How hard does Topuria really hit? Holloway has his say ahead of BMF title defense
At UFC 318 this weekend, Max Holloway faces Dustin Poirier in a trilogy fight that will see the Hawaiian defend his BMF title.
Fight night is fast approaching for Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier, who will headline UFC 318 in a blockbuster showdown for the coveted BMF title. The bout is scheduled for Saturday, July 19, at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT.
“Blessed” returns to the Octagon looking to bounce back from a tough loss to Ilia Topuria at UFC 308.
This time, he’s chasing history - aiming to become the first fighter ever to successfully defend the BMF belt, which he captured from Justin Gaethje at UFC 300.
“It’s history”
Holloway, who holds wins over elite names like Charles Oliveira, José Aldo and Gaethje, reflected on his recent performances and the significance of this trilogy-ending clash with Poirier.
“To be the first man to defend the BMF title, it’s history,” Holloway told UFC’s social media (via MMA Pros Pick). “I go out there, I get a finish, I get my hand raised, and I become the first man to get it done.”
In an interview with Stake, meanwhile, the Hawaiian took a moment to compare the power of his last two opponents - Gaethje and Topuria.
“The guy must hit hard”
“When I was in there, I did not feel like this guy [Topuria] hit so much harder,” Holloway said.
“But the guy must hit hard. Cause when you are hit hard, then your body does something that it is not used to. And then you think to yourself, what the hell?
“When I fought Gaethje, I felt some things. I felt that Gaethje hits hard and Gaethje kicks hard.
“When Ilia when he hit me, nothing was like, ‘oh man, he hits hard or whatever’. But you have to say that he hits hard because you see what happens to people when he touches them.”
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