Ilia Topuria recently weighed in on a potential bout against Max Holloway and vowed to do something that no other fighter has been able to do yet.
'El Matador' was in attendance at UFC 300 this past Saturday and witnessed 'Blessed's' incredible last-second knockout win over Justin Gaethje. Following the bout, the attention immediately shifted to a title fight between the reigning featherweight champion and the new 'BMF' title holder.
During his appearance on today's episode of The MMA Hour, Topuria directed a message to Holloway regarding their potential bout and mentioned that he envisions an early stoppage. He said:
"I will be thinking about the date, the place. And be ready and bring that energy that you had in the last 10 seconds and bring it in the first ten seconds, and do the same thing that you did but with me. Try that and trust me, I'm gonna put your lights out. I will be the first one...In the first or second round, I'm gonna finish him."
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Check out Ilia Topuria's comments on Max Holloway below:
It will be interesting to see when the featherweight title fight between Topuria and Holloway will materialize and whether the famous Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, Spain could be the site.
Ilia Topuria provides a stipulation for Max Holloway to earn a featherweight title shot
It appears as though Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway is likely the next featherweight title fight to materialize. However, the champion recently provided a stipulation for it to become a reality.
During the aforementioned appearance, Topuria insisted that Holloway needs to also put his newly won 'BMF' title up if he wants a title shot or he noted that he'll move on. He said:
"Yeah, of course [the 'BMF' title would have to be on the line]. Without the 'BMF' belt, I don't want him at all. If not, I'm gonna fight with 'Volk' [Alexander Volkanovski] because [he] deserves it more than him [Holloway], the rematch."
Check out the full video below: