Conor McGregor recently shared his thoughts on a potential featherweight title fight involving Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway, and his remarks weren’t exactly complimentary towards the reigning champion. Despite Topuria’s impressive victory over Alexander Volkanovski to claim the championship at UFC 298, McGregor expressed disappointment with Topuria’s legitimacy as the 145-pound titleholder.
During a live stream on Duelbits, McGregor didn’t mince words when asked about Topuria, likening him to his longtime friend and training partner Artem Lobov in what some might perceive as a derogatory manner. McGregor showed little interest in Topuria’s aspirations and seemed unimpressed by his performance,
stating, “F**k him, too. I don’t give a f**k about him either. He reminds me of a little r*tard Artem Lobov. Topuria, [he] does, two little r*tards.”
Topuria has been vocal about his desire to face McGregor, but it seems McGregor is not reciprocating that enthusiasm. McGregor even questioned Topuria’s status as a legitimate champion, suggesting that Holloway would outclass him if they were to fight, emphasizing Holloway’s experience and skill set in the featherweight division.
Despite Topuria’s ambitions, McGregor ridiculed his assertion of becoming the world’s highest-paid athlete by 2025. McGregor, who held that title in 2021 according to Forbes Magazine, scoffed at Topuria’s misunderstanding about the timing of such lists, noting that the counting begins a year earlier than Topuria’s assumption.
McGregor’s comments reflect his characteristic brashness and confidence, but they also underscore his disinterest in a potential matchup with Topuria. Instead, McGregor is focused on his own comeback to the UFC, with a highly anticipated bout against Michael Chandler scheduled for UFC 303 after nearly three years away from the octagon.
While McGregor’s remarks may stir controversy, they add another layer of intrigue to the ongoing narrative surrounding the featherweight division and potential future matchups. Whether Topuria can prove his detractors wrong and solidify his status as a legitimate champion remains to be seen, but McGregor’s comments certainly won’t go unnoticed in the MMA community.
