UFC Featherweight champion Ilia Topuria recently watched Max Holloway’s buzzer-beater KO win over Justin Gaethje to secure the BMF title, one of the most iconic moments in UFC history. Despite the viral finish and praise, Topuria seemed unimpressed by Holloway’s performance and was called out by him during the post-fight interview. There was immediate buzz about a potential return to featherweight for Holloway to challenge Topuria for the title. Before the KO win, Holloway referred to Topuria as “questionable” when asked about a potential fight.
Topuria responded on social media with a savagely eloquent ultimatum, stating that the only thing questionable about him is whether he would finish Holloway by KO or submission. He mentioned beating the fighter that had defeated Holloway three times, and emphasized that he no longer fights for money but for legacy. Topuria offered Brian Ortega as an alternative opponent for Holloway, a fighter he has beaten. This post further legitimizes Holloway’s BMF title victory and adds to the excitement surrounding a potential bout between the two fighters.
While Topuria initially indicated that he was not impressed by Holloway’s performance, he has now expressed a desire to challenge him for the title. It would be a dream scenario for the UFC to have Holloway face Topuria in Spain, the champion’s adopted home. However, Dana White has mentioned that the necessary elements for such an event are not currently in place, so it remains uncertain whether a fight of that magnitude could happen in the near future. The two fighters could potentially meet at the upcoming Sphere event on Sept. 14 at UFC 306.
Holloway was the featherweight champion for three years until he lost the title to Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 245. This defeat was the first of three losses Holloway suffered at the hands of Volkanovski. On the other hand, Topuria is coming off a stunning second-round KO win over Volkanovski to claim the featherweight title. Given the history between the fighters, recent events, and their schedules, a potential matchup between Topuria and Holloway could be the biggest fight the UFC can make for The Sphere event.
It is clear that Topuria values the BMF title and is focused on building his legacy as a champion. His desire to challenge Holloway for the featherweight title shows his confidence and determination to prove himself as the best in the division. The potential matchup between Topuria and Holloway has generated excitement among fans and the MMA community, as it could be a highly anticipated fight that showcases the talent and skill of both fighters. The UFC will be closely monitoring developments to see if a bout between Topuria and Holloway can be scheduled in the near future.
