At UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi, fan favorites Max Holloway and Robert Whittaker both lost their fights. Ilia Topuria retained the featherweight title by knocking out Holloway in the second round of their match. The crowd in Abu Dhabi was in a frenzy as Topuria celebrated his victory with soccer star Sergio Ramos. Topuria's next match could potentially be against Alexander Volkanovski for a rematch or Diego Lopes, while Holloway's future in fighting remains uncertain.
UFC 308: Holloway and Whittaker Suffer Defeats in Abu Dhabi
At UFC 308, held in Abu Dhabi, two fan favorites, Max Holloway and Robert Whittaker, both experienced setbacks in their respective fights.
Holloway Loses Featherweight Title
Former featherweight champion Max Holloway faced Ilia Topuria in a title defense match. Topuria, a rising star in the division, shocked the crowd by knocking out Holloway in the second round. The victory marked Topuria's first UFC title and earned him the respect of fans and fighters alike.
Whittaker Stumbles in Middleweight Bout
In the co-main event, former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker faced Marvin Vettori for the second time. Vettori dominated the fight with his wrestling and grappling, eventually securing a unanimous decision victory. Whittaker's loss snapped his four-fight win streak and puts his future in the division in doubt.
Aftermath and Future Implications
The results of UFC 308 have significant implications for the future of the featherweight and middleweight divisions. Topuria's victory places him as a potential challenger to current featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski. Holloway's loss raises questions about his future in the sport, as he now faces a difficult road back to title contention.
In the middleweight division, Vettori's victory solidifies his status as a top contender and sets the stage for a potential title rematch against reigning champion Israel Adesanya. Whittaker's loss opens up the division for other challengers, including Paulo Costa and Sean Strickland.
Top 5 FAQs Related to UFC 308
1. Who is Ilia Topuria? Ilia Topuria is a Spanish-born Georgian fighter who has quickly risen to prominence in the UFC featherweight division. Known for his aggressive style and submission prowess, Topuria holds an impressive record of 13-0.
2. What is the future of Max Holloway? Holloway's loss at UFC 308 is a major setback for the former featherweight champion. With two consecutive losses, it remains unclear where Holloway goes from here. He may consider a move up to lightweight or potentially retire from the sport.
3. What is the status of Robert Whittaker? Whittaker's loss to Vettori was a disappointing setback, but he remains a top contender in the middleweight division. Whether he gets an immediate rematch against Adesanya or faces another challenger first is yet to be determined.
4. Who will Topuria face next? Topuria's next opponent could be Volkanovski in a rematch for the featherweight title, or he could face Brazilian Diego Lopes, who recently defeated Charles Jourdain.
5. What is the future of the UFC featherweight and middleweight divisions? The results of UFC 308 have shaken up both the featherweight and middleweight divisions. The emergence of Topuria as a title challenger and Vettori's dominant performance suggest that the landscape of both divisions is in flux, with new faces vying for championship glory.
In the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final, Arsenal suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Newcastle United. The Gunners were only able to register three shots on target, leaving Arteta disappointed with their lack of clinical finishing. He highlighted Gabriel Martinelli's missed opportunity in the first half as a turning point in the match, as Newcastle went on to secure a two-goal lead and a strong advantage heading into the second leg. With only two teams in the competition's history failing to progress after winning the first leg away from home, Arteta and his team face a daunting task as they aim to turn the tie around in the return fixture.
Newcastle United took a big step towards the League Cup final with a 2-0 win against Arsenal in the first leg of their semi-final match. Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon both scored for the Magpies, who are seeking their first major trophy since 1969. While Arsenal have been on form in the Premier League, they struggled to keep up with Isak's impressive performance in this crucial match.
As Derrick Henry, star running back for the Baltimore Ravens, celebrates his 30th birthday, he selflessly donated his game-worn and signed cleats to raise awareness for Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Partnering with the Axe ALS Foundation, Henry shared a post on his Instagram story encouraging fans to join the cause and participate in a giveaway to win the one-of-a-kind cleats. This generous gesture comes just before a crucial match against the Cleveland Browns, where fans are eager to see Henry perform on the field once again.
After sitting out the win against Brentford due to illness, Arsenal striker Kai Havertz is set to make a comeback for their upcoming match against Brighton & Hove Albion. Manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that the German is ready to return to the squad and may feature in the starting line-up. Additionally, there is positive news regarding Raheem Sterling and Takehiro Tomiyasu's return from injury, while Ben White is progressing well in his recovery and could make an early comeback.
The January transfer window is yet to see any big deals, but that could all change if Chelsea's plans to sell players to finance the return of Marc Guehi are successful. Manchester United, Manchester City, Tottenham and Newcastle are also expected to be active in the market, while teams in the relegation battle will be looking to strengthen. Stay tuned to Express Sport for all the latest transfer updates.
In their Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg match against Newcastle, Arsenal suffered a 2-0 loss at home. Despite having 23 shots and generating 3.09 expected goals, Arsenal failed to score, with just three shots on target. Manager Mikel Arteta attributed part of the team's poor finishing to the difference in the ball used in this competition – made by Puma – compared to the one used in the Premier League, which is manufactured by Nike.
In a thrilling match, Newcastle emerged victorious with a 2-0 away win over Arsenal in the first leg. However, there were questions raised over Alexander Isak's opening goal, with suggestions of a push on Martin Odegaard being missed by VAR. Despite this, Isak brushed off any accusations, stating it was just part of the game. Arsenal's coaching staff also came under scrutiny for not marking Isak, who has been in top form recently. Will Newcastle hold on to their advantage in the second leg? That remains to be seen.
As the January transfer window opens, Arsenal are on the lookout for a new striker and their interest seems to be focused on Wolves' Matheus Cunha. The Gunners are in need of more goalscoring options, with midfielder Bukayo Saka their top contributor and out injured. While they have been linked with other attacking players, many are keeping an eye on the red-hot Cunha, who has already netted 10 goals for strugglers Wolves this season. However, the striker's recent involvement in unsavoury scenes after a match could hinder a potential move, with Cunha avoiding a longer suspension thanks to some luck.
In a surprising upset, Newcastle United stunned Arsenal with a 2-0 away win in the first leg of the EFL Cup semifinals on Tuesday. Despite being dominated in terms of shots and possession, the Magpies were efficient in attack and defended well after taking a 2-0 lead early in the second half. With their impressive win, Newcastle now have a strong advantage heading into the second leg next month and remain on a hot streak with seven consecutive victories.
In a thrilling match, Newcastle United achieved a momentous triumph over Arsenal with a 2-0 win in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg. This is the Magpies' first League Cup victory over the Gunners, with goals from Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon securing their seventh consecutive win in all competitions. Despite Arsenal's opportunities, including a near-goal by Gabriel Martinelli, they now must face a tough challenge at St James' Park to try and make it through to the final. However, it was undoubtedly a triumphant night for Newcastle and their 6,000 supporters who witnessed the historic feat.