Yair Rodriguez Picked Holloway Before UFC 308
Before UFC 308 in October 2024, former interim featherweight champion Yair Rodriguez picked Max Holloway to defeat Ilia Topuria, citing Holloway’s experience and ability to manage distance. The prediction did not hold: Topuria stopped Holloway with a third-round knockout and retained the featherweight title.
Rodriguez’s pick
Rodriguez shared his view with MMA Junkie during fight week in Abu Dhabi. He pointed to Holloway’s broad skill set and tactical awareness, while recognizing that Topuria carried serious knockout power. Rodriguez’s read was that Holloway’s movement and distance control could help him avoid the exchanges where Topuria was most dangerous. MMA Junkie’s report includes Rodriguez’s prediction.
Rodriguez had first-hand experience with Holloway’s pace. The two met in a five-round main event in November 2021, when Holloway won by unanimous decision. That bout offered a useful reference for Rodriguez’s assessment, though Topuria presented a different challenge with his compact boxing and finishing power.
What happened at UFC 308
Topuria’s first title defense ended in the third round. After both fighters exchanged in the pocket, Topuria hurt Holloway and followed with punches to score the knockout at 1:34. Holloway had never been stopped by knockout in his professional career before the bout. The result preserved Topuria’s unbeaten record and ended Holloway’s bid to regain the featherweight championship.
The UFC’s official UFC 308 results record Topuria’s third-round finish. The outcome also put Rodriguez’s forecast in perspective: Holloway’s experience and distance work were real strengths, but Topuria created the decisive opening before the fight reached the championship rounds.
A prediction, not a guarantee
Rodriguez’s pick reflected a plausible matchup path, not a certainty. Holloway had previously gone the distance with him, while Topuria’s power and precision proved decisive against another elite featherweight. With UFC 308 now complete, the record is clear: Rodriguez backed Holloway, and Topuria retained the title by knockout.
Sources
Tags: Boxing, Combat Sports, UFC 308
