UFC 308 is on Saturday, Oct. 26.
This is said to be one of the greatest fight cards of the year and is even a contender with UFC 300. There are a lot of really great fights on the main card, and also some interesting money lines. Betting on the right fighters during this card could work out very well.
Shara Magomedov vs. Armen Petrosyan
Shara is the favorite in the fight, and rightfully so. He has some of the best striking in the 185lb division. While lacking power, he can throw some of the most beautiful kicks in MMA. Shara is also undefeated, and he’s from Dagestan, which obviously most Dagestan fighters win their fights. His takedown defense is suspect, but he has lethal elbows on the ground. Armen also doesn’t exactly have the best grappling so Shara definitely has a path to win.
Armen is a fighter I honestly feel isn’t on a good streak. He just came off a loss that was frankly embarrassing. He threw a few good leg kicks, but he was thrashed in the grappling. This lowers my confidence in him being able to out grapple Shara. Besides that loss, Armen hasn’t fought since 2022. It’s very good as a fighter to fight three to four times per year for momentum reasons.
Overall, I would have Shara winning the fight by either unanimous decision (30-27) or by a late round cageside TKO. I would say he has a solid 70% chance to win.
Lerone Murphy vs. Dan Ige
Although 3-2 in his last 5, Dan Ige is a lot better than the record shows. He lost via split decision against Bryce Mitchell where he performed well and he lost in a competitive fight against top 3 featherweight Diego Lopes straight off his couch on 3 hours notice. Dan has great striking and pretty above average grappling defense, and his confidence defeninetly must be high. Being in a close fight with Diego Lopes does nothing but help.
Lerone Murphy is just another British fighter clone. Above average striking and grappling and an undefeated record. He doesn’t really finish fights. He has too many split decisions and he makes his fights too close. Lerone isn’t going to finish Ige on the ground, and Ige definitely will get up and get some good strikes in the fight.
I think Dan Ige will win by a split decision, despite being an underdog. I’d give him a 57% shot.
Magomed Ankalaev vs. Aleksandar Rakic
This is one of the most obvious fights ever. Magomed Ankalaev has deserved a title shot for almost 2 years now. Besides Jan Blachowicz he has dominated and smashed everybody. Ankalaev also generally wins by finish. He has amazing grappling. Despite being mostly a grappler, he outstruck Johnny Walker who is only a striker and knocked him out cold. He has a good overhand, Takedowns are strong and his body shots are underrated.
Aleksandar Rakic was just knocked out less than 7 months ago. He fought well until the KO, but that isn’t enough time to recover. He is average everywhere. Rakic has good kicks and a nice jab. His grappling is also underrated. I know my buddy Nick picked Rakic in the video, but I think he just really dislikes Ankalaev because logically he has little shot.
There is a world where Rakic can win, but I don’t think it’s this one. Magomed has a 75% chance to win in my opinion.
Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev
I quickly want to thank the UFC for making these last two fights. They are both amazing and I know myself and UFC fans will not be disappointed.
Robert Whittaker is going to be in the hall of fame one day. He is such a lovable guy and honestly is one of my favorite fighters. I love Chimaev too, his wrestling is so dominant and fun to watch. I think this fight will go down to Chimaev. Either he will win with great 5 round cardio or he will gas out and Whittaker will take over. Whittaker has a great jab-straight-kick. I can see him catching a gassed Chimaev in the later rounds. He also has amazing and consistent cardio, with good takedown defense to boot.
Khamzat will take down Whittaker, he’s just too good of a wrestler. Chimaev has amazing submissions, and obviously he’s undefeated. It’s really hard to look past Chimaev. He’s been inactive for a minute but it’s always an entertaining and dominant win by him. He says he’s at his best now and I hope to see it.
This fight is a coin flip. I’m giving it to Whittaker because honestly there isn’t any signs that Chimaev has improved his gas tank and Whittaker is very reliable. He has a 52% chance to win I believe.
Ilia Topuria vs. Max Halloway
This is the fight of the year, and it’s not close. Two of the best strikers. Ilia will win however, and I’m confident. He has amazing striking, amazing wrestling, and even though he doesn’t have the best chin it’s hard to see him get knocked out by Holloway. Max doesn’t have the strongest punches in the world.
Max is tall, and he’s a lot stronger than he looks. He has a beautiful jab. He also has a great spinning back kick that is really spectacular. He has one of the greatest chins of all time, but that chin can get cracked, and there’s nobody better to do so than Ilia toporia.
Overall, Ilia is more likely to win. I’d give him 52% odds.
