ilia topuria

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

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…

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.”

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’

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

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

UFC Vet Chimes In On Pereira vs. Topuria Fighter Of The Year Debate: ‘Alex Didn’t Knock Out P4P Greats’

Matt Brown believes that Ilia Topuria has the edge over Alex Pereira in the discussion for UFC Fighter of the Year. “El Matador” secured the featherweight title by knocking out Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 in February. Subsequently, Topuria successfully retained his belt last Saturday in the main event of UFC 308, making history as […]

Continue Reading UFC Vet Chimes In On Pereira vs. Topuria Fighter Of The Year Debate: ‘Alex Didn’t Knock Out P4P Greats’ at MMA News.

Matt Brown believes that Ilia Topuria has the edge over Alex Pereira in the discussion for UFC Fighter of the Year.

“El Matador” secured the featherweight title by knocking out Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 in February. Subsequently, Topuria successfully retained his belt last Saturday in the main event of UFC 308, making history as the first fighter to knock out Max Holloway.

Meanwhile, “Poatan” successfully defended his light heavyweight title three times in just six months, with all victories coming by way of knockout. He began this impressive streak by stopping Jamahal Hill in the first round at UFC 300 in April. He then defeated Jiri Prochazka on two weeks’ notice at UFC 303 in June. Most recently, Pereira stopped Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 307 earlier this month.

#AndStill #UFC307 pic.twitter.com/NZIvVYQGSM

— danawhite (@danawhite) October 6, 2024

With less than two full months remaining in 2024, Pereira stood out as the leading contender for Fighter of the Year. However, “The Immortal” contends that Topuria’s impressive knockout victories over two of the top 145-pounders in history had already secured him the year-end accolade, placing him ahead of the Brazilian and all other contenders.

During a recent episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer (via MMA Fighting), Brown noted that while “El Matador” might have one fewer win than Pereira this year, the caliber of his opponents in title fights has set a new benchmark for competitive excellence.

Read More: Alexander Volkanovski On Ilia Topuria’s Fighter Of The Year Claim: ‘If It Wasn’t Pereira Saving Cards…’

Continue Reading UFC Vet Chimes In On Pereira vs. Topuria Fighter Of The Year Debate: ‘Alex Didn’t Knock Out P4P Greats’ at MMA News.

Sean O’Malley’s Coach Analyzes How He Would Fare Against Ilia Topuria

UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria is the man of the moment right now following his knockout win over Max Holloway in the main event of UFC 308. In the past, there was a lot of people calling out “El Matador” but this has gone quiet following this recent performance. The new UFC star has now […]

Continue Reading Sean O’Malley’s Coach Analyzes How He Would Fare Against Ilia Topuria at MMA News.

The new UFC star has now beaten two great former champions in back-to-back fights, finishing both Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski. It wasn’t that long ago that the champion of the weight class below was eyeing up a fight with him.

Before Sean O’Malley lost his bantamweight belt to Merab Dvalishvili, who certainly isn’t going to fight Topuria, “Suga” had teased the idea of moving up in weight. Topuria appeared to welcome it but after what he did in Abu Dhabi at the weekend, O’Malley jokingly remarked that he’s no longer interested.

Despite this, O’Malley’s long time coach Tim Welch believes that the 135-pounder could cause Topuria some issues due to the strengths be brings to the table. Many are looking at the featherweight champion and his undefeated record as an unbeatable fighter in this current form.

Welch explained in a recent interview with Submission Radio why this is never the case and how O’Malley would be able to have success against him.

“No, I don’t think it’s past. I mean, you never know what’s going to happen in the UFC. It’s not impossible that Volkanovski goes out there and beats Ilia Topuria. I mean, that’s possible so you never know and I do think stylistically, Sean could give Ilia problems. He really could but Ilia Topuria is a very, very scary fight.

“That’s not a fight that you go in there and be like, ‘Oh yeah man we’re gonna…’, it’s like you make one mistake with Ilia Topuria and you’re going to be lights out, looking up at the ceiling or whatever but that’s a scary, scary fight. But I do believe that Sean, with his range and with his speed and with his, with his I mean, just his, his overall skill set, he could give Ilia problems. I do believe that.”

Continue Reading Sean O’Malley’s Coach Analyzes How He Would Fare Against Ilia Topuria at MMA News.

Daniel Cormier: McGregor Had ‘Great Power’ At 145, But Not The ‘Skills’ Of Topuria

Former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier is full of praise for featherweight kingpin Ilia Topuria following this weekend’s pay-per-view event. Topuria cemented his grip on the crown at 145 pounds on Saturday in Abu Dhabi, where he headlined UFC 308 opposite fan-favorite legend Max Holloway eight months on from his knockout of Alexander Volkanovski. Despite […]

Continue Reading Daniel Cormier: McGregor Had ‘Great Power’ At 145, But Not The ‘Skills’ Of Topuria at MMA News.

Former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier is full of praise for featherweight kingpin Ilia Topuria following this weekend’s pay-per-view event.

Topuria cemented his grip on the crown at 145 pounds on Saturday in Abu Dhabi, where he headlined UFC 308 opposite fan-favorite legend Max Holloway eight months on from his knockout of Alexander Volkanovski.

Despite being faced with a previously indestructible chin, “El Matador” vowed to put Holloway down for the first time. And against the predictions of many, the 27-year-old did just that after connecting with a vicious left hook in round three.

With the result, Topuria has added a successful defense to his reign, remained undefeated in MMA, and staked a strong claim for 2024’s Fighter of the Year accolade.

Among those running out of superlatives for the Spaniard is Cormier, who analyzed where the champ sits among the all-time featherweight greats during a video uploaded to his YouTube channel.

Plenty of comparisons have been made between Topuria and Conor McGregor in recent times, and the Irishman has even dismissed the reigning titleholder’s talents compared to his featherweight iteration.

“DC,” however, sees parts of “El Matador’s” game that go above and beyond McGregor’s.

“I don’t know if we have ever seen a guy at 145 that punches like this dude. He hits like no one I’ve ever seen before,” Cormier said. “Conor McGregor had great power at 145, but Conor McGregor I don’t think had the skills that Ilia Topuria has in terms of his pure boxing, without going and fighting a pure boxing match.

“I was talking to some of the people in the back and they told me, ‘He’s like GGG (Gennadiy Golovkin),’ and I agree. Remember GGG just used to starch dudes early in his career? Topuria’s like that. Topuria is that guy,” Cormier continued. “He has that power to knock you out and just do it in absolutely devastating fashion. You try to find the words to describe him, but it’s proving very, very difficult. I never thought that anybody would be able to knock out Max Holloway.”

While getting McGregor back to the cage to fight Michael Chandler proved too much of a challenge in recent years, talk of him doing battle with Topuria has suddenly gained strength in the aftermath of UFC 308.

Volkanovski will evidently have something to say about that, however, having been confirmed as next in line for Topuria by UFC CEO Dana White following the Abu Dhabi-held PPV.

Say what you will, McGregor x Topuria would be one of the biggest fights in UFC history. pic.twitter.com/qjA6QTGgAW

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) October 26, 2024

Read More: Alexander Volkanovski On Ilia Topuria’s Fighter Of The Year Claim: ‘If It Wasn’t Pereira Saving Cards…’

Continue Reading Daniel Cormier: McGregor Had ‘Great Power’ At 145, But Not The ‘Skills’ Of Topuria at MMA News.

UFC Madrid? Ilia Topuria Dreams Big with a Blockbuster Fight at Bernabeu Stadium

Ilia Topuria recently made headlines with a stunning victory at UFC 308, where he defended his featherweight title against…

Ilia Topuria recently made headlines with a stunning victory at UFC 308, where he defended his featherweight title against Max Holloway. Following this victory, Topuria expressed his dream of hosting a UFC event at Real Madrid’s iconic Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. He has even reached out to UFC President Dana White to discuss making this dream a reality.

UFC Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Spain

Ilia Topuria’s connection to the Bernabéu is personal; he is a lifelong fan of Real Madrid and had the opportunity to experience the stadium atmosphere earlier this year when he attended a match after winning the title from Alexander Volkanovski. The recent renovations to the stadium, including a new roof, have made it even more suitable for large events. An AI-generated visualization by Casasdeapuestas.bet has depicted what such a UFC event might look like if it were held there in 2025.

UFC Madrid Ilia Topuria Bernabeu Stadium Spain

The Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, with a capacity of nearly 78,300. This would be a significant milestone for Ilia Topuria, who wants to bring glory back to the stadium through his fights. His recent knockout of Holloway has sparked excitement about the possibility of a UFC event in Spain, something that Dana White seems eager to pursue. He acknowledged that Ilia Topuria’s performance has increased interest in bringing the UFC to Spain and indicated that they are working on logistics for such an event.

Dana White explained:

“I want to go to Spain as bad as Spain wants us to come, so we’re working on it. We’ll get it done there. There’s never been a time where we said we’re going to do something and we don’t do it. We figure it out, and we’ll get it done. It’s important for me to go to Spain in ’25, so we’ll figure it out. This business is star driven, so when we have a South African (champion like Dricus Du Plessis), we want to get to Africa.

“When we have somebody from Spain, we want to get into Spain. Georgia, yes – the answer is yes. We haven’t looked into that yet or what it would take to pull off an event near there.

“We’re still trying to figure out Spain with the arena situation. But when you look at the performance that Topuria had tonight, we need to get to Spain and figure it out. If we have to (go to a stadium), we will. I’d prefer not to. All the arenas were booked up. We’re trying to figure it out. But if I have to go to a stadium (for Topuria in Spain), we will” [Ht MMA Junkie]