Ilia Topuria would rather face Brian Ortega than Max Holloway in his first featherweight title defense.
Many thought that Alexander Volkanovski's reign was over and Holloway's title chances improved with his current three-fight fight, which included the “KO of the Century” over then No. 2 lightweight Justin Gaethje at UFC 300. . “El Matador” has other plans. Ortega cites it as his favorite fight. His reasoning? Holloway will not put the BMF title on the line.
“you [Holloway] is a BMF champion,” Topuria told Webpositor on April 30. “You have a chance for the title. …. put [BMF] belt during the match. What I said was that if he doesn't put the BMF title on the line, he's not going to fight him. And Max was like, “That's not how a real BMF claims a title.”I want you to come and put this belt on the table, but you don't want to put yours. [down]? ”
Topuria listed other candidates who could fight if Holloway rejects the terms.
“I would give Volkanovski a rematch first,” Topuria explained. “Before that, I was supposed to fight Brian Ortega, and Ortega came much closer to finishing Volkanovski in one fight than Max did in three fights.”
Brian Ortega came close to finishing Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 266
Gary A. Vasquez – USA TODAY Sports
'I'm ready': Brian Ortega calls for Spain showdown with Ilia Topria
“Let's play in Spain,” Ortega told Overdogs on April 25.[ Topuria] Volkanovski doesn't take the fight – because he knows he's waiting there. If he says no to them trying to rush the fight, the UFC has a guy here and I'm sharp and ready.
According to UFC commentator Joe Rogan, Ortega might just have gotten lucky. Topria reportedly turned down a rematch with Volkanovski at UFC 305.
“I don't know who he is. [Topuria] “I want to fight next,” Logan revealed on the podcast. “But I think he feels he's the champion and he can decide the fight. I know he turned down the Perth fight, the 305 fight, the Volkanovski rematch.”
Despite the buzz surrounding Topuria's next fight, his title reign is still young (3 months at the time of writing). 'El Matador' is picking his shots now that he has the belt in his hands, and fans will have to wait and see if he makes a crowd-pleasing decision.
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