Ilia Topuria beat many contenders on his way to the Featherweight championship title. He beat Alexander Volkanovski earlier this year to take home the UFC gold. He is still on the lookout for his next fight for his first title defense in the company. Topuria might have found his next dance partner after witnessing last weekend’s UFC 300 BMF bout. Topuria talked about Max’s knockout victory and gave his take on Max’s fighting style.
Ilia has fought and beaten almost every major fighter in the featherweight division of the UFC but is yet to take on the former champion Max Holloway who many believe is the best featherweight of all time.
Ilia Topuria on Max Holloway’s fighting style
Ilia Topuria beat out Alexander Volkanovski when he knocked him out in the second round of their bout, hitting him with a lethal combination. Topuria uses a boxing-heavy approach inside of the octagon. So does Max Holloway, as he knocked out Justin Gaethje in the second round of their fight. Topuria witnessed the bout live from the stands as he was shell-shocked after Max’s bout. In an interview recently,
Well, it was good. Nothing special to be honest,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. I know people will come at me for saying this. This is what I think. I don’t see anything special. He is basic. Too basic. That’s what I see.
Ilia Topuria clarified that the knockout happened because both fighters were reckless, not technical. Topuria emphasized that he is never reckless inside the octagon and always takes heavy precautions during his bouts. Topuria also claimed he wants to fight the former champion before the year ends and vows to finish him before the bell rings. He described Max’s fight style as basic and nothing special.
The fans will disagree as they know Max has taken down many established fighters, even some of the all-time greats, with his elite striking. It will be interesting to see if the duo actually fight in the octagon. Topuria is currently the best featherweight in the world, and Max would love to get that title back in the near future. Holloway and Topuria are two of the most interesting fighters in the UFC, and it will be an absolute delight to witness them fight each other.
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