The UFC featherweight division’s latest drama centers around three exceptional fighters with intertwined histories. Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway are set to duke it out in the main event at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi next weekend. Fresh off dethroning Alexander Volkanovski, he can’t wrap his head around his former opponent’s recent prediction as Volk picked ‘Blessed’ to win their upcoming clash.
Talking to KOlmenero, Topuria seemed genuinely confused about how Volkanovski would choose Holloway over him. He believed that this prediction stemmed from hope rather than facts.
“I don’t think he really believes that [Max will beat me]. It’s what he wants. Because it’s much easier to do a rematch with a guy you have beaten 3 times, than the one who’s knocked you out in 7 minutes…If I dominated you, if I knocked you out, how are you going to say a guy that beat you 3 times is going to beat me?”
The situation drips with irony. ‘The Great’ backed Max Holloway, a man he has beaten three times, over the fighter who knocked him out. Ilia Topuria saw through the strategy as he revealed Volkanovski’s hope of an easier comeback path.
The champion’s words carry extra weight, given his recent performance. He didn’t just beat Volkanovski, he made it look easy. Those were seven minutes of dominance that rewrote the division’s hierarchy and ushered in a new era for the featherweight division.
Ilia Topuria Believes Welterweight Belt To Be Easily Attainable With Belal Muhammad As The Champion
Some fighters chase one belt, but apparently, ‘El Matador‘ wants them all. Fresh off dethroning Volkanovski, he’s already eyeing bigger prizes. The featherweight champ hasn’t even defended his belt yet as he faces Max Holloway at UFC 308 next weekend.
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Talking to Shak MMA, Ilia Topuria fired shots at Belal Muhammad. He dismissed ‘Bully B’ as a “fake champion” and claimed he would be an easy fight after he was done with Max Holloway at UFC 308.
“Maybe after this one [I could] move up to the lightweight division, and if we still have that fake champion in the welterweight division, Belal, that’s an easy one for me.”
The weight jumps for this fight would be massive. Featherweight to welterweight spans 25 pounds. Moreover, Belal Muhammad is much bigger than Ilia Topuria in size and dimensions overall. In all likelihood, this fight would never materialize. But there is no tax in talking about it!
Also Read: Ilia Topuria Rates Fighters’ Tattoos: Conor McGregor Gets Mocked, Max Holloway Scores High
