UFC 308 media day interviews: Ilia Topuria, Max Holloway, Khamzat Chimaev, Robert Whittaker, and others [VIDEO]
The UFC 308 media day interviews have arrived. The likes of Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway sat down with the MMA media to discuss their upcoming main event featherweight title fight, with both men expressing supreme confidence in their chances of victory.
Meanwhile, co-headliners Khamzat Chimaev and Robert Whittaker are set to clash in a potential middleweight title eliminator. However, these aren't the only high-profile matchups scheduled, as Magomed Ankalaev faces Aleksandar Rakić in the card's second title eliminator. Only this time, it's for light heavyweight gold.
So, with plenty of action awaiting fans on Saturday, what did the fighters themselves have to say?
Armen Petrosyan promises a UFC 308 middleweight thriller
Armen Petrosyan and Sharabutdin Magomedov aren't strangers to each other. The pair have even trained together in the past. They've competed in the same kickboxing tournament before, though they've never faced each other.
Come fight night, Petrosyan believes his bout with Magomedov will lead to fireworks in a striking-based affair.
Sharabutdin Magomedov outlines his career goals
While Sharabutdin Magomedov has a big fight ahead, he is already looking at what he can accomplish as a fighter and entertainer.
First, he aims to become the second one-eyed UFC middleweight champion after Michael Bisping. Next, he wants to eventually star in a Bollywood movie.
Aleksandar Rakić is well-prepared for Magomed Ankalaev
Aleksandar Rakić understands the well-rounded threat that Magomed Ankalaev poses and promised that he is ready for every facet of MMA.
Moreover, he believes his exciting performance against Jiří Procházka at UFC 300, despite the TKO loss, is what earned him a title eliminator this Saturday.
Magomed Ankalaev eyes Alex Pereira next
While there is no guarantee that Magomed Ankalaev will emerge victorious at UFC 308, he is more than confident in his chances.
He is already planning to face Alex Pereira, with whom he has feuded as of late, for the light heavyweight title afterward.
Dan Ige vows to take Lerone Murphy's zero
Although Dan Ige spoke about the recent wave of respect he's been given since stepping in on short notice, he is eager to step into the octagon well-prepared.
Despite Lerone Murphy being undefeated, '50K' is confident that he is seasoned enough to hand him his first-ever loss.
Lerone Murphy is aiming to make history at UFC 308
Dan Ige is notoriously tough. So much so that he has never been finished in 26 fights. This is something Lerone Murphy hopes to change.
Not only does he want to beat Ige, he wants to distinguish himself as the first fighter to finish him.
Khamzat Chimaev believes Robert Whittaker has never faced a fighter like him
During Khamzat Chimaev's media day interview, he was asked how he stacked up to Yoel Romero, an Olympic silver medalist, and Ronaldo 'Jacare' Souza, a high-level Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist.
Chimaev was quick to distinguish himself as the best MMA wrestler, whose skill set is too well-rounded and diverse for Whittaker.
Robert Whittaker is more than ready for Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 308
During Robert Whittaker's media day interview, he expressed his readiness for every possible threat Khamzat Chimaev brings.
More than that, he stressed his desire to drag Chimaev into deep waters, as 'Borz' has never been to five rounds.
Max Holloway lambasts Ilia Topuria
Max Holloway's media day interview was punctuated by his dismissal of Ilia Topuria's character.
Although he recognized Topuria's skill set, he believes 'El Matador' amounts to little more than a copycat.
Ilia Topuria predicts his future after UFC 308
When Ilia Topuria's media day interview took place, the Spaniard vowed to retire undefeated. However, he also took the opportunity to scoff at Max Holloway.
He took a specific interest in Holloway's claim as the best boxer in the UFC, which he brushed off.