Tag: ilia topuria

Ilia Topuria issues huge threat to Max Holloway ahead of future fight: ‘I will be the first to put you to sleep’

Ilia Topuria issues threat to Max Holloway I will be the first to put you to sleepIlia Topuria has fired back at BMF champion Max Holloway following his comments that the featherweight champion is questionable….

Ilia Topuria issues threat to Max Holloway I will be the first to put you to sleep

Ilia Topuria has fired back at BMF champion Max Holloway following his comments that the featherweight champion is questionable.

At UFC 300 media day, Holloway was asked about his thoughts against Topuria and he criticized the featherweight champ.

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Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

“Questionable. That’s it. Questionable. Everybody keeps asking me, what do I think of Topuria? He’s questionable. I’ll fight him. Go ask him that question. Ask him that question about me. At the end of the day, UFC, I always want to fight for the title, I always want to do this, a lot of contenders, they gave me a lot of up-and-coming contenders, and there’s one that didn’t come my way. You can ask UFC about that, you can ask him the question,” Holloway said at UFC 300 media day.

Following Holloway’s stunning fifth-round knockout over Justin Gaethje at UFC 300, Ilia Topuria took to social media to clap back at the Hawaiian and threaten to give the next title shot to Brian Ortega.

“The only thing questionable about me is whether I finish you by ko or submission.I just beat the guy that beat you not once, not twice, but 3 times. You now have the one thing that keeps you relevant and that would grant you a money fight, the BMF belt. I no longer fight for money but for legacy. Winning that belt while holding my title will cement me as the first,” Topuria wrote on X.

Holloway BMF title UFC 300
Mandatory Credit: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

“The first to hold both belts. The first to knock out Volk and what most certainly will happen when we fight, the first one to put you to sleep. Something to calm you down is this: God doesn’t shame anyone. You will have a worthy defeat against a champion who will be remembered for eternity. I decide who, when, and where. If you don’t like the terms I’m sure Ortega will oblige,” Ilia Topuria added

Ilia Topuria Eyes Return At The Sphere

With Ilia Topuria clapping back at Max Holloway, the hope for many fans is that the fight will happen next.

But, regardless of his next opponent, Topuria says he will likely be returning in September at The Sphere in Las Vegas.

Max Holloway mocks Ilia Topuria's demands for potential title fight: 'That’s kind of un-BMF'

“I think they want me to fight in The Sphere in September,” Topuria said on The MMAHour. “So we’ll see how they’re going to figure out the things. At the same time, we want to go in Spain. We want to bring the UFC here in the first trimester of the next year. That’s one of the reasons I want to fight in September [or] October, to be able to fight in the first trimester of the year.”

Topuria became the featherweight champ with a KO win over Alexander Volkanovski back in February.

Max Holloway mocks Ilia Topuria’s demands for potential title fight: ‘That’s kind of un-BMF’

Max Holloway mocks Ilia Topuria's demands for potential title fight: 'That’s kind of un-BMF'Max Holloway doesn’t think Ilia Topuria is acting like a true BMF. Following Holloway’s incredible buzzer-beating knockout of Justin…

Max Holloway mocks Ilia Topuria's demands for potential title fight: 'That’s kind of un-BMF'

Max Holloway doesn’t think Ilia Topuria is acting like a true BMF.

Following Holloway’s incredible buzzer-beating knockout of Justin Gaethje to win the UFC’s bragging rights belt on April 13, reigning featherweight champion Ilia Topuria opened the door for a potential clash between the two titleholders if — and only if — ‘Blessed’ puts his BMF title up for grabs

“Without the BMF belt [on the line], I don’t want him at all,” Topuria said on The MMA Hour. “If not, I’m gonna fight with Volk who deserves more than him, the rematch. Because he has that belt, I’m excited about that. That’s why I want him. He’s been saying, ‘Right now I have a lot of options.’ He doesn’t have any options. I’m the champion right now, I choose the date, I choose the place. He just has to be ready and wait for the call. Whenever I want him, he has to be ready.”

Responding to Topuria’s demand, Max Holloway questioned whether or not ‘El Matador’ was exhibiting the characteristics of a true BMF.

“That’s not a very ‘BMF’ way to say it,” Holloway told Jim Rome. “A ‘BMF’ wouldn’t say, ‘I’m not going to fight this guy unless …’ That’s kind of un-‘BMF.’ Doesn’t sound ‘BMF’ the way he’s trying to demand it and saying, ‘I’m not going to fight.’

“A ‘BMF’ fights whatever, fights whoever, whenever, any weight, any time, and that’s not a tone of a ‘BMF.’”

Staying true to the BMF way, Max Holloway is adamant that he’ll fight any man the UFC chooses to put in front of him, but a world title tussle with Ilia Topuria is at the top of his last.

Ilia Topuria open to a rematch with Alexander Volkanovski if Max Holloway Fight doesn’t happen

Topuria, on the other hand, did open the door to a potential rematch with Alexander Volkanovski, the man he took the featherweight strap from at UFC 298 in February.

Ilia Topuria

However, ‘El Matador’ has a great deal of respect for the former champ and wants ‘The Great’ to take plenty of time to rest and recover after suffering a pair of brutal back-to-back knockouts.

“Alexander Volkanovki’s been the world champ,” Topuria said. “He’s defended it six or seven times. He’s a pound-for-pound fighter. The most technical guy I’ve fought ever. There’s a reason he’s been a world champion, but I think he needs more time to recover. He fought at the end of the year and got knocked out [by Islam Makhachev]. 

“I knocked him out and if he doesn’t get the time to recover, he’ll get knocked out three times in one year, or something like that. I just want the best for him. I want the best version of Volkanovski.”

Ilia Topuria
Ilia Topuria
Ilia Topuria

Ilia Topuria demands Max Holloway put his BMF belt on the line in proposed UFC featherweight title fight

Ilia Topuria demands Max Holloway put his BMF belt on the line in proposed featherweight title fightIf it’s not for the BMF title, Ilia Topuria has no interest in fighting Max Holloway. ‘Blessed’ delivered one…

Ilia Topuria demands Max Holloway put his BMF belt on the line in proposed featherweight title fight

If it’s not for the BMF title, Ilia Topuria has no interest in fighting Max Holloway.

‘Blessed’ delivered one of the greatest knockouts in UFC history at the promotion’s landmark event in Las Vegas over the weekend, dispatching lightweight fan favorite Justin Gaethje with a booming overhand right to claim the bragging rights belt.

Max Holloway KOs Justin Gaethje

Needless to say, Holloway’s insane buzzer-beater sent the 20,000 fans inside T-Mobile Arena into an absolute frenzy. Well, everyone except Topuria who looked like he’d just seen a ghost who introduced him to his future.

Ilia Topuria reacts to Holloway's KO

Immediately following the victory, fans flocked to social media demanding that Max Holloway be the first man to challenge Ilia Topuria for the featherweight title.

During an appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Topuria was open to the idea of fighting Holloway — a complete 180 from where he stood two months ago — but only on the condition that ‘Blessed’ puts his new belt up for grabs.

“Without the BMF belt [on the line], I don’t want him at all,” Topuria said. “If not, I’m gonna fight with Volk who deserves more than him, the rematch. Because he has that belt, I’m excited about that. That’s why I want him.

“He’s been saying, ‘Right now I have a lot of options.’ He doesn’t have any options. I’m the champion right now, I choose the date, I choose the place. He just has to be ready and wait for the call. Whenever I want him, he has to be ready.”

Ilia Topuria

A chance to win the BMF title has Ilia Topuria Changing his tune

Sitting on a perfect 15-0 record in MMA, ‘El Matador’ is only eight weeks removed from his stunning second-round knockout of Alexander Volkanvoski to claim the 145-pound crown at UFC 298. Even before winning the title, Topuria made it clear that he would “never” defend the belt against some of the division’s biggest names.

“Max, Yair (Rodriguez), Brian Ortega, all of them, they can go and retire. I’m never going to give them the chance to fight for the title – never,” he said in a prior interview with Helwani.

With something more to gain, it appears that Ilia Topuria has reversed his statement — at least when it comes to Holloway.

Max Holloway challenged by ex-NFL star Chad Ochocinco following UFC 300 win: ‘I’ll thump his chin’

MixCollage 15 Apr 2024 01 06 PM 3651Former NFL wide receiver Chad Ochocinco wants to test himself against Max Holloway. ‘Blessed’ has been the talk of…

MixCollage 15 Apr 2024 01 06 PM 3651

Former NFL wide receiver Chad Ochocinco wants to test himself against Max Holloway.

‘Blessed’ has been the talk of the town ever since his epic buzzer-beating knockout of Justin Gaethje to capture the BMF title at UFC 300 on Saturday night.

Max Holloway KOs Gaethje

During a recent episode of his Night Cap podcast with Shannon Sharpe, Ochocinco — real name Chad Johnson — asked his co-host, “If I was to fight Max, when you think he would beat me in the Octagon?”

Sharpe immediately responded suggesting it would take Holloway no more than 30 seconds to put Ochocinco to sleep.

“Max Holloway, if you see this… If you have any time during your break before your next fight, let’s spar,” Ochocinco said. “Let’s get some footage. I just want to show Uncle Sharpe that I ain’t with the bullsh*t. Congratulations, but please.”

When Sharpe tried to explain that there are levels to the game of MMA, like any sport, Ochocinco doubled down on his challenge to the former featherweight champion.

“Man, I’ll thump Max Holloway’s chin,” Ochocinco added. “Don’t be playin’ me like that. I’m out the city. What you talking about? I’m built for that.

During his decade-long career in the NFL, Ochocinco was a six-time Pro Bowl selection and is a member of the elite 10,000 Receiving Yards Club. In 2021, he competed on the Floyd Mayweather vs. Logan Paul undercard, going the distance in a four-round exhibition boxing match with Brian Maxwell.

Max Holloway Responds to ilia topuria’s ‘back of the line’ comment

After scoring one of the wildest knockouts in UFC history, Max Holloway is primed for a shot at newly minted featherweight titleholder, Ilia Topuria. After seeing ‘Blessed’ turn ‘The Highlight’ into a highlight, Topuria told ESPN Deportes:

“It’s clear for me, my next fight is against Max Holloway. Congratulations and enjoy tonight, but after fighting me he will have to go back in the line.”

Getting wind of Topuria’s comment, Holloway offered his response during an appearance at the UFC 300 post-fight press conference.

“That’s cool,” Holloway said at the evening’s post-fight presser when told of Topuria’s response. “What am I going to say? What if he goes to the back of the line? So at the end of the day, we find out. Like I said, we’ve got questions. We’re in the fighting game. Ilia can talk, but I’ve got a lot of questions. I like listening and if that ever gets booked, you guys are going to see a lot of answers. So I’m excited for it.”

Max Holloway at UFC 300
Max Holloway

Ilia Topuria vows to become first to KO Max Holloway ahead of future title fight: ‘I will take your lights out’

Ilia Topuria vows to be the first to KO Max Holloway I will take your lights out UFC 300Ilia Topuria believes he will be the first person to KO Max Holloway in a potential fight. Holloway scored…

Ilia Topuria vows to be the first to KO Max Holloway I will take your lights out UFC 300

Ilia Topuria believes he will be the first person to KO Max Holloway in a potential fight.

Holloway scored a highlight-reel knockout win over Justin Gaethje to win the BMF title at UFC 300. It was a great performance from the Hawaiian who was the underdog and many were counting out. However, Holloway proved the doubters wrong and now could return to featherweight to face Ilia Topuria for the belt.

Max Holloway

If that fight does happen next, Topuria is confident he won’t just win but will be the first person to KO Holloway.

“Congrats on your performance Max . Respect your story and everything you achieved with a beautiful family . Hopefully we gonna share the octagon before the end of the year and trust me you gonna feel something that you never felt before . I will be the first one to take your lights out . Philippians 4:13,” Topruia wrote.

Ilia Topuria opens as betting favorite to beat Alexander Volkanovski in rematch after UFC 298
Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

After Holloway’s performance at UFC 300, fans are now excited for his potential fight against Topuria. Whether or not Holloway will get the next title shot is uncertain, however.

Ilia Topuria Calls Max Holloway’s Win ‘Nothing Special’

Although Max Holloway scored a highlight-reel KO win over Justin Gaethje, Ilia Topuria was not impressed by his performance.

Instead, Topruia thinks it was nothing special and the performance only made the featherweight champ more confident in a potential bout.

“Well, it was good. Nothing special to be honest,” Topuria said to ESPN Deportes’ Carlos Contreras Legaspi (h/t MMAFighting). “The ending was only an exchange of punches without any strategy. Both just throwing punches. Zero defense, hands down, and that kind of things can happen but that is something that would never happen with me because I think inside the octagon.

“[Holloway] was talking a lot during the week. It’s normal. It is what he has to do. He needs to believe he is the best. There is no other way in this sport. But the results are clear. I did in nine minutes [to Volkanosvki] what he was not able to do in 90 minutes. So, he can say whatever he wants, enjoy now, and get ready for what’s coming. He can do whatever he wants. He won’t be able to change that.”

Max Holloway welcomes rematch with Conor McGregor for BMF belt after UFC 300 we got options
Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas – USA TODAY Sports

Topuria won the featherweight title back in February with a KO win over Alexander Volkanovski.

Ilia Topuria left unimpressed by Max Holloway’s win at UFC 300: ‘He will have to go back in the line’

Ilia Topuria left unimpressed by Max Holloway after UFC 300 win he will have to go back in lineIlia Topuria is ready to accept Max Holloway’s challenge but claims it won’t be much of a challenge at…

Ilia Topuria left unimpressed by Max Holloway after UFC 300 win he will have to go back in line

Ilia Topuria is ready to accept Max Holloway’s challenge but claims it won’t be much of a challenge at all. He plans on defeating Holloway and sending him to the “back of the line” in terms of featherweight title contention.

Such a thing is very bold to say, considering Holloway’s prowess at 145lbs and his recent exploits in his fight with Justin Gaethje at UFC 300. In case you hadn’t heard, Holloway moved up to 155lbs for the second time in his career to face Gaethje for the BMF title.

Max Holloway welcomes rematch with Conor McGregor for BMF belt after UFC 300 we got options
Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas – USA TODAY Sports

Gaethje and Holloway battled it out for five rounds, with ‘Blessed’ landing a stunning knockout over Gaethje with just three seconds left in the final round. Now, Holloway stands on top of the world, and as he’s said: “We got options.”

Ilia Topuria is ready to face Max Holloway

Making good on his previous plans, Holloway was successful in his battle with Gaethje and made good on his word to call out Ilia Topuria after the fight.

Max Holloway wins BMF title stops Justin Gaethje with face plant buzzer beating KO UFC 300 highlights
Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

Topuria has now accepted this challenge but has some very bold words for the title challenger, claiming that he is excited to send Holloway back to the bottom of the totem pole.

Holloway BMF title UFC 300
Mandatory Credit Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

“It’s clear to me that my next fight is against Max Holloway,” Ilia Topuria told ESPN Deportes. “Congratulations, and enjoy tonight, but after fighting me, he will have to go back in the line”

Currently undefeated and riding a 7-0 streak in the UFC, Topuria claimed the throne with a spectacular victory over Alexander Volkanovski. Upon his ascent up the ranks, though, Topuria never had to test himself against Holloway. It will surely be his biggest challenge since Volkanovski himself, and certainly a frightening endeavor, considering how great ‘Blessed’ looked at UFC 300.

Do you think Ilia Topuria defeats Max Holloway?