Max Holloway was the “BMF” champion. Ilia Topuria knocked him out. So Topuria is the BMF champion now, proper?
Apparently it’s not that straightforward, as Topuria’s unbelievable knockout of Holloway within the UFC 308 primary occasion solely secured Topuria’s featherweight championship. Holloway gained the BMF title with a fifth-round KO of Justin Gaethje this previous April, however UFC CEO Dana White by no means said that Holloway’s title was on the road Saturday. White later instructed reporters Holloway remains to be the BMF even after the loss.
None of that stopped Topuria from parading round with two titles after beating Holloway, which “Blessed” was requested about on the night’s post-fight press convention.
“Might you think about [lightweight champion] Islam [Makhachev] strolling round with two belts after knocking out [featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski]?” Holloway stated. “Let that sink in. The belt was in a distinct weight class for a distinct motive. I believe the followers make it occur, if the UFC actually wished to make it occur they’d have put it up, however Dana stated what he stated, so he’s the boss man.”
Topuria was additionally requested why he was waltzing round with the BMF title along with his UFC title and he puzzled why it wasn’t up for grabs within the first place.
“I by no means perceive why they didn’t put the BMF belt on the road,” Topuria stated. “It needs to be on the road for the reason that first day, however they don’t wish to make it official, I’m going to make it official on my own.”
“It’s going to be somewhat bit bizarre for them to advertise him as a BMF, however is what it’s, no downside,” he added. “I’m going to maintain it in my home. … Now, I’m the brand new baddest motherf*cker world champion.”
Previous to combating Holloway, Topuria instructed he might problem for titles in a number of divisions, concentrating on bouts with welterweight champion Belal Muhammad and light-weight champion Islam Makhachev.
Holloway was requested if he thought Topuria might get Islam subsequent, however he nonetheless sees choices at 145 kilos for Topuria.
“I don’t know,” Holloway stated. “I noticed Dana White discuss it, Dana White stated that Ilia obtained a number of contenders right here, so we see what occurs. Sure conditions come up for sure fighters due to sure workload that they do, so on the finish of the day if he will get it that’s cool, however most likely not. He has Volk and Diego [Lopes] ramming down the door proper now, so I believe they could hold him down there.”
“It’s exhausting to go towards Islam,” Holloway stated when requested to judge the potential matchup. “His combating type is a tricky one. He likes wrestling, he likes putting now, he’s falling in love along with his putting, so it’s exhausting to win towards Islam.”
