Topuria’s plans in danger: Who could Holloway fight next?
The featherweight champion expected to face Max Holloway in his next fight, but everything could change after the UFC’s last cancelations.
Ilia Topuria has become one of the main faces in the UFC. The Spanish-Georgian undefeated fighter made history in the world’s biggest mixed martial arts promotion by viciously knocking out Alexander Volkanovski in the second round at UFC 298.
Although El Matador was regarded as one of the best and most dangerous contenders, that win over the Aussie fighter allowed him to clinch gold, as he won the featherweight title and has the chance of making more money when he steps into the octagon thanks to his champion status and popularity.
Topuria’s next opponent was expected to be Max Holloway, who won the BMF belt by recording one of the most impressive knockouts in UFC history against Justin Gaethje, a fight Blessed was winning and finished impressively in the very last seconds after a final stand-up battle between both men.
However, UFC 303 changed its plans due to Conor McGregor’s injury, who was expected to return to the cage almost three years after his last fight. After the official announcement, Michael Chandler saw the fight of his life fade, a battle he had been preparing for 18 months.
Chandler: from frustration to talking about UFC’s BMF belt
After his fight against McGregor was canceled, Chandler confirmed on social media he would attend UFC 303, even if he can’t put on the 4-ounce gloves:
“Your word is your bond. And if your word is no good then eventually you are no good. (I am) still going to UFC 303 much to the surprise of the UFC and everyone behind the scenes... It’s UFC 303 Alex Pereira vs Jiri Prochazka and just six days ago it was McGregor versus Chandler. It was my card. It was my card whenever I signed the bout agreement and signed my name on the paper that said I would be at UFC 303. I made a commitment and that commitment still stands.”
Those words came from a frustrated Chandler, who had spent hundreds of hours preparing for McGregor. However, a different Chandler appeared in the most recent hours and gave clues of potential changes in the UFC universe.
Over the last hours, Chandler confirmed he’s working on “big things”, and answered affirmatively to a tweet that mentioned a surprising and unexpected fight: Chandler vs. Holloway. Shortly after, Chandler posted two tweets with the BMF initials, a belt in possession of his potential Hawaiian rival.
UFC featherweight champion Topuria, on alert
Although the UFC didn’t comment on it, the former Bellator champion made it clear that a fight with Holloway is a possibility, something that would change the plans for Ilia Topuria’s first title defense, as the Spanish-Georgian undefeated fighter was expected to face the BMF champion in September at The Sphere, in Vegas.
Although there’s no specific information on Topuria’s fight date, if it’s still in September, it’s too little time for Holloway to schedule two fights, in two different categories.
That leaves two possibilities for El Matador: forgetting about his fight date against Holloway or facing another contender, who would surely be Movsar Evloev, although that’s something that only the future will resolve.