Ankalaev wins!published at 20:49 British Summer Time
Here's a result for you - Magomed Ankalaev has beaten Aleksandar Rakic by unanimous decision.
Up next is Robert Whittaker against Khamzat Chimaev.
Summary
Ilia Topuria defends UFC featherweight title against Max Holloway in main event in Abu Dhabi
Georgian Spanish Topuria takes on legend and former belt holder Holloway in his first defence
Topuria, 27, is unbeaten in 15 fights
Holloway is 26-7 & has two one-punch knockouts in his last two fights
UNDERCARD: Briton Lerone Murphy survives knockdown to beat Dan Ige on points
Get Involved - #bbcmma, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
Ankalaev wins!published at 20:49 British Summer Time
Holloway the record manpublished at 20:45 British Summer Time
Topuria v Holloway
Image source, Getty ImagesYou'll struggle to find a more respected fighter on the UFC roster than Max Holloway, but there's a good reason for that.
The 32-year-old has already enjoyed a glittering career, winning the featherweight title in 2017, before adding the commemorative BMF belt to his collection by beating Justin Gaethje in April.
Over his 12-year stint in the UFC the Hawaiian has set a number of records, including:
- Most significant strikes landed in UFC history at 3378
- Most significant strikes landed in a single fight (445 against Calvin Katter in 2021)
- Most wins in featherweight history at 20
- Most finishes in featherweight history at 11
- Longest win streak in featherweight history at 13
get involved Get Involved - Greatest UFC knockout?published at 20:42 British Summer Time
#bbcmma, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
Now I've got your minds fresh on that incredible Max Holloway knockout against Justin Gaethje, I want to know what the best KO you've seen in the UFC is.
Jorge Masvidal's flying knee on Ben Askren always springs to mind, as does Conor McGregor's 13-second KO of Jose Aldo.
Let us know using the contact details above!
Image source, Getty ImagesHolloway's stunning Gaethje KOpublished at 20:38 British Summer Time
Topuria v Holloway
Remember this? I'm sure you do!
UFC 300 produced a fight-of-the-year contender when Max Holloway stunningly knocked out Justin Gaethje in the final seconds.
Amazingly, it Holloway's second one-punch knockout in a row.
Six months later, Holloway fights for the UFC featherweight title. Another finish like that, please!
Image source, Getty ImagesTopuria's rapid risepublished at 20:34 British Summer Time
Topuria v Holloway
For years Alexander Volkanovski reigned as the king of the UFC featherweight division, defeating Max Holloway three times in one of the sport's best ever rivalries.
But then came Ilia Topuria.
The Georgian-Spaniard came into the bout in February unbeaten in his first 14 bouts, before knocking Volkanovski out in the second round to become his nations' first ever UFC champion.
Since debuting in the UFC four years ago, he has finished five of his seven opponents, in a rapid rise to the top.
Can he now make the first defence of his title, or will former champion Holloway regain the belt he lost to Volkanovski five years ago?
Image source, Getty Images'Josh Emmett man let's go'published at 20:31 British Summer Time
Murphy beats Ige
Lerone Murphy speaking to TNT Sports: "Josh Emmett man, let's go. I want somebody in that top ten. I think I've deserved it now, 15-0, eight fights undefeated in the UFC. I've had half of my professional fights in the UFC, the top level in the world.
"Give me somebody in that top ten, let's go Josh Emmett."
Murphy is pumped, as he should be aftering fighting back. Interestingly he says the knockdown was only a "flash knockdown" and that he wasn't hurt.
Image source, Getty ImagesPostpublished at 20:28 British Summer Time
Murphy beats Ige by unanimous decision
Here we go then, let's hear from Lerone Murphy after another fine win to keep his unbeaten run alive.
Ankalaev eyeing Pereira title boutpublished at 20:27 British Summer Time
Ankalaev v Rakic
Paul Battison
Â鶹ԼÅÄ Sport journalistOne man who will be keeping a close eye on this fight between Magomed Ankalaev and Aleksandar Rakic is light-heavyweight champion Alex Pereira.
The Brazilian has had a remarkable year, defending his title three times, and has beaten almost every top contender in the division in emphatic fashion, except Ankalaev.
The Russian is unbeaten since 2018, winning 10 fights while narrowly missing out on the title in a draw with Jan Blachowicz in 2022.
Should Ankalaev beat Austria's Rakic, he will be the overwhelming favourite to be Pereira's next challenger.
Postpublished at 20:24 British Summer Time
Ankalaev v Rakic
As we wait for the main event of the night, another fight is about to get under way with Magomed Ankalaev going toe-to-toe with Aleksandar Rakic. We won't be bringing you round-by-round updates but we'll chip in if something major happens!
'It's going to be a close fight' - Murphypublished at 20:20 British Summer Time
Topuria v Holloway
Manchester's Lerone Murphy gave his thoughts on Ilia Topuria's title defence against Max Holloway.
Murphy, a featherweight himself, is backing this to be a "close" fight.
"Topuria’s a high-level fighter, very good quality fighter everywhere, and he’s coming with the Conor McGregor kind of swagger now the way he’s talking shit to everybody, but he has the skills to back it up to be fair.
"I think it’s going to be a close fight, I think it will either be Topuria early or Holloway going the distance. If Topuria can’t get him out of there early I think Holloway takes it."
Image source, Getty ImagesMain event build-uppublished at 20:16 British Summer Time
Now we've got Lerone Murphy's win confirmed, let's move on to building up to the main event of the night; Ilia Topuria v Max Holloway.
We'll have quotes shortly for you from Murphy but I can tell you he did just call out Josh Emmett.
Postpublished at 20:10 British Summer Time
Murphy v Ige
All three judges give it to the Manchester fighter by a score of 29-28.
Murphy now moves to 15-0 with one draw. Is 2025 going to be the year he gets a world title chance?
Image source, Getty ImagesMurphy takes it!published at 20:09 British Summer Time
BreakingMurphy v Ige
What a win for Murphy!
Round threepublished at 20:08 British Summer Time
Murphy v Ige
Great defensive work from Murphy to drag himself back to his feet while taking very little damage. Murphy needs to do something to clinch the round and he attempts a submission of his own. Into the final 15 seconds and they're both swinging!
Murphy is the one who lands with some heavy shots. He even tried a flying knee!
This one is too close to call as we go to the scorecards...
Postpublished at 20:05 British Summer Time
Daniel Cormier
Retired two-weight UFC champion on TNT SportsLerone Murphy needs to get to his feet. He cannot stay here.
Round threepublished at 20:04 British Summer Time
Murphy v Ige
Did Ige put everything into the first round? It seems that way right now. Murphy looks the fresher of the two right now but Ige nails a takedown and is looking for a submission chance.
Murphy needs to get up if he's to win this fight.
Round twopublished at 20:02 British Summer Time
Murphy v Ige
Much better round from Murphy. His footwork was brilliant and Ige was unable to land anything of note on him. Murphy landed a takedown and looked for a triangle choke.
Surely that's 1-1 in rounds now? It all comes down to this!
Image source, Getty ImagesRound twopublished at 19:58 British Summer Time
Murphy v Ige
A more tentative start to the second round from both men after both took considerable damage in the first. Murphy is trying to keep the distance and use his superior striking skills but we've seen just how explosive Ige can be.
Postpublished at 19:56 British Summer Time
Daniel Cormier
Retired two-weight UFC champion on TNT SportsWhen you got power like that, you can let it fly.
Round onepublished at 19:56 British Summer Time
Murphy v Ige
Wow! What an end to the first round that was! I was just about to type how Murphy was well in control in the second half of the round but then Ige dropped him with a massive left hook.
Murphy did well to scramble to safety. It looked like the referee was just about to step in to stop it when Murphy began to return fire.
He then took Ige to the ground, a smart move and it is enough to see him to the bell.