Ilia Topuria recently shared his thoughts on a potential bout against Max Holloway, expressing his determination to achieve what no other fighter has managed so far.
“El Matador” was present at UFC 300 this past Saturday, witnessing Max Holloway’s sensational last-second knockout victory over Justin Gaethje. Following this impressive performance, speculation immediately arose about a title fight between the reigning featherweight champion and the newly crowned “BMF” title holder.
During his appearance on today’s episode of The MMA Hour, Topuria directed a message to Holloway regarding their potential bout, emphasizing his vision of an early stoppage. He stated:
“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.”
Ilia Topuria shares a message for @BlessedMMA and plans a first or second round finish👀#TheMMAHour @arielhelwani pic.twitter.com/X3RjtAKN8y
— FightCrack (@FightCrack) April 17, 2024
Stipulation for Max Holloway
While anticipation builds for the featherweight title fight between Topuria and Holloway, the question arises of where and when the bout will materialize. There is speculation about whether the famous Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, Spain, could serve as the site for this highly anticipated matchup.
However, Topuria added a stipulation for the bout to become a reality. During his appearance, he insisted that Holloway put his newly acquired “BMF” title on the line.
Without this condition met, Topuria expressed his preference to face Alexander Volkanovski for a rematch, stating, “Without the ‘BMF’ belt, I don’t want him at all. If not, I’m gonna fight with ‘Volk’ because he deserves it more than him, the rematch.”
