Photos: Ilia Topuria's partner Giorgina Uzcategui Badell shares snaps from UFC 308, pens a heartfelt message for 'El Matador'
Featherweight champion Ilia Topuria delivered a stunning performance at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi, defending his title with a third-round knockout of former champion Max Holloway. Topuria, who won the title by defeating Alexander Volkanovski in February, showcased his dominance yet again by adding Holloway to his flawless 16-0 record.
The highly anticipated bout saw both fighters test each other from range with Holloway starting strong and Topuria responding with calculated pressure and powerful strikes.
As the rounds progressed, Topuria’s relentless pace and precise punches wore down Holloway, and a decisive right hand in the third round left the Hawaiian reeling. Topuria capitalized on the moment, landing a crushing left hand that sent Holloway to the mat, and followed it up with unanswered ground-and-pound strikes prompting referee Marc Goddard to stop the fight at 1:34.
Following this epic win, Topuria's partner Giorgina Uzcategui Badell celebrated on social media, sharing photos from fight night with a heartfelt tribute:
"The road to victory is not difficult... it is SUPER difficult. Do not fade away despite the darkness, fear, unfavorable and adverse situations presenting itself just before achieving the goal..No matter what the situation is, as long as the intentions of your heart are good, never stop believing that victory belongs to you and on the way to achieving it, every stone or stumble will have forged also a better version of you.Congratulations to my husband and World Champion on his undisputed, epic, historic and legendary victory. 16-0 🌹"
Check out the snaps shared by Topuria's partner below:
Dustin Poirier wants a fight with Ilia Topuria or Max Holloway next
Dustin Poirier has his sights set on the final few battles of his career. Following the high-stakes featherweight showdown at UFC 308 between Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway, Poirier wasted no time in calling out both fighters.
Topuria emerged victorious with a decisive TKO over the veteran Holloway in a fight where both men showcased impressive boxing skills, and caught Poirier’s attention. The former interim lightweight champion took to social media to voice his interest in a potential fight, writing:
"I want Max or Topuria"
Later appearing at ESPN’s post-fight show, 'Diamond' praised Topuria’s boxing, stating:
"I am more than impressed. I am blown away. Not that I didn't think it could happen, of course it could happen, Topuria is an incredible boxer. Big power, sits down on all his punches, great technique. I just didn't think it would happen. You saw him standing in that octagon with the rose in his hand? Now it's time to give him his flowers, because he is everything he said he was. He said what he was going to do, and he went out there and he did it. First man in the world to knock out a legend in Max Holloway."
Check out Dustin Poirier's comments on Ilia Topuria below (0:20):