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UFC 308 Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway Prelim Card Predictions

The wait for UFC 308 is almost over and MMA KO's Drew Beaupré is here to provide predictions for all eight of the event's preliminary bouts before Saturday's card in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Ibo Aslan vs Raffael Cerqueira

The decision to move this matchup to the designated prelim slot for UFC 308 says a lot about what the UFC expects when Aslan and Cerqueria face off in the cage.

UFC 308 Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway Prelim Card Predictions

March 30, 2024; Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA; Ibo Aslan (red gloves) celebrates after defeating Anton Turkalj (not pictured) during UFC Fight Night at Boardwalk Hall. / Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images

“The Last Ottoman” introduced himself to UFC fans when he avenged an earlier loss to Anton Turkalj in March, and while Cerqueira is eager to make a statement in his own promotional debut, I'm picking Aslan to add to his current five-fight winning streak.

(Selection: Aslan)

UFC 308 Fight Card Preview – Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway

Geoff Neal vs. Rafael Dos Anjos

In this bout, the most significant matchup at this event outside of the PPV main card, both Neal and Dos Anjos will look to overcome their respective one-on-one struggles.

UFC 308 Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway Prelim Card Predictions

December 11, 2021; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Geoff Neal scores against Santiago Ponzinbbio during UFC 269 at T-Mobile Arena. / Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Dos Anjos returns to welterweight and has a significant height and reach disadvantage to overcome, but I'll side with the former champion to pull off the upset in Abu Dhabi.

(Selection: Dos Anjos)

Myktykbek Orolbai versus Mateusz Rębecki

With the promotion, Orolbai is once again the favorite to extend his undefeated UFC record in his third appearance.

UFC 308 Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway Prelim Card Predictions

May 4, 2024; Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BRAZIL; Elves Brener (red gloves) fights against Myktybek Orolbai (blue gloves) during UFC 301 at Rio Arena. / Jason Silva-Imagn Images

Rębecki began his own UFC career with a 3-0 win that included two finishes, but after suffering a surprise loss to Diego Ferreira in his last outing, it looks like it will be a difficult stylistic clash for the Polish lightweight.

(Selection: Orolbai)

Abus Magomedov vs Brunno Ferreira

This is one of the underrated matchups on the card, and depending on Magomedov's game plan, it should hopefully give fans some fireworks.

UFC 308 Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway Prelim Card Predictions

November 4, 2023; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Caio Borralho (red gloves) and Abus Magomedov (blue gloves) fight during UFC Fight Night at Ibirapuera Arena. / Jason da Silva-Imagn Images

The 34-year-old's finishing skills have earned him a spot on the UFC roster, and if he overextends himself in search of a knockout, I expect Ferreira to score a fight-ending shot first.

(Selection: Ferreira)

Max Holloway: The Ultimate Iron Chin in the UFC

Kennedy Nzechukwu vs Chris Barnett

Barnett is the third opponent Nzechukwu is scheduled to face in Abu Dhabi, but “Beast Boy” is expected to be in fighting shape as he was already booked on a UFC Fight Night card earlier this month.

UFC 308 Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway Prelim Card Predictions

September 10, 2022; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Jake Collier (red gloves) fights Chris Barnett (blue gloves) during UFC 279 at T-Mobile Arena. / Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

I'm not sure how Nzechukwu's move back up to heavyweight will play out in the long run, but “African Savage” should be able to handle the undersized Barnett here.

(Selection: Nzechukwu)

Farid Basharat vs. Victor Hugo

Basharat is currently the biggest favorite heading into UFC 308, but the undefeated bantamweight can't be too confident as he steps into the cage to face Hugo.

UFC 308 Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway Prelim Card Predictions

September 2, 2023; Paris, France; Farid Basharat (red gloves) fights against Kleydson Rodrigues (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Accor Arena. / Per Haljestam-Imagn Images

“Striker” has extensive experience and is on a 14-fight winning streak dating back to 2015, and while he could be playing spoiler, I have to go with Basharat to secure his fourth win in the UFC.

(Selection: Basharat)

Bruno Silva vs. Ismail Naurdiev

Silva will almost certainly be fighting for his place on the UFC roster when he welcomes Naurdiev back to the promotion on Saturday.

UFC 308 Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway Prelim Card Predictions

March 30, 2024; Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA; Chris Weidman (red gloves) fights Bruno Silva (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Boardwalk Hall. / Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images

The Brazilian's current 1-5 run in his last six fights certainly isn't the best stat, but those losses came against some big names and this matchup with Naurdiev looks to be a welcome step back in competition for him.

(Selection: Silva)

UFC 308 in numbers: Best fighters and finishers

Rinat Fakhretdinov vs. Carlos Leal

It's a bit of a surprise to see Fakhretdinov compete in the very first fight at UFC 308 considering how successful he's been in the promotion, but this matchup with Leal should be an entertaining affair to prepare fans for the rest of the card.

UFC 308 Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway Prelim Card Predictions

November 4, 2023; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Rinat Fakhretdinov (red gloves) fights against Elizea Zaleski Dos Santos (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Ibirapuera Arena. / Jason da Silva-Imagn Images

I'll have to go with “Gladiator” to get the job done, but Leal has plenty of experience at the highest level and will be desperate to pull off an upset in his UFC debut.

(Selection: Fakhretdinov)

MMA KO will provide comprehensive coverage of UFC 308 throughout fight week. Be sure to check out our homepage for a preview of the event as well as live results and highlights from fight night.

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