UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria says he's not running from anyone.
2024 has been a literal movie-worthy year for “El Matador,” who won the UFC title with a second-round knockout from longtime champion Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298. Spain's Topuria has enjoyed the fruits of his labor with a victory tour of sorts and his own movie. Topria, Matador A book documenting his journey to the World Championships is due to be published later this year.
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But that's not all that awaits Topuria, as many fans are clamoring for a featherweight title fight between him and BMF champion Max Holloway, though that has yet to be confirmed.
Holloway is in top form and is fresh off the best performance of his career, defeating Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 to earn himself a spot in the “KO of the Year” list. Fresh off a knockout of the lightweight division's top contender, the former featherweight champion has plenty of options, but what Holloway is particularly interested in after this win is a shot at Topuria and his long-lost title.
As for his first title defense, Topulia said he is ready to fight anyone, anytime, assuming “Blessed” doesn’t want to fight right away.
“I think that's a question for Max Holloway,” Topuria said in Spanish when asked about his next fight at a press conference for his upcoming film ( Malka“All summer I was preparing for when they would set me up on a date and he was the one making all the excuses. First he had family commitments, then he was talking about his weight loss and he didn't want to fight me.”
“There are many people who have publicly stated that they want to fight me, so I invite them. If they are willing to take responsibility for their words… this is my job. I am always ready [the UFC] He will call me.”
Former champion Alexander Volkanovski is also an option for Topuria, while top contenders Brian Ortega and Movsar Evloev are also options if, for some reason, Holloway isn't Topuria's next fight.
As for where Topuria would like to fight next, the favorite for the Spanish UFC champion is a return later this year at UFC 308 on October 26 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
“I'd love to fight in Abu Dhabi,” Topuria continued. “If someone else is willing to take the fight, I hope so. If Las Vegas calls, I'm ready to go. If it's my preference, I'd fight in Abu Dhabi because of my schedule, so everyone in Spain can enjoy the fight during prime time in the country. But really, wherever they ask me to fight, I'm ready.”
UFC 306 in Las Vegas (Noche UFC) and UFC 307 in Salt Lake City still need main events and title bouts, so we'll have to wait and see which cards UFC works Topuria into.
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Not everyone is entirely convinced by Ilia Topuria's desire to fight Max Holloway, especially Paddy Pimblett, who has come close to fistfights with the current champion on a number of occasions, and believes it is Topuria who is “afraid” of Holloway, not the other way around.
“Hand Sanitizer Boys [Topuria] “I'm scared to go out there. I don't want to fight Max because I know what's going to happen,” Pimblett said recently. YouTube channel. “He fought [Alexander] “Volkanovski came back at the perfect time after getting knocked out about 10 weeks later. Honestly, he was lucky.”
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