UFC 308 predictions, tips, best prop bets for Topuria vs. Holloway today

The UFC returns to Abu Dhabi this weekend with one of its most intriguing fight cards of the year starting at 2:00 p.m. ET. UFC 308 is packed with huge matchups – none bigger than the main event between Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway.

Now is the perfect time to break down this massive map. Here are my UFC 308 predictions and best bets for Topuria vs. Holloway, along with some tips on the best bets for fight night.

UFC 308 predictions and best bets for Topuria vs. Holloway

• Max Holloway by TKO: +590 um fanatic
• Max Holloway by TKO in the 5th round: +3100 at FanDuel
• Robert Whittaker: +200 at bet365
• Myktybek Orolbai: -298 at DraftKings
• Sharabutdin Magomedov: -166 at BetMGM

It's been more than a year since the UFC's last trip to Abu Dhabi. It's clear that the promotion wants to put on a show for UAE fans, loading up the upcoming card from top to bottom.

In the co-main event, Robert Whittaker looks to move one step closer to the middleweight belt against one of the sport's top contenders, Khamzat Chimaev. This is a five-round fight and could determine the next title contender at 185 pounds.

Whittaker seems prepared for a surprise here. He has faced more elite wrestlers in his career (e.g. Yoel Romero) and has some of the best strikers in the division.

He'll likely face some adversity early on, but as the fight progresses he'll take control with his punches and kicks and earn a clear unanimous decision victory.

One fighter who appears to be flying under the radar is Myktybek Orolbai. At 13-1 and a perfect UFC record of 2-0, he is one of the top prospects in the UFC.

Orolbai has improved under the tutelage of Urijah Faber and could move into the top 15 at lightweight with a win this weekend.

I expect him to get this victory. His opponent, Mateusz Rebecki, is by no means a weakling. Orolbai is just on another level with his wrestling and should do enough to win a decision.

Sharabutdin Magomedov is a fighter who is not flying under the radar. “The Pirate” is now 3-0 in his UFC run and has arguably the most impressive kicking arsenal to date in the UFC.

Look for him to stay out all night with those kicks to earn another decision win against Armen Petrosyan on Saturday.

lia Topuria vs. Max Holloway breakdown and prediction

Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook

• Max Holloway by TKO: +550
• Max Holloway by TKO in the 5th round: +3100

The entire UFC 308 card is packed with fan-friendly matchups. Of course, no fight is bigger than the middleweight showdown between Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway.

These two men have been on a collision course for years and the winner will undoubtedly establish themselves as the true king at 145 pounds.

This is a joy for a striker in every way. Both fighters made names for themselves in the UFC by overwhelming their opponents with punches and kicks.

However, exactly how they managed to do this is completely different. Ilia Topuria is a wrecking ball in a cage. He pushes forward with impeccable technique, looking for massive blows to the head and body. He's a knockout artist: four of his seven UFC victories came via devastating knockouts.

Holloway is more of a volume striker. He wears down his opponents with punches and kicks and has shown that he can maintain an incredible pace for five rounds.

Topuria is the -300 favorite here, but I think we're in for an upset. Max Holloway is the far more experienced fighter.

He is also much larger than Topuria and has demonstrated his ability to fight for five rounds on multiple occasions. I believe Max will use his elite striking to wear Topuria down and score a TKO victory somewhere in the fourth or fifth round.

How Ilia Topuria can win as a favorite

Best odds: -230 at DraftKings

Competing against Ilia Topuria seems unusual at this point. He was nearly flawless during his UFC run, going 7-0 and dominating all of his opponents.

For Ilia to win on Saturday, he will have to rely on his entire MMA arsenal.

Before joining the UFC, Topuria was known as a submission artist. He began his MMA career with seven straight submission victories and showed incredible ability to fight on the mat.

Expect “The Matador” to change things up this weekend against Holloway. If he can keep Max guessing with both takedowns and strikes, he can avoid being overwhelmed on the feet.

Once Topuria manages to get Max down, look for him to hold him in one of his patented Anaconda chokes.

How Max Holloway can win as an underdog

Best odds: +240 at bet365

Max Holloway is just 32 years old. It's easy to forget that since he's been in the UFC since 2012 and holds an overall MMA record of 26-7. He has continued to improve throughout his career and appears to be in his true fighting prime ahead of Saturday's title fight.

Many seemed to write Max off after his 0-3 win against Alexander Volkanovski. Since those defeats he has done nothing but improve.

Holloway looks more elite than ever on his feet; He has added some incredible kicks to his arsenal in recent years. Kicking will be key against Ilia Topuria, who has been injured multiple times by headbutts throughout his MMA career.

Look for Holloway, the much longer fighter, to stay out with straight punches and kicks. As the fight progresses, he will increase the pressure to test the current champion's cardio.

Almost no one has shown the ability to beat Holloway blow for blow. This is a fight that Holloway can certainly win if he can avoid Topuria's defeats and maintain his attacking strength and pressure.