Ilia Topuria’s first protection of his featherweight title towards Max Holloway won’t include added incentives.
‘El Matador’ shocked the world when he put long-reigning champion Alexander Volkanovski to sleep within the second spherical final day trip. Since then, the Spaniard has been angling for a struggle towards Holloway and was eager about competing for the BMF title — although that now seems unlikely.
Whereas discussing his upcoming title protection, Ilia Topuria revealed that the BMF strap will not be up for grabs at UFC 308 on October 26.
“No, the BMF title isn’t going to be on the road,” Topuria confirmed. “To be trustworthy, I do not care.”
“They took that call and on the finish of the day, once I beat him, he can [remain] the BMF or [whatever] they need to name him.”
“I am simply concentrating on my title protection and that is it. I do not care about anything.”
Ilia Topuria confirms Max Holloway's BMF belt is NOT on the road at #UFC308 and guarantees "I’ll knock him out within the first spherical." 😳(through @MikeBohn) pic.twitter.com/q9rGW3pwzE
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) August 21, 2024
Topuria then doubled down on his perception that he’ll grow to be the primary to knock Max Holloway out.
“Little doubt about that. What makes me really feel very enthusiastic about that struggle is that nobody might knock him out.”
“There isn’t a means I am not going to knock him out. I would be the first one to knock him out as a result of each time I watch him struggle, I am like, I am means higher than him.”
“In the event you put me with him solely in kickboxing or boxing, even in a chess match, I beat him. No matter you need to do, boy, I beat you.”
Associated: Conor McGregor would not take into account Ilia Topuria a champion
Topuria went on to bash followers that consider Holloway is among the greatest boxers within the sport.
“They do not know something about boxing. They do not know something about combined martial arts. They do not know something.”
“Who gave you that opinion? Folks that do not prepare a day of their whole life. It is only a matter of time.”
“I respect Max Holloway. He is been an excellent fighter, he is given us nice fights. He appears to be a great particular person. I respect him however I really feel like I am means higher than him all over the place.”
“It may be an entire masterpiece. You will note. I’ll knock him out within the first spherical, there is no doubts about that.”
Watch the complete video under.
