Former interim UFC featherweight champion Yair Rodriguez gave his thoughts and prediction on the highly anticipated championship bout Saturday night at Etihad Arena. Rodriguez (18-5 MMA, 10-4 UFC ), who’s fought Holloway in the past, believes the Hawaiian will reclaim his belt and take the undefeated status from Topuria.

Yair Rodriguez, a former foe of Max Holloway, reveals his pick for Ilia Topuria's first title defense at UFC 308.

Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway, separately, were cordial with Alexander Volkanovski when they crossed paths at the UFC 308 host hotel.

Check out the detailed UFC 308 preview and predictions for the upcoming featherweight title between Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway.

Alexander Volkanovski will be paying close attention to the UFC 308 main event between Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway.

Holloway, 32, was the 2017 UFC Fighter of the Year. His only fight this year was his thrilling, last-second knockout of Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 on April 13.

Should Holloway lose to Topuria in his third try to become a two-time featherweight champion, Volkanovski believes there's a BMF fight waiting for Holloway at lightweight against none other than "The Hangman" Dan Hooker.

Between then and Saturday, Holloway lost three featherweight title fights to Alexander Volkanovski. Following the final loss on July 2, 2022, many believed Holloway’s time as a featherweight was done. But since then, Holloway has gone 3-0 while Volkanovski has gone 1-3, his latest bout a knockout loss to Ilia Topuria in February.

Max Holloway was honest in response when asked about his potential running for Fighter of the Year. Holloway (26-7 MMA, 22-7 UFC) kicked off his 2024 with an iconic last-second knockout of Justin Gaethje to claim the BMF title at UFC 300.

Max Holloway gets the chance to solve a puzzle no fighter has been able to solve to date. The former featherweight champion and recent BMF Title winner headlines UFC 308 against undefeated, highly touted reigning 145-pound champ Ilia Topuria.