a 27-8 record.


Unfortunately for me, the night went to shit quickly after a 5-1 start. Two knee injuries, bad scoring, not to mention plainly bad picks all contributed as I really fell of the table. ⬇

UFC 308: TOPURIA VS HOLLOWAY​

ABU DHABI, DHUBAI

Prelims:
3/1.50 Rinat Fakhretdinov -200
3/1.44 Leal/Fakhretdinov o2½ -209
3/1.82 Ismail Naurdiev -165
2/2.34 Silva/Naurdiev o2½ +117
1/5.70 Chris Barnett +570
3/2.80 Barnett/Nzechukwu u1½ -107
3/4.17 BRUNNO FERREIRA +139
2.22/2 MAGOMEDOV/FERREIRA) u1½ -111
4/1.38 Myktybek Orolbai -290
4/1.92 dos Anjos/Neal o2½ -215
2/2.00 Ibo Aslan +100

Main card:
3/4.50 Armen Petrosyan +150
3/1.40 Petrosyan/Magomedov Over 2½ -214
4/1.32 Lerone Murphy -302
3/8.10 Aleksandar Rakic +270
3/6.18 ROBERT WHITTAKER +206
3/2.70 Chimaev/Whittaker o2½ -111
3/6.60 Max Holloway +220
[7-11 -19.0u]

Still up on the year, but my cushion in shinking.