"R*tarded a** reasoning" - Fans react to BTS footage of Cristiano Ronaldo predicting Max Holloway to be "tough" for Ilia Topuria 

Cristiano Ronaldo was counting on Max Holloway to get the job done against Ilia Topuria. Following 'El Matador's' KO win over 'Blessed', fans are having a field day with Ronaldo's failed prediction.

When 'CR7' linked up with Francis Ngannou and his coach Eric Nicksick ahead of 'The Predator's' MMA return against Renan Ferriera, the soccer star predicted Holloway would win.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner added that the Georgian-born Spaniard didn't show much against Alexander Volkanovski and knocked out the Australian only because 'The Great' hadn't recovered from his KO defeat to Islam Makhachev just a few months prior. Ronaldo said:

"[Topuria] didn't fight the top guys. If he beats Max, I will respect [him]. [Holloway has] never [been] KO'd. This is why [Holloway] will be tough for Topuria."

Check out Cristiano Ronaldo's prediction for Ilia Touria vs. Max Holloway below:

Suffice it to say, the former Real Madrid striker's comments didn't age well. Topuria shut Holloway's lights out in the third round at UFC 308, becoming the only man to KO the Hawaiian.

Watch Ilia Topuira KO Max Holloway below:

In the aftermath of the loss, fight fans made sure to call out 'CR7' on his bad pick.

One fan wrote:

"R*tarded a** reasoning."

Another commented:

"My GOAT is a casual."

One fan pointed out the irony behind the former Real Madrid man's prediction, writing:

"The King of Real Madrid was going for Max."

Check out more fan reactions below:

Screenshots courtesy @ChampRDS on X

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When Ilia Topuria claimed he'd eclipse Cristiano Ronaldo as the highest-paid athlete by 2025

Ilia Topuria's stardom in MMA has seen a meteoric rise following his win over Max Holloway at UFC 308. While 'El Matador' is eager to build his legacy, it seems monetary reasons are the primary driving factor for the 27-year-old.

In an interview with Webpositer earlier this year, the featherweight champion proclaimed that he'd be the top-paid athlete in the world by 2025. After the host made him aware that Cristiano Ronaldo, who bagged a sizeable $130 million in 2024, currently holds the spot, 'El Matador' doubled down, saying:

"In 2025, I'll be the highest paid athlete in the world... I'll be there, I have no doubt. I mean I'd be surprised if I didn't do it... I have no doubt really."

Check out Ilia Topuria's comments below: