Topuria focused on one opponent: who does the UFC champion want to face next?
The Spanish-Georgian star talked to AS in his film presentation ‘Topuria: Matador’ and talked about his next fight.
Ilia Topuria still has no date to make his first featherweight title defense. At the presentation of his new film ‘Topuria: Matador’, which will be released on September 19, the Spanish-Georgian spoke to AS about his future.
Topuria became one of the biggest UFC stars by knocking out Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 and becoming the feather king. Moreover, he’s still undefeated (15-0) and, like Conor McGregor used to do, he’s backing all his pre-fight predictions with impressive performances.
The charismatic fighter, who keeps training in his MMA gym Climent Club, is waiting to return to the octagon as soon as possible. Quite a few opponents are calling him out for a battle, but only one fighter seems to interest Topuria.
Topuria reveals which UFC star he wants to fight
Asked about who he’s planning to take on next, Topuria didn’t hesitate, he wants Max Holloway, who he considers to be the most popular fighter and current BMF champion.
“The only thing I know is that I am preparing to get that call anytime and jump back into the octagon,” he said.
It seemed that El Matador’s first title defense would be on September 14 at The Sphere, in Las Vegas, against Holloway.
“At first it was confirmed I was going to fight in the Sphere. Then, I was informed that Max Holloway had some family issues, that he couldn’t lose weight because he wanted to move up to a heavier category...” Topuria explained.
The Hawaiian spectacularly knocked out Justin Gaethje in the last second of the fifth and last round at UFC 300 to win the BMF belt. After his brilliant victory, which Ilia saw from the front row, Holloway asked for a clash with him, and he accepted.
“I don’t know what the real version is. I don’t know if they are telling him the same thing as me, I don’t really know what is happening,” Topuria added.
Both fighters have already exchanged messages on social media, challenging each other, and it seemed that everything was done. Holloway was the featherweight champion between 2017 and 2019 until he faced Volkanovski.
Topuria took the title from the Australian by knocking him out in the second round, so a clash between ‘El Matador’ and Holloway would be like closing the circle.
“I have never chosen any of my rivals, it is always the UFC who decides. I have always asked for fights that made sense. When I asked to fight Volkanovski, it also made sense to him,” Topuria stated.
The Hawaiian is the second-ranked fighter in the featherweight division and the most attractive opponent for fans.
“We are going to see if any other name comes out, we will discuss it, we will analyze it... We will try to find enough reasons to do it or not. But, I don’t think any other fight makes more sense than the Holloway one,” he added.
When would Topuria return to the UFC octagon?
As it happens with the name of Topuria’s next opponent, the date and location are also up in the air. UFC 307 in Salt Lake City or UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi, both in October, are strong possibilities after the UFC 306 option seems to have vanished.
“I prefer Abu Dhabi because of the schedule, as it would be a similar time as in Spain. Everyone would have the chance to watch me fight me during normal hours in Europe, and that’s where my entire fanbase is really from,” Topuria admitted.
The Middle Eastern country’s schedule would make it easier for Spanish fans to watch the fight without being up late, but Topuria doesn’t rule out Las Vegas, the contact sports mythical city and any fighter’s dream.
“I love fighting in Las Vegas because it is always very special there, and it is a place that I am very fond of because it has given me so many moments that I always like to fight in Las Vegas,” he says.