It’s now official: Topuria and Holloway make weight and there will be a fight for the title

There were no news or surprises. After already nailing the weight last night, Ilia Topuria (15-0) confirmed his 65.8 kilos that qualifies him to defend the featherweight belt at 9:01 in the morning, at the Hilton in Abu Dhabi. Same for Max Holloway. They were the first to go up. No surprises in the ‘main event’ of UFC 308.

The two-hour window to pass the scale opened at 09:00 (07:00 Spanish time) and the ‘Matador’ was there, the first, exercising his right as champion. Although the fighters can use the two hours contemplated, and some, sometimes, do not arrive… everything was under control here. The sooner you weigh yourself, the sooner you start gaining weight. Today he will gain 8 kilos, and will be around 10 kilos before the fight: he will enter the cage with about 76 kilos. A beast.

The ‘Matador’ did his homework and completed a procedure that, despite the suffering, is increasingly just that: a formality to comply with. He did it without a hitch thanks to the work of the entire camp and the methodical and professional work of his entire team. It is not usual for a fighter to go to sleep the night before the weigh-in having completed the scale. He maintained the weight and lasted until the official time.

Next to the stage where the scale is located, the Doctor Aldo to start the rehydration process. The one in which fighters are ‘reborn’. “While he goes up to weigh himself, I am waiting for him with the drink to hydrate him as soon as he finishes. The replacement drink is provided by UFC. A rehydration drink is taken and we time 20 minutes until the next one, then another one follows after another 20 minutes; Then he drinks, now with electrolytes and mineral salts, every 15 minutes,” Aldo explained to MARCA.

This afternoon, ceremonial weighing with the last face to face vs Holloway before this Saturday’s fight at UFC 308.