Max Holloway gives Ilia Topuria his first defeat and Khamzat Chimaev fails

Not only is the main event a great matchup, but the co-main event also features two of the best middleweights in the world as Khamzat Chimaev looks to pick up the biggest win of his career to date by taking on former champion Robert Whittaker.

Without further ado, let’s get to our top card predictions.

Shara “Bullet” Magomedov vs. Armen Petrosyan – middleweight bout

Rising UFC star Shara “Bullet” Magomedov opens the main card as he takes on striker Armen Petrosyan in a middleweight bout.

Since signing with the promotion, Magomedov has demonstrated an extremely well-rounded skill set that makes him dangerous wherever the fight takes place. This is the Russian’s first time on the main card of a major PPV event, showing that the UFC has high hopes for him.

Petrosyan is best known for his kickboxing, but unfortunately for him, “Bullet” is the more technical striker in this match and has a greater variety of punches. Additionally, Magomedov is the more dangerous fighter on the ground.

I see the 30-year-old picking up his fourth win under the UFC banner and moving closer to the top 15.

Prediction: Shara ‘Bullet’ Magomedov by decision

Lerone Murphy vs. Dan Ige – Featherweight bout

After Dan Ige took on Diego Lopes just hours in advance at UFC 303 last June, he has become a fan favorite despite falling short of the win.

In Lerone Murphy’s last outing, he earned the biggest win of his career to date by defeating Edson Barboza in a tough five-round fight.

Just like the rest of the fights on the main card offering, this is an extremely intriguing matchup as both fighters have the key stylistically to solve the other issues.

“50k” Ige undoubtedly has the power advantage in this match, while Murphy is the more athletic fighter. Ige can definitely give “The Miracle” problems with his underrated boxing, but I think Murphy is probably the sharper and more versatile of the two featherweights.

The only problem with selecting Murphy in this match is that he tends to start slow at times, and in a three-round fight against Ige, the referee’s eyes may be on Ige’s powerful punches.

Prediction: Lerone Murphy by decision

Magomed Ankalaev vs Aleksandar Rakic ​​– light heavyweight bout

There’s a lot at stake for Magomed Ankalaev on Saturday night when he takes on Aleksandar Rakic ​​in a massive fight at 205 pounds.

Earlier this week, Dana White told the Russian that he needs to put up an exciting fight against Rakic ​​if he wants to secure the title shot against Alex Pereira.

Standing in his way is “Rocket” Rakic, who is looking to bounce back from two disappointing defeats and potentially snatch the title shot away from Ankalaev, who is undefeated in 12 fights.

Rakic ​​​​is an extremely explosive and unorthodox striker who could cause problems for Ankalaev, especially knowing that he cannot simply go into this fight controlling the Serb at the cage or on the ground.

However, I see a situation where Rakic ​​overexerts himself in the first round and Ankalaev comes out strong in the second and secures a submission victory that ultimately gives him a shot at the title.

Prediction: Magomed Ankalaev via assist

Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev – Middleweight bout

For the first time in over a year, Khamzat Chimaev returns to the Octagon to take on former champion Robert Whittaker.

When this fight was originally scheduled to take place last June, he was highlighted as a potential frontrunner, with the winner likely facing Dricus Du Plessis.

Despite recently claiming that Sean Strickland would fight for the title next, Dana White backtracked on his comments and stated that he would wait for the climax of Chimaev vs. Whittaker to decide who is next in line be.

“Borz” has looked completely different this fight week, displaying a calm and respectful demeanor, perhaps highlighting the changes he has made during his fight camp.

However, Whittaker undoubtedly represents his toughest test yet, and given that it’s a five-round fight, I think it favors “The Reaper.” If Chimaev can’t outwork Whittaker and do any real damage in the first few rounds, he could be looking for a new lease of life as the fight heads into the fourth and fifth rounds.

I believe Whittaker’s experience and championship mentality will pay off in this fight.

Prediction: Robert Whittaker by decision

Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway – Featherweight title fight

The most intriguing matchup of the year finally takes place this Saturday when “El Matador” attempts to become the first fighter ever to knock out Max Holloway.

Since losing his title to Alexander Volkanovski in 2022, “Blessed” Holloway has reminded fans that he is still that guy, racking up three incredibly impressive victories and earning another shot at the 145-pound title.

Although Holloway has seemingly been around forever, he is still in his fighting prime and has the qualities to show the young Topuria something he hasn’t seen yet.

The feud between the two became increasingly heated as fight week progressed, which only added to the intensity of the occasion.

Unsurprisingly, Topuria is confident he will knock out Holloway in the first round by instigating a brawl in the middle of the octagon. Regardless of this and Holloway’s tendency to get into an all-out brawl, I envision a calm and methodical approach from “Blessed.”

I see the 32-year-old’s length and volume giving him an advantage in this fight. As he showed against Justin Gaethje at UFC 300, he has the ability to shake up his game plan and I see him coming into this fight with a forceful approach to try and nullify the power of “El Matador.”

Prediction: Max Holloway by decision

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