Tag: ilia topuria

UFC 308 Backup Diego Lopes Hopes He Isn’t Needed For Main Event Between Topuria & Holloway

Following his decisive win over Brian Ortega at UFC 306, Diego Lopes called to be the backup fighter in Abu Dhabi this weekend. In the main event, Ilia Topuria puts his featherweight title on the line for the first time at UFC 308 when he takes on the former champion, Max Holloway. It’s undoubtedly one […]

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Following his decisive win over Brian Ortega at UFC 306, Diego Lopes called to be the backup fighter in Abu Dhabi this weekend. In the main event, Ilia Topuria puts his featherweight title on the line for the first time at UFC 308 when he takes on the former champion, Max Holloway.

It’s undoubtedly one of the biggest fights of the year so having another top contender on location and ready to make weight just in case is always a great plan B to have in the back pocket. This is especially true when you have someone like Lopes who as we saw earlier this year at UFC 303, is always down to step in there and fight whatever the circumstances are.

The Brazilian is currently riding a five-fight win streak so is seemingly just one win away from earning his title shot but in the case that something unfortunate happens, that could come as soon as just three days time.

However, despite calling for and receiving this opportunity, Lopes doesn’t have his fingers crossed that one man has to withdraw so that he can fight for the title on October 26. Just like all the fight fans around the world, the #3-ranked contender is stoked to watch this incredible match-up take place at the Etihad Arena.

He spoke in an interview with MMA Junkie that though he’s taking all the steps that he needs to take during fight week, he’s excited to watch it go down on Saturday night even if he isn’t involved.

“I’m waiting for everything bro but I’m so excited too to watch the fight. I hope on Friday morning, everything is okay, the guys stay healthy for the fight on Saturday night. I’m so excited for this fight.”

Lopes followed up, stating that though he wants to watch that fight take place this weekend, that will not get in the way of him taking the fight if the UFC pick up the phone.

“Yeah, I hope it is. I hope it is but if UFC need me, I’m waiting.”

Continue Reading UFC 308 Backup Diego Lopes Hopes He Isn’t Needed For Main Event Between Topuria & Holloway at MMA News.

Max Holloway Teases Interest In Facing UFC Champ Islam Makhachev

Max Holloway may still have unfinished business to settle in the UFC’s lightweight division. Holloway is gearing up to challenge reigning featherweight champion Ilia Topuria in the main event of UFC 308, set to take place this Saturday at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Holloway stunned the MMA world with a […]

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Max Holloway may still have unfinished business to settle in the UFC’s lightweight division.

Holloway is gearing up to challenge reigning featherweight champion Ilia Topuria in the main event of UFC 308, set to take place this Saturday at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Holloway stunned the MMA world with a last-second knockout of Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 in April, making a strong argument for a shot at the lightweight title. However, divisional champion Islam Makhachev hadn’t considered the new BMF titleholder as a potential challenger at the time.

That said, Makhachev seems open to the idea — if “Blessed” can convincingly take down Topuria in their upcoming bout.

During a recent interview with Demetrious Johnson, Holloway discussed his choice to return to the featherweight division following his victory over Gaethje. The Hawaiian revealed that his return to 145 pounds might be a short-term decision and that he could potentially face Makhachev next year.

“Blessed” stated that going up against Makhachev would be akin to facing UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov, calling it a significant opportunity that could further elevate his already storied career.

Makhachev is riding high after his third successful lightweight title defense, having secured a submission victory over Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 in June. The Dagestani is anticipated to face Arman Tsarukyan, likely at UFC 311 next year, although no official announcement has been made by the promotion as of yet.

Continue Reading Max Holloway Teases Interest In Facing UFC Champ Islam Makhachev at MMA News.

UFC Legend Believes Topuria Is Messing With ‘The Ego’ Of Holloway Ahead Of UFC 308

Ilia Topuria has been fervently indulging in trash talk with Max Holloway ahead of their bout, and a UFC Hall of Famer suggests that it might all be part of a clever strategy. Topuria is set to make the first defense of his featherweight title against Holloway in the main event of UFC 308, scheduled […]

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Ilia Topuria has been fervently indulging in trash talk with Max Holloway ahead of their bout, and a UFC Hall of Famer suggests that it might all be part of a clever strategy.

Topuria is set to make the first defense of his featherweight title against Holloway in the main event of UFC 308, scheduled for this Saturday at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

In the lead-up to his upcoming fight, “El Matador” has confidently labeled Holloway as an easy opponent, vowing to be the first fighter to knock out “Blessed.” He has even predicted an early finish, suggesting that if they start trading punches within the first 10 seconds of the opening round, it will be lights out for Holloway.

However, Michael Bisping contends that Topuria’s words go beyond mere banter; they constitute a psychological strategy to coax Holloway into a style of fighting that could heavily favor the undefeated Spaniard.

“The Count” went on to acknowledge that while both fighters are highly skilled, he believes Topuria holds the upper hand with his explosive striking. He added that “El Matador” is cleverly toying with the Hawaiian’s pride by persistently downplaying his abilities.

Topuria secured a knockout victory over Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 294 in February, capturing the featherweight belt. He has delivered four knockouts in his seven UFC appearances to date.

Meanwhile, “Blessed” is riding high off a last-second knockout win over Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 in April, securing the BMF title. Saturday night will mark Holloway’s third shot at reclaiming the 145-pound crown.

Continue Reading UFC Legend Believes Topuria Is Messing With ‘The Ego’ Of Holloway Ahead Of UFC 308 at MMA News.

Ilia Topuria Gets Personal During Online Spat With Fellow UFC Champ Belal Muhammad

UFC Featherweight Champion Ilia Topuria has plenty of foes in MMA’s leading promotion, and it appears another titleholder in Belal Muhammad just joined the list. Topuria completed his ascent to the mountaintop at 145 pounds this past March, knocking out all-time great Alexander Volkanovski to extend his perfect promotional and professional records in violent fashion. […]

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UFC Featherweight Champion Ilia Topuria has plenty of foes in MMA’s leading promotion, and it appears another titleholder in Belal Muhammad just joined the list.

Topuria completed his ascent to the mountaintop at 145 pounds this past March, knocking out all-time great Alexander Volkanovski to extend his perfect promotional and professional records in violent fashion.

The Georgian-Spaniard marked the third new divisional champion of the year, and the fourth came five months later when Muhammad unseated Leon Edwards from the welterweight throne in Manchester, England.

But while they both joined the champs’ club in 2024, the two haven’t exactly been bonding over their newfound title glory…

Topuria Mocks Muhammad After ‘Fake BMF Belt’ Jibe

A video recently surfaced on social media showing Topuria backing Shavkat Rakhmonov to defeat Muhammad. The pair were recently confirmed as the headliners for the UFC 310 pay-per-view in Las Vegas this December.

“Remember the Name” didn’t take too kindly to the prediction, mocking his featherweight counterpart for purchasing his own BMF belt ahead of his showdown with the symbolic title’s current owner, Max Holloway, at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi later this month.

That caused a back and forth between the pair, with “El Matador” taking aim at Muhammad’s UFC record and personal life alongside a video of him in the aftermath of an eye poke against Edwards back in 2021.

“NO FINISHES NO KNOCKOUTS NO KNOCKDOWNS NO GIRLFRIEND NO KIDS BELAL HAS NEVER FINISHED ANY MAN OR WOMAN”

Muhammad hit back by accusing Topuria of copying well-known “memes” instead of coming up with his own retorts.

“Now ur just copying stuff word for word off memes,” Muhammad responded.

While his heated exchanges with Holloway will soon be settled inside the Octagon — and disagreements with the likes of Sean O’Malley could be down the line — the gulf in weight between Topuria and Muhammad means this battle will likely remain in the internet realm.

Continue Reading Ilia Topuria Gets Personal During Online Spat With Fellow UFC Champ Belal Muhammad at MMA News.

VIDEO: Ilia Topuria & Max Holloway Trade Barbs In Face-To-Face Interview Ahead Of UFC 308

The build-up to the UFC’s annual October pay-per-view event in Abu Dhabi has picked up with a face-to-face interview between its two headliners. The promotion will be back in the Middle East for the third time this year, and back inside the Etihad Arena just over two months on from UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. […]

Continue Reading VIDEO: Ilia Topuria & Max Holloway Trade Barbs In Face-To-Face Interview Ahead Of UFC 308 at MMA News.

The build-up to the UFC’s annual October pay-per-view event in Abu Dhabi has picked up with a face-to-face interview between its two headliners.

The promotion will be back in the Middle East for the third time this year, and back inside the Etihad Arena just over two months on from UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov being staged at the venue.

This time, the Abu Dhabi crowd will be treated to championship stakes and one of the most highly anticipated fights of 2024 thus far, as featherweight kingpin Ilia Topuria puts his gold on the line opposite legend Max Holloway.

Topuria, Holloway Verbally Spar Pre-UFC 308

In the months leading up to UFC 308, the pair set to collide in the main event have gone back and forth on social media and during their respective interviews.

And that trend continued weeks out from the Oct. 26 event, as “El Matador” and “Blessed” joined UFC commentator Brendan Fitzgerald for a virtual face-to-face interaction.

Fitzgerald wasn’t required too often, with Topuria and Holloway frequently abandoning questions to trade barbs at one another.

On the champ’s side, the Georgian-Spaniard dismissed Holloway’s boxing credentials and gave a critical review of his UFC 300 win over Justin Gaethje, branding the fight “boring” and the last-second knockout absent of technique.

Holloway’s rebuttals remained consistent throughout: we’ll see what happens on Oct. 26.

Continue Reading VIDEO: Ilia Topuria & Max Holloway Trade Barbs In Face-To-Face Interview Ahead Of UFC 308 at MMA News.

MMA Analyst Dismisses Ilia Topuria’s Champ-Champ Aspirations

Ilia Topuria’s ambitions to compete in a potential ‘champ vs. champ’ showdown have intensified in recent weeks, but a popular MMA analyst doesn’t think now is the time for such a matchup. “El Matador” has continually expressed his eagerness to ascend a division and challenge the reigning UFC lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev, in an exciting […]

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Ilia Topuria’s ambitions to compete in a potential ‘champ vs. champ’ showdown have intensified in recent weeks, but a popular MMA analyst doesn’t think now is the time for such a matchup.

“El Matador” has continually expressed his eagerness to ascend a division and challenge the reigning UFC lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev, in an exciting fight. However, before Topuria looks ahead, he is poised to make the first defense of his featherweight title against Max Holloway in the main event of UFC 308, scheduled for October 26 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Topuria’s excitement was palpable during a recent live stream on Instagram, where he enthusiastically answered a fan’s question about his ability to defeat Makhachev. The 27-year-old Spaniard confidently asserted that he could easily overcome Makhachev, stating that it would be the fight he would pursue after handling Holloway.

However, Josh Thomson contends that “El Matador” is overly ambitious and should first concentrate on facing challengers in the 145-pound division…

Thompson Advises Topuria To Focus On Featherweight Before Considering Move-Up

During a recent episode of the WEIGHING IN podcast, “Punk” delved into Topuria’s thoughts on moving up to the 155-pound division for a potential matchup with Makhachev. Thompson openly dismissed the featherweight champion’s ambitions, urging him to prioritize defending his title against Holloway first.

“Younger guys like Ilia Topuria going, ‘Oh yeah, I’m going to fight so and so up here,’” Thomson said. “I’m like, dude, you haven’t defended your title one time. You beat the guy coming off of a head-kick knockout. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. How about you defend it against Max, the fight I’m really excited for?”

Thompson further emphasized that Topuria should concentrate on solidifying his standing in the featherweight division before calling out others. He also mentioned that “El Matador” might be seeking these high-profile matchups primarily for social media popularity.

“Ilia Topuria needs to clear out the division. He’s fought a lot of guys in there, but there are still many opponents for him to face. He shouldn’t even be mentioning that; the UFC shouldn’t be entertaining that. This whole thing, I think, is about social media—swipe right, swipe left, up, down, real fast. I need self-gratification right now; that’s what they’re looking for: ‘what can I do to make the most money?’”

Topuria captured the 145-pound title with a stunning second-round knockout of former champion Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 in February. He remains undefeated in his seven Octagon appearances, with five of those victories coming by way of stoppage.

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