Ilia Topuria vs Max Holloway – UFC 308 LIVE: Score card, round-by-round updates as Shara Magomedov secures insane win ahead of featherweight title fight for the first time

We’ve already seen Sergio Ramos play his part in tonight’s main event, accompanying compatriot Ilia Topuria during yesterday’s weigh-in ceremony.

But the former Real Madrid star is not the only illustrious defender to get involved in one of the biggest fights of the year.

Al-Nassr defender Aymeric Laporte has been pictured heading to his seat as tonight’s biggest clashes draw ever closer.

We mentioned before the fight that Magomedov’s greatest attribute is the unorthodox striking style he employs and you really couldn’t get a better demonstration than that finish.

The undefeated Russian first landed a spinning punch before rotating to the other side to land another punch that ultimately ended the fight.

In 15 years following MMA I have never seen anything like this…

Magomedov proclaims himself the best striker in the division in his post-fight interview and criticizes Israel Adesanya.

On that evidence, I can’t imagine there are many people who wouldn’t want to see those two go down.

Viral star Hasbulla is on hand to cheer on his compatriot as we prepare for round two.

Both fighters seem very aware of the skills their opponent possesses before we get a break in the action as a kick from Petrosyan lands low.

Magomedov seems to have the speed advantage in the attacking range, but Petrosyan is finding his way inside and landing direct punches.

We are yet to see the spinning attacks that Magomedov is so praised for as we reach the midway point of this three-round fight.

Magomedov’s high kick lands flush, but again the momentum slows as this time Petrosyan complains that one kick was low.

Much better round for the less fortunate.

Just as I write, Magomedov lands a double back fist that sends his opponent crashing to the canvas and the referee stops him!

Petrosyan instantly looks to close the distance and attacks with kicks to quell Magomedov’s unorthodox punches.

He intervenes with a big right hand that staggers the Russian, but Magomedov does well to regain his composure.

Great response from Magomedov as he advances with his right hand, but Petrosyan’s accuracy is causing him problems early in the first round.

He closes the first round, but Magomedov surpasses him with his activity.

Mail Sport Scorecard: Shara Bullet Magomedov 10-9 Armen Petrosyan

Tonight’s main card begins with one of the highest-rated prospects in the UFC middleweight division.

Shara Bullet Magomedov has made an instant name for herself at 185 pounds with her unique style and undefeated record inside the octagon.

There have been questions about whether he has the fighting ability to complement his striking, but if Armen Petrosyan’s Thai boxing exit music is anything to go by, this one will be contested on the feet.

Not only did Myktybek Orolbai suffer his first UFC loss tonight, but he was also left with a nasty facial bruise for his troubles.

The Kyrgyz lightweight took on Mateusz Rebecki in what turned out to be an instant classic over three hard-fought rounds in tonight’s preliminary portion.

However, the battle scars from 15 minutes of back-and-forth action certainly left their mark as he suffered extensive swelling under his right eye.

However, although he didn’t raise his hand, the 26-year-old has certainly put himself in contention for a post-fight bonus tonight.

If the preliminary card is anything to go by, tonight could be really special.

We’ve already seen several finishes throughout the night at the Etihad Arena, but none as peculiar as when former lightweight champion Rafael Dos Anjos took on Geoff Neal.

The clash ultimately lasted less than two minutes before a freak injury ended the fight before it really began.

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And welcome to Mail Sport’s coverage of tonight’s UFC 308 card from the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

We’ve got a great main card in store, headlined by a couple of can’t-miss matchups.

In the co-main event, Khamzat Chimaev faces the toughest test in his seemingly unstoppable rise to UFC gold as he takes on former middleweight champion and perennial contender Robert Whittaker.

Then, in our main event, Ilia Topuria will look to make the first defense of her featherweight title since she knocked out reigning champion Alexander Volkanovski to secure the belt in February.

Standing in his way will be the man widely considered one of the greatest 145-pound wrestlers the sport has ever seen, Max Holloway.

Stay here like me and Charlotte Daly will bring you all the news and updates from what promises to be one of the most exciting events of the year.