Ilia Topuria doesn’t see any potential threats to his featherweight reign on the horizon.
Following a second-round knockout of Alexander Volkanovski earlier this yr, UFC 308 on October 26 in Abu Dhabi will probably be Topuria’s first try to defend the 145-pound crown when he meets former champion and reigning BMF titleholder Max Holloway.
Even earlier than Topuria’s bout with ‘Blessed’ was booked, he already had one other UFC champion calling him out. Reigning bantamweight king Sean O’Malley expressed curiosity in a superfight with ‘El Matador’ following his win over Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera earlier this yr.
Sadly for him, Dana White rapidly squashed any risk of that bout being subsequent, however Topuria remains to be greater than keen to oblige. Hell, he’ll combat each Holloway and O’Malley on the identical evening if given the chance.
“When he pronounce these form of issues like, ‘If I win,’ it’s as a result of he’s not very assured about himself,” Topuria instructed MMA Junkie. “To start with, he has a really powerful match up forward. If he does it, why not? Why not? I’d like to have that combat. It’s like, thanks, God. For everybody, it’s going to be so large.
“Like, ‘Ilia is preventing Max or he’s preventing Sean O’Malley.’ However in actuality, I do know that they each suck. I can do with them no matter I need to do. I can do it with each of them. I can beat them each in the identical evening. No downside” (h/t MMA Mania).
Ilia Topuria open to a transfer to 155
Topuria has gone 15-0 in his blended martial arts together with his victory over Volkanovski being the largest spotlight up to now. Alongside the best way, ‘El Matador’ has fought at light-weight, although he by no means deliberate on making the 155-pound crown considered one of his profession objectives.
After all, if the chance presents itself, it could be a proposal he can’t refuse.
“To be trustworthy, I might do it after the Volkanovski combat, however I made a decision to maintain preventing in 145 and to defend my belt,” Topuria stated. “Each time it comes, I will probably be prepared. After this one, after the combat with Max Holloway as soon as I knock him out, perhaps the UFC will name me and inform me that they need me to maneuver as much as 155, and I will probably be very proud of that call.
“If not, I’ll preserve defending my belt, preserve doing my job. If anybody needs to check himself, I will probably be there. In 145, 155, 170 … I don’t care. I’m a fighter, and I’m the most effective fighter on the earth. I’m not the common stage of fighter.
“I respect Makhachev. I do know what it takes to get inside that cage. I do know all of the sacrifices an individual has to make to go inside that Octagon. I respect him, however there’s ranges. I really feel I symbolize the brand new technology of blended martial arts. I convey a combat type that nobody has, and nobody had. I’m simply enhancing the sport. I’m simply the brand new face of the sport. It’s only a matter of time till everybody will understand this.”
