UFC champ Ilia Topuria is set to battle Max Holloway at UFC 308, and both fighters have a lot to say to each other before stepping into the cage.
The two fighters had a heated virtual interview in anticipation of their upcoming fight in October, and Topuira promised to knock Holloway out.
“You will be lights out for the first time,” Topuria told Holloway via ESPN MMA. “Trust me. You’ll become an instant fan. An instant fan you will become.
“And you already know how it feels when you have to bounce back. You already have seven professional defeats. I have zero. So you’re going to do it once again, really well. I don’t have any doubts about that. You are a great example of that.”
Holloway found Topuira’s confidence laughable, as the fighter is also known for his endurance and impressive striking skills. Holloway has had an impressive MMA record and has only suffered defeat at the hands of Dustin Poirier. In his recent outing, Holloway knocked out Justin Gaethje at UFC 300.
Although the fighter applauds Topuria’s conviction, he believes he’s going to outwit the champ.
“I took a lot of people’s donuts, bro,” Holloway responded. “I hope you like churros, because you’re about to get one on Oct. 26, buddy.”
Although Holloway performed brilliantly in his fight with Gaethje, “El Matador” was unimpressed.
“Bro, I was so bored watching that fight,” Topuria said. “The only thing exciting about that fight was the last 10 seconds, to be honest. But I didn’t see any technique in that fight. I didn’t see any strategy. And, I didn’t see any f*cking thing. I just saw a bar fight, to be honest. It was very spectacular for the fans, but for me, as a professional, it was a – I don’t know. Not something very impressive.
“I challenge you to have that exchange in the first 10 seconds of the fight and you will see what’s going to happen. When you face a fighter like me inside the octagon, who brings that technique and that power, you can’t do that. I’m going to take your head off if you do that.”
Topuria’s confidence remains unwavering, as the fighter has faced and studied a plethora of tough opponents. His previous bout was against Volkanovski, and Topuria defeated the former champ to claim the championship title. “El Matador” dismissed Holloway’s comment and declared he would be the first person to knock out the former champ.
“Oct. 26, the only thing I’m going to do is take your lights out and then party with all my people, with all of my team,” Topuria said. “That’s what I’m going to do. And still. … I don’t have any doubts that I will be the first to knock you out, and I don’t even want you to trust in that because “ If you’re starting to trust in what I’m saying, you’re not going to show up. And I need you to show up [for] the fight.”
“ I’ll show up, bro. I show up every single time,” Holloway said. “You’ve been a fan for a long time. I show up every single damn time.”
