UFC 308 is live from Abu Dhabi on Saturday, meaning the main card fireworks begin at 2:00 p.m. ET.
The pregame narrative: Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway battle for the featherweight title and I think fans will get their money’s worth in a lengthy scrap. Before that, parlay two heavy favourites — Magomed Ankalaev and Khamzat Chimaev — to win.
Check out my UFC 308 picks for Oct. 26.
UFC 308 picks overview
Click link to add selection to betslip. Note: Lines have changed/market no longer available if grey.
| UFC 308 picks | Odds | Bet now ⬇️ |
| Topuria/Holloway fight to start Round 5 | -112 | Add to betslip |
| Parlay: Ankalaev and Chimaev to win | -134 | Pick 1 + Pick 2 |
UFC picks made at 4:08 p.m. ET on 10/25/24.
Go to full UFC betting markets.
UFC 308 picks
Best Bet: Topuria/Holloway fight to start Round 5 (-112)
Topuria’s meteoric rise to the featherweight throne was capped when he caught Alexander Volkanovski with a devastating right hand in the second round at UFC 298.
The Georgian improved his record to 15-0 and has quickly turned from the hunter to the hunted.
Holloway has held this belt before and is coming off three straight victories, with his last loss being to Volkanovski at UFC 276 for the title.
Topuria is a beast but his opponent is a future Hall of Famer and will not go down easily.
Holloway has never been knocked out over 40 professional fights (33-7 record) with only one loss coming via submission. Topuria has five KOs to his name but Holloway has an iron chin and I can’t see a world where the champ puts him out on his feet.
With that said, Topuria is also a defensive technician, boasting a 65% significant strike defence, according to UFC.com.
Holloway throws a blistering 7.17 sig. strikes per minute and will want to turn this into a brawl. But Topuria is capable of turning those strikes away and dictating the pace.
Topuria shouldn’t be eager to end this quickly and Holloway will have to be wary about opening himself to the Georgian’s dangerous ground game. I can see this one going to the judge’s table for a decision.
Key Stat: Nine of Holloway’s last 10 fights have entered the fifth round.
Other picks
Parlay: Ankalaev and Chimaev to win (-134): This is a chalky pick but it’s a good one.
A win for Ankalaev would secure a spot in the light heavyweight title fight against Alex Pereira down the line — and that’s what’s expected.
Ankalaev is a -400 favourite to beat Aleksandar Rakic, who is coming off back-to-back knockout losses against Jiri Prochazka and Jan Blachowicz.
Neither fighter has been very active over the last two years but Ankalaev has 10 wins, one draw and a no contest in his last 12 fights. He boasts devastating power and is an elite wrestler who should make light work of Rakic.
On to Chimaev, who faces a tougher opponent in Robert Whittaker. These two were originally supposed to fight in June but Chimaev was forced to withdraw with an illness.
Whittaker destroyed Ikram Aliskerov, Chimaev’s replacement, and is now 3-2 in his last five fights.
The Australian certainly has knockout power but I’m not going to bet against Chimaev until he gives me reason to do so. The Chechen is 13-0 with 11 finishes.
He’s got wins over guys like Kamaru Usman, Gilbert Burns and Kevin Holland and is one of the best wrestlers the middleweight division has ever seen.
Avery joined NorthStar Gaming as an intern in 2022 before stepping into a full-time role soon after. He loves betting on and analyzing golf — mainly because it’s easier than actually playing — but is a fan of all sports, from the NFL to the UFC.