Ilia Topuria Beats Max Holloway by Knockout, Retains Featherweight Title at UFC 308

Ilia Topuria withstood his first test as UFC featherweight champion with a third-round knockout win over Max Holloway to close out UFC 308 from the Etihad Arena in United Arab Emirates.

The win is Topuria's first successful title defense since defeating Alexander Volkanovski to win the championship at UFC 298 and bumps his undefeated record to 16-0. He also handed Holloway the first knockout loss of his career.

The featherweight championship carries an extensive history of dominant champions. Holloway, Jose Aldo and Alexander Volkanovsi are among the champs who defended the belt more than twice. Conor McGregor never defended the belt but is the most famous of all the champions.

Topuria has a long way to go to join their ranks, but he has his eyes set on something bigger than 145-pound domination. Much like McGregor, he's already looking at what he can do in other weight classes.

"Probably a three-weight world champion, this is my goal," Topuria told UFC on TNT Sports (h/t Jed Meshew of MMA Fighting). "You're not going to see me in the welterweight division like this, skinny. You're going to see me different. That's the goal. Move up to the lightweight division, get that belt, then move up to the welterweight division."

Those are certainly big goals for Topuria. No one in the history of the UFC has won a title in three different weight classes. With Islam Makhachev sitting atop the division it isn't like he's setting his sights on a vulnerable champion.

As for Holloway, this is a setback that leaves his spot in the featherweight division in question. The 32-year-old has a storied career which includes a memorable run as the featherweight champion. He also won the ceremonial BMF belt in his last bout against Justin Gaethje.

There will be plenty of high-profile options for him moving forward, but getting back to the top of the featherweight mountain might be difficult.