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00:00Abu Dhabi, the crown jewel of the United Arab Emirates and the epicenter of combat sports in the Middle East.
00:14Every time we're here in Abu Dhabi, you know it's going to be special because the fight's delivered.
00:19UFC 308 continues the proud tradition of showcasing the world's finest fighters, drawing talent from every corner of the globe.
00:27They want the best people on the marquee and they get it every single time.
00:31They are the baddest fighters on the planet.
00:36Fresh off a historic title-winning performance.
00:41Iliyan Kaputia, the featherweight champion of the world!
00:45It is a changing of the guard, but it's also an ushering in of a new era.
00:50I represent the new generation of mixed martial arts.
00:53There's no doubt that the fighters of today are the greatest fighters of all time.
00:58The new UFC featherweight champion returns to solidify his reign.
01:04Against the former king of the division and current BMF champion, Max Hall.
01:10He's violent, he's aggressive. This guy will put on so much activity that most can't keep up with him.
01:15Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh!
01:20An absolute stunner at UFC 300!
01:25Grab your popcorn, grab your candy, because when the door is locked in the octagon on UFC 308, it's going to be a night to remember.
01:33Oh! That's it! That's it!
01:35And Holloway sending a message tonight.
01:38El Maldito, I'm right here!
01:41The goal is to be the first one to knock him out.
01:45And this is what's going to happen.
01:48Oh! Unbelievable knockout!
01:51His technique is so precise, there's no wasted movement.
01:55The world will realize who is really the best fighter in the world.
02:01In the co-main event, a high stakes matchup between two of the middleweight division's top contenders.
02:07Former champion Robert Whitaker seeks to extend his remarkable resurgence.
02:11Eyeing a return to the title he once held.
02:14I'm still pushing into that prime era.
02:17Oh! An uppercut for Whitaker!
02:20And that'll do it!
02:22How about the reaper?
02:24Robert Whitaker perfecting his craft.
02:27I win this fight, I'm fighting for the belt next.
02:29Standing in his path is the imposing force of Hamzat Shumayev.
02:34One of one. A force unlike anything the fight game has ever seen.
02:40The undefeated Chechen has dismantled all who oppose him in the Arctic.
02:44Oh, see? It's over.
02:46I'm most dangerous guy here. Nobody can stop me.
02:49And will stop at nothing to get his shot at UFC gold.
02:52Fighting in Abu Dhabi feels like I'm fighting home.
02:55So, I'm going to finish this guy.
02:57I'm ready to get the belt.
02:59I'm the champ! I'm the king!
03:01The world will be watching as the Octagon descends on the Etihad Arena on October 26th.
03:06This is what MMA is all about.
03:08This is the best of the best.
03:10In their primes.
03:12In preparation for yet another marquee event in the UAE.
03:15Aim for his eyes, guys. Aim for his eyes.
03:17We take an inside look into our headline attractions.
03:21These matchups are more competitive.
03:23They're more compelling.
03:25These matchups are more competitive.
03:27They're more compelling.
03:32This is UFC 308.
03:34You know it's going to be all action.
03:36Let's go.
03:37Countdown.
03:46In the 14 years since the inauguration of the UFC's 145-pound division,
03:51just five fighters can lay claim to the accolade of undisputed featherweight champion.
03:59The main event of UFC 308 will see the return of the new king of the division,
04:04El Matador, Iliad Taporia.
04:08The Spaniard sees his rise to UFC gold not just as a victory,
04:12but as a fulfillment of fate.
04:15Fighting is in my blood without any doubt.
04:18I'm a fighter since I was born.
04:22The fighting came naturally to me.
04:24It was a destiny.
04:28At just 18 years of age, Taporia began his pro career
04:32and quickly made a name for himself on the regional circuit.
04:37Eight straight finishes saw the young prospect signed to the UFC in 2020.
04:42Iliad Taporia, a legit prospect out of Spain.
04:47The level of competition in the UFC is different than the other places.
04:51In the UFC you have the best fighters in the world.
04:57This is what I really wanted because I represent the new generation of mixed martial arts.
05:08I bring something that has never been seen in the UFC.
05:16I'm a complete fighter, so it doesn't matter where the fight takes place.
05:20He can take this fight to the ground. He has got dynamite in his hand.
05:24I know that I'm gonna beat you up.
05:28My words!
05:30Unbelievable knockout!
05:32This guy's an alpha male.
05:34He really believes that he can whip anybody.
05:36Taporia's striking is so clean and so powerful.
05:39Iliad's teeing off on him.
05:41Oh, big uppercut.
05:43And a right hand knocks Mitchell down!
05:45The physicality!
05:47Always my mindset was, anything I'm doing, I want to be the best.
05:55He is sure he will wear a UFC championship belt.
05:58He will look to prove that he should be next for a world title.
06:03Huge combination!
06:04This is an outclassing, a boxing masterclass.
06:07I never said I want to become a UFC world champion.
06:10Taporia is showing the next level.
06:12I said, I will become a UFC world champion.
06:15I want Alex to defend that belt and show to him where his world's gonna end and mine's gonna start.
06:27With his undefeated streak still intact,
06:31Taporia would earn a title shot against long reigning featherweight champion,
06:35Alexander Volkanovski.
06:37In the eyes of most MMA observers,
06:39Alexander Volkanovski is the greatest featherweight of all time.
06:42But when you are the hunted, there is always a next man up.
06:46Iliad Taporia appears to be the goods.
06:49Seemingly as skilled as he is confident,
06:51tonight is the night we find out if he has what it takes
06:54to dethrone the decorated long reigning Australian champion.
06:59Great firewall.
07:00One of the greatest in the featherweight division.
07:03He's been a great champion.
07:05He finally gets an opportunity to fight one of the best in the world.
07:08Massive spot tonight for Iliad Taporia.
07:18Whenever you have a champion as dominant as Alexander Volkanovski,
07:24what you hope for is a challenger that's so imposing and so destructive
07:32that it makes you wonder whether or not he's going to be able to withstand this storm.
07:36That is Iliad Taporia.
07:40I have never been more hyped for a fight. Never.
07:46UFC featherweight championship on the line.
07:48On the fight start, he was doing what we were expecting.
07:53Early right hands for Taporia.
07:55He was moving a lot in the octagon, side from side.
07:59Taporia's putting the cage up, backing him up.
08:02He knew what was coming.
08:04He felt my power.
08:07The game plan was the moment that he will stop
08:11and he will start to exchange the punches with me,
08:14I will get the job done.
08:16Oh, big right hand from Taporia.
08:21Competitive first five minutes.
08:24After the first round, when I went to the corner,
08:27my brother told me, work on the counter on his jab.
08:46The second round, he started to slow down a little bit.
08:51That's a good right hand left hook.
08:53Might be hurt. Follows up again.
08:56Taporia is such a good boxer.
09:00He threw me a job.
09:02I did a four-punch combination, like one, two, three, four.
09:06Boom.
09:11Game over, my friend. It's game over.
09:15That'll do it, and new!
09:17The belt is headed to Spain.
09:19Oh, my goodness.
09:21Ilya Taporia, the featherweight champion of the world!
09:26The power of Taporia.
09:28A shocking result in Anaheim to many.
09:32Ilya Taporia, not surprised.
09:35And the 27-year-old Spaniard
09:38is on top of the mixed martial arts world.
09:41How about it?
09:43I've been working for that moment.
09:45It's a dream come true.
09:52Ilya Taporia!
09:55They're going to tell you you can't do it,
09:57but guess what?
09:58The only person you need is yourself.
10:01Just trust yourself.
10:03Work tirelessly. Have faith.
10:05And everything is possible.
10:07Ladies and gentlemen, the new champion!
10:10Spain, Georgia stand-up, Ilya Taporia.
10:13The new era begins.
10:22SPAIN
10:28Taporia's return to Europe as a UFC champion
10:31was met with patriotic fanfare
10:33and an aura of excitement
10:35for this new era of the featherweight division.
10:42The reception when I returned to Spain,
10:45when I went back to Georgia,
10:47it feels always amazing
10:49when you get that kind of recognition from everyone.
10:53Big artists, big sportsmen, politicians.
10:58I keep having amazing moments all the time when I go out.
11:03It always feels amazing
11:05when you receive love and respect from the people.
11:10When Real Madrid called me to do the kickoff,
11:13I was very happy and excited at the same time.
11:16Ilya takes honorary kickoff tonight.
11:1990,000 people.
11:21It was like I have to bring the UFC here one day.
11:28The UFC has always been very big here
11:31and very recognized in Spain.
11:33It helps a lot the fact that I become a UFC world champion.
11:38The people have someone they can relate with.
11:41In my mind, I believe that one day this will happen.
11:47I always was a world champion.
11:51It was a matter of time that it will manifest in reality.
12:05On October 26th,
12:07Abu Dhabi's Etihad Arena
12:09will play host to UFC 308.
12:13In the main event,
12:15the new era of the featherweight division begins
12:18as the newly crowned champion makes his return.
12:21He's the real deal. He's the real deal.
12:24The emotions I had when I become a UFC world champion
12:27was something amazing.
12:29Ilya Topodia turning all his words into action tonight.
12:33You look at yourself on the screen
12:35and you see yourself with the belt.
12:41It's something like,
12:43wow.
12:46I proved that I'm the best fighter in the world.
12:49Now it's time to defend it.
12:52For his first title defense,
12:55Topodia will once again fly the flags of Georgia and Spain.
13:00When he steps into the octagon,
13:02to face the former king of the division,
13:05Max Blessed Holloway.
13:10The proud Hawaiian is revered by his people
13:13and draws motivation from influencing the next generation.
13:17A former UFC fighter,
13:19one of my main training partners for years now, Martin Day,
13:22is opening his own gym.
13:24One, two, three.
13:26He reached out to me and, you know,
13:28when one of your boys call, you answer.
13:30Do you guys know who this man is?
13:32UFC champion of the world and BMF champion.
13:34Let's give him a hand.
13:36What's up, guys? Thank you guys for having me today.
13:38I can show you guys what I like doing.
13:40Same hand, same leg kick.
13:42Make him move into your kick.
13:44There it is.
13:46In Hawaii, fighting has always been a favorite pastime.
13:49Hawaiians love to fight.
13:51It's like a family thing.
13:53Fighting has always been a favorite pastime.
13:55Hawaiians love to fight.
13:57Yes!
13:59BJ kind of put Hawaii on the map,
14:01but Max really put that stamp on it.
14:03Brought the fight game to Hawaii to another level.
14:05Aim for his eyes, guys. Aim for his eyes.
14:07Get him to slip.
14:09Now I get his reaction, right? Let's go.
14:11Now you're seeing a lot more Hawaiians
14:13getting to the big shows,
14:15getting into the UFC, headlining cards.
14:17I think that gives hope to the younger generation.
14:19Aim for this side of his eye.
14:21Yes!
14:23Get him to duck into your kick.
14:25Max is a superstar in Hawaii. We're so proud of him.
14:27He represents Hawaii so well,
14:29from his fighting spirit to the way he conducts himself
14:31when he's not fighting.
14:33Now when I say left, you guys go left.
14:35When I say right, you guys go right.
14:37Left! Right!
14:39Sprawl!
14:41My grandpa always told me,
14:43you need to leave this world
14:45a better place than when you got into it.
14:47And I believe I'm doing my job.
14:49Give him a lesson. Give him a hand, guys.
14:53If I can inspire the next generation,
14:55then that's amazing.
14:57Proudly representing Wai'anae
14:59in Hawaii,
15:01this man is an absolute killer.
15:03That is a sniper striker right there.
15:05Just a tough, scrappy
15:07Hawaiian who gets better every day.
15:09Holloway's status as a Hawaiian
15:11icon.
15:13And Holloway with the tap!
15:15This kid's got a bright future ahead of him.
15:17He's earned over the span of a record-breaking
15:1912-year career.
15:21He's out! Max Holloway
15:23extends his winning streak!
15:25I believe all the wins,
15:27every fight I do, it builds a legacy.
15:29You talked about his combinations.
15:31That's something right out of a video game.
15:33Every time we see him inside the octagon,
15:35we see a new and improved version.
15:37He got it!
15:39I won't ever go down not swinging.
15:41The sky's the limit for this kid.
15:43Our grades don't run. Our grades don't hide.
15:45I ain't running from no one. I ain't hiding from no one.
15:47Look at the strength of my schedule.
15:49Point at the ground and decide to stand
15:51in front of each other and bang out
15:53the last 10 seconds like that.
15:55Wow! What a finish!
15:57There's a very high fight IQ.
15:59Pettis is in trouble. Holloway's
16:01pouring it on. And that's it.
16:03Wow!
16:05If you want to be the best, you got to beat the best.
16:07Max Holloway knocks down Jose Aldo!
16:09And the best is blessed.
16:11Max Holloway is the undisputed
16:13UFC featherweight champion.
16:15This would not let him breathe.
16:17Men just annihilated him.
16:19Despite dropping the title to featherweight great
16:21Alexander Volkanovsky,
16:23Holloway remained a perennial
16:25contender with consistent performances
16:27against the division's upper rankings.
16:29Oh! Max Holloway looks as good
16:31as he's ever looked right now.
16:33I'm the best coach in UC, baby!
16:35The body's phenomenal.
16:37In this sport, or in anything in life,
16:39Holloway with the counter has Korean zombie wobbles.
16:41You got to leave moments that people
16:43are going to remember forever.
16:45Holloway won and done!
16:47While reclaiming the 145-pound title
16:49to rename the prime focus,
16:51a rare opportunity arose
16:53at a milestone event.
16:55Las Vegas!
16:57It has been the fight week
16:59of all fight weeks.
17:01And tonight, we have arrived
17:03at the monster that is UFC
17:05300.
17:07What a feeling in the air!
17:09The energy tonight has been insane!
17:11UFC 300 is so massive!
17:13It's crazy!
17:15As one of the most fierce
17:17lightweights in UFC history,
17:19Justin Gaethje was a befitting
17:21holder of the BMF belt.
17:23Holloway's unrelenting willingness
17:25to take on all challengers throughout his career
17:27perfectly placed him to compete
17:29for the coveted title.
17:31I saw Gaethje need a dance partner
17:33for the BMF belt.
17:35Shot my shot.
17:37Hey, brother.
17:39Let me know.
17:47If you want to be great, you got to take chances.
17:49He's looking for something big.
17:51Something that excites him.
17:53The chances we take is not chances out of luck.
17:55The chances I take is calculated chances.
17:57He has found that in Justin Gaethje.
17:59But if you go up and beat a Justin Gaethje,
18:01you have all the potential.
18:03If you go up and beat a Justin Gaethje,
18:05you have all the bragging rights that go with being the BMF champion.
18:07And man, he looks good.
18:09Me and my team knew what way the fight was going to plan out.
18:11I just got to show the world.
18:13Tension in this arena is palpable.
18:15I felt good from the first round, man.
18:17Oh!
18:19Good left hook by Max.
18:21He hurt him!
18:23I remember landing that spinning back kick at the end of the round.
18:25Oh!
18:27I saw him almost fall out the cage.
18:29I was like, oh, wow. That must have hurt.
18:31Caught him on the nose. Do not blow it!
18:33The second round, I heard Chris Coach yelling,
18:35don't blow out of the nose, Gaethje.
18:37I was like, wow, his nose is broken.
18:39It looks like that nose is destroyed.
18:41Holloway looks fresh, man.
18:43Oh, right hand by Holloway.
18:45I felt like I was in control the whole fight.
18:47Max is fighting very, very smart tonight.
18:49I felt like anything I could do was working,
18:51and it felt awesome.
18:53Holloway is showing no signs of slowing down.
18:55Max seems to be pitching a shutout right now.
18:57Oh, yeah.
18:59Your fight, Max. Your fight.
19:01Oh!
19:03Good right hand. Huge right in round five
19:05for Holloway.
19:07Holloway continues to fight.
19:09Another one.
19:11This is the toughest opponent he's ever fought,
19:13and he's fighting his best fight right now.
19:15The last 10 seconds came to the finish.
19:17Look at this.
19:19Holloway just told them, stand right here.
19:21Oh!
19:23Oh, big connection late.
19:25Oh!
19:27Oh!
19:29Oh!
19:31Oh, my God!
19:33Oh!
19:35Wait!
19:37Oh, my goodness!
19:39Wait, baby!
19:41Let's go!
19:43A lot of people say, why would you do that
19:45against one of the most dangerous 155ers
19:47that can take your lights out, use up four rounds?
19:49An absolute stunner
19:51at UFC 300!
19:53Oh, my God!
19:55And I'm like, because Justin Gaethje
19:57is a stand-up guy. If the world was reversed,
19:59I think he would have gave me the shot.
20:01That's a warrior! That's crazy!
20:03That's a real warrior! That's a B or not!
20:05He gave me an opportunity to fight for the BMF belt.
20:07I figured I'd give him an opportunity
20:09after the way this fight is going to retain it.
20:11His gun's blazing,
20:13and to do it against him,
20:15the Boogeyman of 155,
20:17it's just icing on the cake.
20:19Oh!
20:21But that is
20:23in the toughest sport in the world
20:25is Max Bless Holloway,
20:27and he might have opened up
20:29possibilities for undisputed title fights
20:31in two divisions.
20:33How can you deny him
20:35whatever he wants?
20:37Ladies and gentlemen,
20:39I'm here with one of the baddest
20:41ever fighting this sport.
20:43I gotta say, I'm here.
20:45I'm here, guys.
20:47Going into that UFC 300,
20:49I decided to prove to the people that I was undeniable.
20:51If I did my job,
20:53I knew a bunch of opportunities was gonna open.
20:55After the BMF fight,
20:57I wanted to fight Ilya Taporia.
20:59I wanted to become a two-time featherweight champion,
21:01so I called out the Matador.
21:03There's the El Matador!
21:05He is running away from a Boo at 145!
21:07Tell him to sign the gun contract.
21:09I'm right here.
21:11Ladies and gentlemen, one of the best of all time,
21:13Max Holloway!
21:15When I saw the knockout
21:17of Max Holloway in UFC 300,
21:19this is what I really wanted
21:21because now I have a
21:23clear opponent.
21:25Live from the Etihad Arena
21:27in Fight Island, Abu Dhabi,
21:29it's UFC 308, the main event.
21:31Undefeated featherweight champ,
21:33Ilya Taporia looks to make his first
21:35title defense against the legend
21:37and BMF, Max Holloway.
21:39It's gonna be
21:41very exciting for the fans to watch.
21:43I don't see any fight
21:45bigger than this fight.
21:47I can't wait for that main event.
21:49That title fight is absolutely outstanding.
21:57Newly crowned UFC featherweight king,
21:59Ilya Taporia,
22:01has embraced the changes that life as a champion
22:03presents.
22:05A recent move to Spain's capital, Madrid,
22:07was the next necessary step
22:09to find balance between his career
22:11and family.
22:13Hola!
22:15Hola!
22:19We moved from Alicante
22:21to Madrid. A lot of things
22:23changed since Alicante.
22:25World champion, new baby
22:27at home.
22:33Here in Madrid, of course,
22:35it's a bigger city, more
22:37opportunities, so many benefits.
22:41It's great to
22:43go to a new chapter and just create
22:45something new, right? With our family,
22:47the kids, the new house,
22:49it's been very exciting.
22:55I have my son, Hugo.
22:57Now I have my daughter.
22:59My new baby, my daughter.
23:01Her name is Georgina.
23:03Georgina Taporia.
23:05The love you can feel
23:07for a small thing
23:09like this, it's amazing.
23:11Any problem you are going
23:13through disappears, you know,
23:15when you hold them.
23:17I just look at them and I want to smile,
23:19you know?
23:25And both of them are a huge motivation
23:27for me because you can give
23:29to your child anything
23:31you can imagine, but the most important
23:33thing is love
23:35and you have to be
23:37their example, you know?
23:39So dad has to
23:41keep pushing himself,
23:43keep working hard,
23:45and this is what he's doing
23:47because I want the best things for my
23:49babies and for myself.
23:59Taporia's new home in Madrid also
24:01includes a custom-made training facility
24:05where the champion has created the perfect
24:07environment to prepare
24:09for his upcoming main event title fight.
24:23For me, the recovery sessions are very
24:25important because I'm able to prevent
24:27injuries and I don't
24:29have to cure them.
24:31I set up everything here.
24:33I have the recovery room.
24:37I have my boxing training,
24:39the grappling, the wrestling.
24:41I surround myself with
24:43great professionals that
24:45are part of my team.
24:47The hand-selected team
24:49readying the champion to face Max Holloway
24:51includes Ilya's brother
24:53and fellow UFC fighter,
24:55Aleksandr. At this point,
24:57my brother is like
24:59my head coach.
25:01He was part of
25:03basically all my training
25:05camps.
25:07He's been every time in the backstage
25:09with me
25:11so he knows
25:13everything about the game.
25:19Ilya is growing every day.
25:21This is the best part of him.
25:23He's not like he won the title
25:25and now everything is done.
25:27No, he's still learning.
25:29Max Holloway, he's something special.
25:31I believe in
25:33Ilya's skills and I think we're gonna
25:35get the job done.
25:37We are working in many
25:39areas but in the ground
25:41he doesn't do anything.
25:43In the wrestling, he doesn't do anything.
25:45He doesn't always strike.
25:47So the goal is to knock him out.
25:53He represents a lot of problems
25:55but the way
25:57I'm working, there's no way
25:59that he's gonna beat me.
26:01He's the best fighter in the world.
26:03I'm much better than him everywhere.
26:05I want to be the first one to knock him out.
26:19While the champion thrives in his new surroundings,
26:23the challenger remains rooted to his island home.
26:25Where his long time team
26:27draws upon extensive past experiences
26:29in preparation to claim
26:31the featherweight title
26:33for a second time.
26:37With Max, it's a partnership.
26:39It's not just coach and fighter
26:41what not, it's like coaches and
26:43fighter together growing.
26:45Every camp we have a recipe
26:47and it's more of anything, just adjustments.
26:49I think we have a good playbook,
26:51put in place.
26:53I think we have a good playbook, put in place.
26:55And it allows us to take Max
26:57and just make adjustments,
26:59tailor fit to the opponent.
27:05Max has an extremely high fight IQ.
27:09He learns as he goes in a rapid pace
27:11and he absorbs everything.
27:13We're gonna see if Ilya
27:15has that same type of IQ.
27:17Nice, beautiful.
27:1930 seconds.
27:21You want to be the best, especially in mixed martial arts,
27:23a forever growing sport.
27:25You need to find stuff
27:27and do stuff that people's not doing.
27:33Every fight, from fight to fight,
27:35I try to get better in IQ,
27:37in ways to take care of my body,
27:39in ways to train smarter,
27:41to get stronger.
27:45And every single fight, you don't see the same
27:47me in there.
27:49I go out there, I show something different.
27:51So I feel like we've been doing
27:53a pretty good job, me and my team,
27:55and you guys have been seeing the results.
27:57Max, he's accomplished
27:59so much already, but
28:01he's a guy that doesn't hang on to his
28:03accomplishments.
28:05He's definitely a goal-driven guy.
28:07You put something in front of him, some new challenge,
28:09it interests him. More than anything,
28:11getting this belt back provides Max
28:13with another accomplishment
28:15to solidify his legacy
28:17and to prepare him for the next stepping stone.
28:23Max Holloway rises
28:25to the level of competition
28:27he faces. He rises to
28:29challenges. One of the greatest
28:31featherweights we have ever seen.
28:33I just can't wait to get in the octagon when
28:35the doors lock. The money's phenomenal.
28:37I want to show the world a masterpiece
28:39coming out October 26th.
28:41Oh, that's it! I'm just going to leave
28:43something for you guys to remember for a lifetime.
28:47There's an El Malador!
28:49He is running away from Abu!
28:51I'm UFC 300.
28:53I didn't like the fight.
28:55I was like, this is like a bar fight.
28:57Iliad Zaporia has
28:59perfect technique. Here's no technique.
29:03There is no
29:05fat in any of this movement.
29:07So there's
29:09no way that I'm going to lose that fight.
29:11You think his boxing is
29:13better than mine? We're going to find out.
29:15Makes you wilt with the pressure.
29:17I'm the best boxer!
29:19He's been saying that he's the best boxer in the UFC.
29:21I have my
29:23doubts. Some of the best boxing
29:25in all of mixed martial arts.
29:27Brutal power.
29:29He is a breaker of men.
29:31If you think that you're better than me,
29:33show me.
29:35So imposing and
29:37so destructive.
29:39We're both going to be in the same octagon
29:41the same day on the same time.
29:43Show me wrong if you can.
29:45Beautiful technique. Let's do it.
29:47Point to the ground if you can.
29:49Call for him to stand and train!
29:51I will be there. Trust me.
29:53He's the real deal.
29:55October 26, the world will realize
29:57who is really the best fighter
29:59in the fairway division.
30:01Everybody wants to see Max Holloway
30:03versus Iliad Zaporia. That's the fight.
30:05Abu Dhabi will once again
30:07become the battleground for the world's elite
30:09fighters when the octagon
30:11returns for UFC 308.
30:15The co-main event
30:17features the rebooking of a pivotal
30:19match-up in the middleweight division
30:21with serious title
30:23implications.
30:25Looking for his first shot
30:27at UFC gold,
30:29Max Holloway
30:31will face Iliad Zaporia
30:33at UFC gold.
30:35Undefeated contender Hamzat Shmayev
30:37looks to continue
30:39on his path of destruction
30:41against a resurgent former champion
30:43in Robert Whittaker.
30:45Here is a man many believe
30:47is Australia's best hope
30:49for UFC glory.
30:51Robert Whittaker.
30:53The Australian icon is reflected
30:55on his past achievements to discover
30:57a newfound mindset
30:59that has him on a path to reclaiming
31:01the title he once held.
31:03He's better every time you see him in the octagon.
31:05Head kick!
31:07He's making his run towards greatness.
31:09A lot of my career
31:11I didn't think I'd get as far
31:13as I did. Robert Whittaker!
31:15I had no expectations of myself.
31:17Robert Whittaker with the nation
31:19on his shoulders.
31:21The fans and all that
31:23outside noise is one thing,
31:25but it's the inside noise that's hard
31:27to silence. This kid is on another
31:29level. The question is,
31:31does he have enough mental fortitude?
31:33And I learned to just
31:35root myself in facts. This is a guy
31:37that has fought against some of the more scary
31:39guys that we've
31:41ever seen in the octagon. The people that I've
31:43beaten, the fact that I was champ
31:45and I deserve
31:47to win that belt again.
31:49And Whittaker has said physically,
31:51mentally, emotionally, he has just never been
31:53in a better place. And now all he wants
31:55to do is get back to the title.
31:57It's a mindset that I've adopted
31:59and I've grown into. We're seeing the absolute
32:01best version of Whittaker, including
32:03when he was a champion. This is not
32:05a dream that he's given up on. He's not
32:07content that he was the champion once.
32:09He wants to cement his legacy.
32:1112 years into his UFC career, still
32:13got it. Good right hand by Whittaker.
32:15Trying to work his way back to a
32:17championship setting. Beautiful
32:19one-two. Every time
32:21he goes in there, he lays it on the line.
32:23Another hard low kick. He lets his
32:25fighting do the talking for him.
32:29A dominant performance against Paolo Costa
32:31earlier this year put Whittaker
32:33back in the title picture
32:35and lined up a headline fight
32:37with a surging contender.
32:39June 22nd, we'll be going to Saudi
32:41Arabia. Our first fight in the kingdom
32:43and the main event will be
32:45former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker
32:47versus undefeated
32:49Hamzat Cemaya to see who will be
32:51the number one contender for the
32:53UFC Middleweight Championship.
32:57Forged in the rugged surroundings of the
32:59Caucasus Mountains,
33:01Hamzat Cemaya's unique blend of
33:03skill and ferocity had him earmarked
33:05as a top prospect since his arrival
33:07in the UFC. An exciting
33:09fighter, an exciting debut.
33:13Everyone enjoyed my fight.
33:15He's non-stop with these punches.
33:17Because I'm trying to finish my opponents.
33:19There's the tap!
33:21Hamzat Cemaya by
33:23submission. I give what they want
33:25to see. They want to see the show.
33:27I give the show.
33:29Hamzat Cemaya is just a different type
33:31of fighter, but it's his aggressiveness.
33:33It's his self-belief that makes him
33:35very special. If I get the chance
33:37to finish somebody, I do it.
33:39If fans like it, I like it too.
33:41Oh, it's in. It's over.
33:43One shot. Hamzat Cemaya!
33:45One and done!
33:47You gotta be kidding me.
33:49I'm the best wrestler in the UFC.
33:51I will stay a long time. I'm gonna come
33:53for everybody. Hamzat Cemaya
33:55with an early shot. You believe me now?
33:57Oh, he's under attack. That is it!
33:59I have to jump! I have to kick it!
34:01I'm one of the best
34:03fighters in the world.
34:05One of one. A force
34:07unlike anything the
34:09fight game has ever seen.
34:11Straight right hand drops burns.
34:13Amazing control by Hamzat.
34:15That's it. There's the tap!
34:17When you talk about
34:19the hundreds of contenders
34:21that are out there grinding every day
34:23for one to stand out
34:25so emphatically,
34:27that is Hamzat Cemaya.
34:29Now
34:31Cemaya's world.
34:39The win over Kamaru Usman in his last
34:41outing extended his undefeated streak
34:43to 13 and put him
34:45on the cusp of a title shot.
34:47With a matchup against former middleweight champion
34:49Robert Whitaker.
34:51Work this way. Go. Side to side roll.
34:53That's it. Hunt him down.
34:55Hunt him down. Let's go. Hunt him down.
34:59We was in training camp.
35:01First month was very good.
35:03Look for the finish. Don't rush it. Don't rush it.
35:05And last three weeks
35:07my immunity go down.
35:09I don't know what happens.
35:11Time! Unfortunately
35:13Hamzat is violently
35:15and I mean violently ill.
35:17So Hamzat Cemaya is out of the fight
35:19next weekend.
35:21All the guys will eat same food.
35:23Only me get sick.
35:25He's in hospital and people are actually speculating
35:27as to whether or not he will ever
35:29fight again.
35:31Was hospital. Couple of days come out
35:33and try to train again.
35:35The same **** happen again.
35:37According to Dana, Hamzat is not just ill.
35:39He's violently ill and he'll need to go back home.
35:41Doctors said to me
35:43you need to just be off from the gym
35:45and just not training, not doing
35:47nothing.
35:49I went home to the mountains.
35:57Cemaya's withdrawal presented the
35:59opportunity for a rising prospect to
36:01take the headline spot.
36:03Hamzat's replacement is Ikram Alaskerov.
36:05It's still going to be the main event.
36:07His only loss is to Hamzat Cemaya.
36:09So this dude is a legit
36:11contender in only his third
36:13UFC fight.
36:15We were offered and accepted the fight
36:17within the same hour.
36:19They understand my mentality and what I want to do.
36:21Donning his patented pre-fight
36:23mean mug, enter the former
36:25undisputed UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker.
36:27Robert Whittaker is that guy
36:29that will fight anyone. If someone
36:31presents a challenge, he is willing to
36:33step up to that.
36:35He can defeat anyone on the planet.
36:37He was happy to accept a short
36:39notice change of opponent because
36:41in his mind, he shouldn't matter.
36:43I thought he was a very
36:45dangerous fighter. He's the sort of
36:47guy you need to be switched on for. You need
36:49to take the fight to him. Otherwise
36:51it's going to be a long night.
36:53But luckily we didn't need
36:55to worry about that.
37:01That fight, it was very important
37:03for me to highlight the mentality
37:05and I think that showed.
37:17I'm the boogie man. I'm the best in the world
37:19and I'm the most dangerous matchup for anyone
37:21in the division.
37:23Give it up for the reaper,
37:25Robert Whittaker.
37:27Despite the statement
37:29performance in Saudi Arabia,
37:31the Australian remained
37:33fixated on settling the unfinished
37:35business with Shmaev.
37:37To solidify his next
37:39shot at the title.
37:41Time!
37:43I saw the Abu Dhabi Cup was coming up.
37:45I saw the timeline was right.
37:47Whittaker versus Hamza Shmaev.
37:49That one is going to be wild.
37:51This is the co-main event.
37:53This is five rounds.
37:55He asked to fight Shmaev. I think that's a very bad thing to do.
37:57As you've all heard,
37:59the fight was announced in Abu Dhabi.
38:01The whole card got announced.
38:03Man, it looks like a banned card.
38:05I know that fight pushes me
38:07in the direction of the title.
38:09I beat Shmaev, I'm fighting for the belt next.
38:11Now, no sickness.
38:15Now in good shape, training hard.
38:17I want to focus on the fight.
38:21Now it's my time to beat him.
38:23Here it is.
38:27Here it is.
38:29Never been so much excited
38:31to fight somebody.
38:35I want to get that belt back.
38:39I want to be called two times.
38:41That's what I'm going to do.
38:49UFC 308
38:51The return of former middleweight champion
38:53Robert Whitaker.
38:55As an Australian icon,
38:57Whitaker's influence extends far beyond
38:59his achievements inside the Octagon.
39:01A role he embraces
39:03as he prepares for his upcoming bout
39:05against Homsat Shmaev.
39:07It's very important for fighters to capitalize
39:09on their spotlight, their relevancy
39:11and their popularity whilst
39:13they're fighting today.
39:15We're doing some filming with Howlerhead.
39:17Filming some media and different sort of
39:19advertisements. Have a good relationship with them
39:21so it's good fun.
39:23If it weren't for the UFC,
39:25I would never have
39:27had this opportunity and platform
39:29to make something of myself.
39:31Shmaev's going to come hard.
39:33I don't think he's going to be able to take me down.
39:35Or if he does, he's definitely not going to be able to hold me down.
39:37And I'm in there for 25 minutes
39:39trying to take his head off.
39:41It's a tricky balancing act.
39:45You want to utilize
39:47the platform that you give him.
39:49The popularity and the relevance
39:51and the spotlight.
39:53Catch the UFC at Gregory Hills Hotel.
39:55But also, you don't want to get
39:57distracted and not
39:59give everything you have to the next fight.
40:03Because that is your ticket.
40:09For his next fight,
40:11Whitaker understands
40:13the challenge he faces
40:15and draws upon experience against
40:17similar styles to ensure a victory
40:19at UFC 308.
40:2110 squats,
40:2310 sprawls, 10 push-ups,
40:2510 sit-ups.
40:27Do it twice.
40:29I understand Hamzat's a
40:31different beast than
40:33Yael Romero.
40:35Look at this. Whitaker with the takedown defense.
40:37Sensational.
40:39His movement is so crisp.
40:41His grappling's outstanding.
40:43This is a world championship
40:45caliber fighter you're looking at.
40:47Okay, partner up.
40:49Hands spread out on the mat.
40:51But I had a lot of ground to cover for those guys.
40:53And I did it.
40:55That's no different for Hamzat.
40:57One minute hand fighting.
41:01Strong hand fighting. Let's go, let's go.
41:03Action, action, action, action.
41:05It's MMA. You need to keep
41:07a balanced approach.
41:09But I think it's no surprise I'm doing a lot of wrestling.
41:11Keep walking, keep walking.
41:13One minute live wrestling.
41:15Very good.
41:17I've had two camps now for him.
41:19Explode, explode,
41:21explode, guys.
41:23I've got heaps of work in the bank already.
41:25Transition to double.
41:27Pressure, pressure, pressure.
41:33The higher the odds, the better I perform.
41:35The more adversity against me,
41:37the stronger I become.
41:39Stand up, stand up, stand up.
41:43I've had a lot of it, and I'm at a point
41:45where I am nigh unbeatable right now.
41:49Okay, back to the center.
41:51Nigh unstoppable.
41:53I'm still pushing to my
41:55prime era of my career.
41:57Ten seconds.
41:59And I'm looking forward to getting in there
42:01and testing this medal.
42:03Circle, circle, faster, faster, faster.
42:09A return to the tranquil
42:11surroundings of the Caucasus mountains
42:13has provided Hamzat Shmayev
42:15with the perfect environment
42:17to recalibrate his life and career
42:19following a turbulent period.
42:21Back home on the mountains,
42:23some fresh air
42:25gives you good energy.
42:27Tyson,
42:29what's your name?
42:31Hamzat Shmayev.
42:33Hamzat Shmayev.
42:35Hamzat Shmayev.
42:37That gives you good energy.
42:39Tyson.
42:41Before I get famous,
42:43everyone was quiet.
42:45Nobody tells me what to do.
42:47When I start to be famous,
42:49when I start to make money,
42:51everyone was stopping me, you know,
42:53do this, do that,
42:55and everyone tried to be coaches,
42:57and that was hard.
42:59Now I choose
43:01whatever I want to do
43:03and whatever I want to train.
43:05It gives you good energy.
43:07Whatever I do, I'm going to do it 100%.
43:11We're in the gym.
43:13It's Ozone Village.
43:15This place is built for the
43:17Olympic wrestlers in the mountains,
43:19and it's so amazing.
43:21I'm happy
43:23because I chose my choice.
43:25Being here and training with my coaches now,
43:27a new team with new guys
43:29from my country,
43:31this is one of the best places to live.
43:35Let's go.
43:39Salim, he's a wrestling coach.
43:41Everyone knows him in Russia, you know.
43:45He teaches so many world champions,
43:47two Olympic champions,
43:49Abu Aysar.
43:51He did train him to Beijing
43:53for the Olympic Games.
43:55Of course, that's why I bring him here.
44:05Because we have to know
44:07that physics and math have their own laws,
44:09and sports have their own laws.
44:11Keep it in your chest.
44:15When we go out here,
44:17no one bothers us.
44:19That's the first thing.
44:21The second thing is the high mountains.
44:23Let's rest.
44:25Walk on the floor.
44:27It's one of the best things.
44:29If we have billions of people
44:31with erythrocytes,
44:33it's four times more here.
44:37Explode.
44:39In 90 days,
44:41he can easily go to competitions
44:43with these erythrocytes.
44:47We're a smart team around me, you know.
44:49Let's go.
44:53With Robert Whittaker,
44:55you have to just go forward and pressure.
44:57And I'm the best wrestler
44:59in the world.
45:01And I'm the best wrestler
45:03who can pressure the guys.
45:07Differently,
45:09you're going to have a hard time
45:11that you never had before.
45:27He's back.
45:29He's really one of the very best.
45:31Maybe the most skilled middleweight we've ever seen.
45:33Robert
45:35Whittaker!
45:39Robert's been a champion
45:41and one of the best guys in the top.
45:43But I don't care about this guy
45:45in the world. It doesn't matter.
45:47You die.
45:51I give him half a chance,
45:53he'll kill me.
45:55But I take confidence because of how well-rounded I am.
45:57Get ready.
45:59I'm exceptional at it all.
46:01Easy.
46:05I'm faster.
46:07I'm a better striker.
46:09And I'm better at these things.
46:11I'm a hard guy to take down.
46:15I'm confident in my skills.
46:17I'm better than his.
46:19Why should I be worried
46:21about him?
46:23I'm a complete MMA fighter.
46:27I'm the best wrestler in the UFC.
46:31This isn't a wrestling match. This is an MMA fight.
46:35Good left and a right hand by Whittaker.
46:37I'm going to look to stuff his takedowns
46:39and I'm going to beat him up.
46:41His movement is so quick
46:43and this guy keeps getting better.
46:45He's worried about my wrestling
46:47and my right hand can knock out this guy.
46:49Oh! One and done!
46:51Kamsa Chimayev
46:53does it again!
46:55The fight with Chimayev is going to take
46:57all my focus and all my willpower.
46:59And I'm going to get in there
47:01and I'm going to rip in.
47:03Oh! An uppercut!
47:05And that'll do it! Robert Whittaker!
47:07The pivotal middleweight matchup sets the stage
47:09for two featherweight greats
47:11in the main event, battling it out
47:13for the coveted UFC title.
47:15I am so fired up for this fight!
47:17I gotta say, I'm him!
47:19I'm him, guys!
47:21He is running away! Sign the contract!
47:25It all goes down on October 26th
47:27when the Octagon returns
47:29to Abu Dhabi for UFC 308.
47:31But now the road
47:33to featherweight gold goes through
47:35Ilija Toporija.