UFC Champ Ilia Topuria Fires Back at Cristiano Ronaldo: ‘Learn to Distinguish Confidence from Arrogance’

Ilia Topuria Slams Cristiano RonaldoThe Spanish-Georgian UFC champion Ilia Topuria has taken aim at all-time great footballer Cristiano Ronaldo in a recent online…

Ilia Topuria Slams Cristiano Ronaldo

The Spanish-Georgian UFC champion Ilia Topuria has taken aim at all-time great footballer Cristiano Ronaldo in a recent online rant.

Ilia Topuria Slams Cristiano Ronaldo

Ilia Topuria captured the UFC featherweight crown earlier this year with a knockout against top-ranked pound-for-pound athlete Alexander ‘The Great’ Volkanovski. ‘El Matador’ then defended his title against the highly skilled Max Holloway with another knockout victory.

But professional Footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, of Portugal, picked against Ilia Topuria heading into the match. Ronaldo enjoyed Francis Ngannou’s PFL world title victory and spent time with the Cameroonian athlete backstage. There, the football star said: “[Topuria] speaks too much… I think when he [beat] Volk, Volk wasn’t [ready] because of that kick… [Topuria] didn’t fight with the top guys. If he beats Max, I will respect.”

In response to Cristiano Ronaldo, on X, Ilia Topuria Tweeted: “I didn’t expect someone like you to be unable to distinguish between confidence and arrogance. But, at the end of the day, we all reflect our own reality onto others. I wish you the best for what remains of your career, and God bless your family.”

ilia topuria cristiano ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo’s football career is remarkable. Starting at Sporting CP in Portugal, he moved to Manchester United in 2003, where he became a global superstar, before joining Real Madrid in 2009 for a then-record transfer fee. At Real Madrid, he cemented his status as one of the greatest players of all time, winning numerous titles and individual awards, before moving to Juventus in 2018 and later returning to Manchester United in 2021. He now plays in Saudi Arabia with the Pro League club Al Nassr.

UFC Champ Ilia Topuria Fires Back at Cristiano Ronaldo: ‘Learn to Distinguish Confidence from Arrogance’

Ilia Topuria Slams Cristiano RonaldoThe Spanish-Georgian UFC champion Ilia Topuria has taken aim at all-time great footballer Cristiano Ronaldo in a recent online…

Ilia Topuria Slams Cristiano Ronaldo

The Spanish-Georgian UFC champion Ilia Topuria has taken aim at all-time great footballer Cristiano Ronaldo in a recent online rant.

Ilia Topuria Slams Cristiano Ronaldo

Ilia Topuria captured the UFC featherweight crown earlier this year with a knockout against top-ranked pound-for-pound athlete Alexander ‘The Great’ Volkanovski. ‘El Matador’ then defended his title against the highly skilled Max Holloway with another knockout victory.

But professional Footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, of Portugal, picked against Ilia Topuria heading into the match. Ronaldo enjoyed Francis Ngannou’s PFL world title victory and spent time with the Cameroonian athlete backstage. There, the football star said: “[Topuria] speaks too much… I think when he [beat] Volk, Volk wasn’t [ready] because of that kick… [Topuria] didn’t fight with the top guys. If he beats Max, I will respect.”

In response to Cristiano Ronaldo, on X, Ilia Topuria Tweeted: “I didn’t expect someone like you to be unable to distinguish between confidence and arrogance. But, at the end of the day, we all reflect our own reality onto others. I wish you the best for what remains of your career, and God bless your family.”

ilia topuria cristiano ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo’s football career is remarkable. Starting at Sporting CP in Portugal, he moved to Manchester United in 2003, where he became a global superstar, before joining Real Madrid in 2009 for a then-record transfer fee. At Real Madrid, he cemented his status as one of the greatest players of all time, winning numerous titles and individual awards, before moving to Juventus in 2018 and later returning to Manchester United in 2021. He now plays in Saudi Arabia with the Pro League club Al Nassr.

UFC Champ Ilia Topuria Fires Back at Cristiano Ronaldo: ‘Learn to Distinguish Confidence from Arrogance’

Ilia Topuria Slams Cristiano RonaldoThe Spanish-Georgian UFC champion Ilia Topuria has taken aim at all-time great footballer Cristiano Ronaldo in a recent online…

Ilia Topuria Slams Cristiano Ronaldo

The Spanish-Georgian UFC champion Ilia Topuria has taken aim at all-time great footballer Cristiano Ronaldo in a recent online rant.

Ilia Topuria Slams Cristiano Ronaldo

Ilia Topuria captured the UFC featherweight crown earlier this year with a knockout against top-ranked pound-for-pound athlete Alexander ‘The Great’ Volkanovski. ‘El Matador’ then defended his title against the highly skilled Max Holloway with another knockout victory.

But professional Footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, of Portugal, picked against Ilia Topuria heading into the match. Ronaldo enjoyed Francis Ngannou’s PFL world title victory and spent time with the Cameroonian athlete backstage. There, the football star said: “[Topuria] speaks too much… I think when he [beat] Volk, Volk wasn’t [ready] because of that kick… [Topuria] didn’t fight with the top guys. If he beats Max, I will respect.”

In response to Cristiano Ronaldo, on X, Ilia Topuria Tweeted: “I didn’t expect someone like you to be unable to distinguish between confidence and arrogance. But, at the end of the day, we all reflect our own reality onto others. I wish you the best for what remains of your career, and God bless your family.”

ilia topuria cristiano ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo’s football career is remarkable. Starting at Sporting CP in Portugal, he moved to Manchester United in 2003, where he became a global superstar, before joining Real Madrid in 2009 for a then-record transfer fee. At Real Madrid, he cemented his status as one of the greatest players of all time, winning numerous titles and individual awards, before moving to Juventus in 2018 and later returning to Manchester United in 2021. He now plays in Saudi Arabia with the Pro League club Al Nassr.

UFC Champ Ilia Topuria Fires Back at Cristiano Ronaldo: ‘Learn to Distinguish Confidence from Arrogance’

Ilia Topuria Slams Cristiano RonaldoThe Spanish-Georgian UFC champion Ilia Topuria has taken aim at all-time great footballer Cristiano Ronaldo in a recent online…

Ilia Topuria Slams Cristiano Ronaldo

The Spanish-Georgian UFC champion Ilia Topuria has taken aim at all-time great footballer Cristiano Ronaldo in a recent online rant.

Ilia Topuria Slams Cristiano Ronaldo

Ilia Topuria captured the UFC featherweight crown earlier this year with a knockout against top-ranked pound-for-pound athlete Alexander ‘The Great’ Volkanovski. ‘El Matador’ then defended his title against the highly skilled Max Holloway with another knockout victory.

But professional Footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, of Portugal, picked against Ilia Topuria heading into the match. Ronaldo enjoyed Francis Ngannou’s PFL world title victory and spent time with the Cameroonian athlete backstage. There, the football star said: “[Topuria] speaks too much… I think when he [beat] Volk, Volk wasn’t [ready] because of that kick… [Topuria] didn’t fight with the top guys. If he beats Max, I will respect.”

In response to Cristiano Ronaldo, on X, Ilia Topuria Tweeted: “I didn’t expect someone like you to be unable to distinguish between confidence and arrogance. But, at the end of the day, we all reflect our own reality onto others. I wish you the best for what remains of your career, and God bless your family.”

ilia topuria cristiano ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo’s football career is remarkable. Starting at Sporting CP in Portugal, he moved to Manchester United in 2003, where he became a global superstar, before joining Real Madrid in 2009 for a then-record transfer fee. At Real Madrid, he cemented his status as one of the greatest players of all time, winning numerous titles and individual awards, before moving to Juventus in 2018 and later returning to Manchester United in 2021. He now plays in Saudi Arabia with the Pro League club Al Nassr.

Watch: Cristiano Ronaldo Reacts to Francis Ngannou’s Stunning Knockout, Shares Emotional Connection

cristiano ronaldo francis ngannouSuperstar Cristiano Ronaldo sat cage side to watch his friend Francis Ngannou earn a world title in MMA. Cameroon’s…

cristiano ronaldo francis ngannou

Superstar Cristiano Ronaldo sat cage side to watch his friend Francis Ngannou earn a world title in MMA. Cameroon’s Ngannou and the Portuguese footballer Ronaldo are old friends but both compete largely in Saudi Arabia.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time. With Manchester United, he won multiple titles including three Premier League championships and the UEFA Champions League. Afterward, he transferred to Real Madrid and became the club’s all-time leading scorer winning four more Champions League titles. Ronaldo joined Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr in January 2023, reportedly earning one of the highest salaries in football history.

Cristiano Ronaldo Francis Ngannou

Francis Ngannou

Cameroon’s Francis Ngannou was able to become the UFC heavyweight champion, capturing the world title with a stunning knockout. After defending this throne, he left the organization and took on new challenges. Ngannou competed in two blockbuster boxing matches, both hosted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Last week In Riyadh, he earned the PFL heavyweight crown by first-round knockout.

Francis Ngannou PFL
Photo by Tim Wheaton

Cristiano Ronaldo Reacts to Francis Ngannou

Both Cristiano Ronaldo and Francis Ngannou were in Riyadh for the PFL fight and the football megastar enjoyed watching the bout. See below for his reaction:

During their backstage meeting, Ronaldo was a pillar of support for Ngannou according to head coach Eric Nicksick. Speaking to MMA Junkie, he explained:

“He’s super down to earth, super cool guy, and he’s actually a huge fight fan. He had a bunch of questions. He was talking to me about Strickland, he was talking to me about this and whatever fight it was. At one point Francis got up to wrap his hands and Ronaldo was talking about that he could feel Francis’ energy and he’s like, ‘I’m going to give him words of encouragement.’”

Earlier this year, Francis Ngannou lost his one-year-old son. Cristiano Ronaldo related and helped out the athlete with advice. Nicksick continued:

“He was talking about the loss of one of his children and how he related to things like that. It was pretty cool. I know how big of a star he is, but him sitting next to me and having this very personal conversation – he felt like he was a part of the team right then and there. His son was in there with us and hanging out. It was very much a welcomed energy to have in the room, especially with someone of that stature that understands the highest of pressure. It was cool. He was a great guy. Very down to earth. Very cool.”

Cristiano Ronaldo answers: MMA or Boxing?

Cristiano Ronaldo answers: MMA or Boxing?Taking in the action at notable boxing events in Saudi Arabia over the last couple of years, professional footballing…

Cristiano Ronaldo answers: MMA or Boxing?

Taking in the action at notable boxing events in Saudi Arabia over the last couple of years, professional footballing icon, Cristiano Ronaldo has provided his opinion on the ever-evolving question: MMA or Boxing?

Ronaldo, a former footballing star for Real Madrid and Manchester United — twice, currently plays his trade in Saudi Arabia, featuring with Pro League side Al Nassr — netting 50 goals for the side since his unceremonious second exit from Old Trafford two years ago.

ronaldo conor

Cristiano Ronaldo picks MMA over boxing as his preferred combat sport

And spotted side-by-side alongside former two-division UFC champion, Conor McGregor sat ringside at Francis Ngannou’s boxing match debut with former WBC heavyweight titleholder, Tyson Fury last year in a controversial decision — Cristiano Ronaldo has shared his thoughts on which combat sports he finds better: MMA or Boxing?

Picking mixed martial arts as his preferred combat sports over boxing — despite appearing at Oleksandr Usyk’s title unification clash with the above-mentioned, Fury alongside Saudi adviser, Turki Alalshikh — the veteran Portuguese striker appears to have his preference set on mixed martial arts over combat exclusively in the squared circle.

Khabib Nurmagomedov

Along with his pick of MMA over boxing, Ronaldo claims he would also rather watch the NBA over the NFL, tennis over golf, Formula 1 over it’s motorcycle MOTOGP partner — Ronaldo could not separate between tennis megastars, Novak Djokovic, or Spaniard ace, Rafael Nadal.

Francis Ngannou Cristiano Ronaldo UFC

When it comes to professional wrestlers, the European Championships winner also sided with The Rock instead of veteran Hulk Hogan, and picked Chicago Bulls icon, Michael Jordan over Golden State Warriors shooter, Stephen Curry.