UFC 308: Chimaev submits Whittaker, Topuria topples Holloway

Khamzat Chimaev has defeated Robert Whittaker with a first-round submission at UFC 308, shattering the Australian’s jaw in the process in the Abu Dhabi co-main event.

The submission moment came when Chimaev’s rear naked choke slipped up into a face crank, which led Whittaker to tap out almost immediately.

A photo shared online afterwards showed that three of the Australian’s teeth and a section of his jaw had been pushed backwards in his mouth and appeared to be floating loose.

“Before I came in here, they showed it to me,” said Chimaev of the photo.

“But I felt something was wrong with his chin when I pushed in.

“When I pushed it, I felt some creaks.

“I feel bad for that.

“I didn’t mean to break somebody’s chin.

“But my work is to make somebody’s pain, and to make me happy.”

Chimaev was a -250 favourite across UFC bookmakers heading into the clash between the two middleweights, with the 30-year-old undefeated across his first eight fights in the UFC.

He well and truly lived up to expectations by dominating Whittaker over the course of the three-minute, 34-second fight, securing a takedown in the opening 20 seconds and maintaining control throughout.

Topuria hands Holloway first-ever knockout in UFC 308 main event

In the evening’s main event, the betting favourite also won, with Ilia Topuria (-263.16) handing Max Holloway (+210) the first knockout of his career in the third round.

It was an even fight across the first two rounds, with Holloway landing some strong jabs and Topuria having periods of control on the mat.

But a big overhand right in the third round rocked Holloway, which Topuria pounced on to land a left hook that sent the American to the canvas before he was finished off with hammer fists.

“As you start to clip off legend after legend after legend, you eventually become a legend,” said UFC CEO Dana White of Topuria’s victory.

“Both guys fought great tonight.

“But Topuria did something that no one has ever done before.”

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