There's more pressure on Ilia Topuria to beat Max Holloway than when he fought Alexander Volkanovski: Analyzing the stakes of the UFC 308 headliner

Ilia Topuria's first title defense has finally been booked. He is scheduled to defend the featherweight belt against the division's former champion and the reigning BMF titleholder, Max Holloway, at UFC 308. The bout is monumental for several reasons, marking the promotion's return to Abu Dhabi.

While the Spaniard dethroned the great Alexander Volkanovski to capture the title, there is good reason to believe that he is under even more pressure to deliver against Holloway. Topuria is nothing if not confident, and he believes that he will finish 'Blessed' come fight night.

It is a tall task, and given his bold predictions, there are even higher expectations now, and he has no choice but to deliver.

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The narrative dynamics of Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway

Ahead of Ilia Topuria's title fight with Alexander Volkanovski, there was frequent talk of the Australian legend humbling the brash Spaniard. After all, 'El Matador' had talked a big game, even daring to snatch his foe's featherweight belt at a pre-fight press conference in one of many Conor McGregor-esque moments.

Furthermore, he proclaimed himself the featherweight champion on his Instagram handle prior to the fight itself, which irked Volkanovski to no end. While many mocked Topuria for his bold predictions, believing 'The Great' to be too skilled for him, there were some reservations.

Volkanovski, who was 1-2 in his last three fights at the time, was coming off a fresh knockout loss to Islam Makhachev. The Australian's decision to return just four months afterward gave many cause for concern, but Volkanovski was, as usual, stubborn to a fault.

He scoffed at the suggestion that he was returning too soon and hadn't given his brain enough time to heal from the trauma of the Makhachev knockout. So, while many were stunned when Topuria did as he had vowed and knocked Volkanovski out, many were quick to diminish the win.

It was due to Volkanovski returning far too quickly after a brutal knockout loss to Makhachev. Thus, in the eyes of many, including the reigning BMF champion himself, 'El Matador' still has to prove himself, as beating Volkanovski coming off a potentially career-altering knockout failed to convince some of his detractors.

His upcoming bout with Max Holloway, by comparison, does not have any such variables. The Hawaiian isn't coming off a knockout loss. In fact, he has never been knocked out, has only ever been knocked down once, and has only ever been finished once.

Given that Topuria fancies himself a finisher and claims he will stop one of the toughest fighters on the roster, the expectations for him are different. Many are anticipating a difficult fight for the Spaniard, least of all due to Holloway's streak.

'Blessed' is on a three-fight win streak, having schooled the No.5-ranked Arnold Allen, knocked out the legendary Chan Sung Jung into retirement, and flattened ex-interim lightweight champion and former BMF power-puncher Justin Gaethje with what is likely 2024's Knockout of the Year.

To prove himself legitimate in the eyes of his remaining detractors, it is more important that he beat a streaking Holloway decisively than praise his win over Volkanovski, who was still reeling from a recent knockout.

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Ilia Topuria and the importance of title defenses

Welterweight legend Matt Hughes said that a UFC champion is no true champion until they defend their belt. While Ilia Topuria has captured the featherweight title from a fighter as highly regarded as Alexander Volkanovski, he must now cement his reign with a title defense.

Not only must he defend his title, but he must do so against the last all-time great of the old featherweight guard, Max Holloway. To beat him would fulfill the prophecy of Topuria being the next step in MMA evolution, as he would have defeated two of the greatest-ever 145-pounders, responsible for beating so many in the division.

Champions who fail to defend their titles at least once are often forgotten, as there is little to remember of their reign besides their championship-winning performances. With how loud Topuria has been about his position and future in the sport, he cannot afford to lose to Holloway.

He must defend his title to protect his dreams. The Spaniard previously spoke about challenging lightweight kingpin Islam Makhachev down the line and even coaxing the greatest star in MMA history, Conor McGregor, back from a life of luxury for a fateful showdown.

Those dreams can only be made possible if he defends his title against Holloway. A loss would derail his career and relegate him to the unenviable status of a champion who failed to impose themselves on their division. It would also open him up to ridicule.

He would be the man who proclaimed himself a future two-division champion before even defending his own title, only to lose it on his first try. More than ever, Topuria must win at UFC 308.