Ilia Topuria explains why, at UFC 308, he'll succeed where Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, and Justin Gaethje fell short against Max Holloway

Ilia Topuria punctuated the UFC 308 pre-fight press conference with a bold claim. According to him, he'll accomplish what Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, and Justin Gaethje all failed to against Max Holloway by knocking the Hawaiian great unconscious.

It is a claim he has made several times over, prompting a reporter at the press conference to ask why Topuria was so confident that he would be the one to knock Holloway out, particularly as 'Blessed' is known for his durability and granite chin.

However, the featherweight champion's answer to the question was simple.

"Not one of them have the power that I have in my hands. Not one of them have the skills that I have."

Check out Ilia Topuria explaining why he's primed to stop Max Holloway (16:24):

Even the likes of Nate Diaz can't claim to have the same toughness as 'Blessed.' Diaz has been knocked down multiple times throughout his career, and stopped twice. Holloway, meanwhile, has never been stopped via strikes, and it is even debatable if he was dropped by Gaethje at UFC 300. Come Saturday, it is far more likely that the fight plays out in a fashion more competitive than either man expects.

---

Ilia Topuria also claimed he'd be the first one to submit Islam Makhachev

During Ilia Topuria's UFC 308 media day interview, he was asked about facing reigning lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, with whom he has been feuding. The featherweight champion claimed that if the two men ever cross swords, he will be the first fighter to submit him. He said:

"Before I used to make more predictions about that. I was like, 'I want to fight this one or that.' But at the end of the day, I want to do my job, which is to show up and fight, and we'll see what the UFC wants me to do. If they call me and they want to move up to the lightweight division, I will be okay with that. Move up and be the first guy to submit Islam Makhachev."

Check out Ilia Topuria predicting a hypothetical fight with Islam Makhachev (5:08):

That fight, however, seems well away for Topuria, who is gearing up to make his first featherweight title defense since capturing the belt.