Aljamain Sterling, a prominent figure in the UFC, has recently shared his thoughts on UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria’s game. According to Sterling, one of the biggest question marks in Topuria’s game is his cardio. Topuria, who boasts an impressive record of 15-0 in MMA and 7-0 in the UFC, is set to defend his title against Max Holloway in the upcoming UFC 308 headliner. Sterling pointed out that in Topuria’s previous fight against Alexander Volkanovski, the champion struggled in the first round before eventually claiming victory with a knockout in the second round. Sterling emphasized that Volkanovski had early success against Topuria but got caught when he tried to exchange punches on the cage.
Sterling highlighted Max Holloway’s strengths as a fighter, stating that Holloway’s footwork, high guard, and long punches set him apart in the featherweight division. Despite having a shorter reach than Volkanovski, Holloway’s footwork plays a crucial role in his fights, allowing him to stay in his range and land effective strikes. Sterling believes that Holloway’s kicking game and takedown defense could pose significant challenges for Topuria, who excels in grappling but might struggle against a fighter with Holloway’s skill set.
One of Sterling’s main concerns regarding Topuria’s title defense is his durability and cardio when faced with a fighter like Holloway. Sterling pointed out that while Holloway has a reputation for his durability and ability to withstand five-round wars, Topuria’s ability to endure deep waters remains a question mark. Sterling raised the question of whether Topuria could handle being dragged into later rounds and facing fatigue. In a hypothetical scenario where Holloway utilizes his striking and movement to tire out Topuria, Sterling believes it could significantly impact the outcome of the fight.
Sterling also highlighted the importance of testing Topuria’s grappling and takedown defense, as well as forcing him to expend more energy than expected. By creating situations where Topuria faces fatigue, failed takedown attempts, or struggles to secure takedowns against Holloway, Sterling believes that the fight could take an interesting turn. Topuria’s aggressive fighting style, which includes spinning back kicks, could pose a threat to his opponents, but Sterling is interested in seeing how Topuria handles adversity and fatigue in a high-stakes fight against a seasoned fighter like Holloway.
Aljamain Sterling’s analysis of UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria’s cardio and fighting style provides valuable insights into the upcoming title defense against Max Holloway. Sterling’s observations on Topuria’s strengths and weaknesses, as well as his recommendations for Holloway to capitalize on potential vulnerabilities, add an intriguing layer of analysis to the highly anticipated matchup. As fight fans eagerly await the outcome of UFC 308, Sterling’s insights offer a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities faced by both fighters in the octagon.