UFC fears McGregor-style Topuria walkout after Canelo vs. Crawford spectacle

Last weekend delivered one of those fights that stopped the boxing world in its tracks. A showdown that cost Turki Al-Sheikh over $230 millon to make happen: Canelo Álvarez (63-3-2, 39 KOs) versus Terence Crawford (42-0-0, 31 KOs). The fight captivated fans worldwide, not just boxing enthusiasts, as Ilia Topuria renewed his calls to make his professional boxing debut.

“We lost Conor McGregor after Mayweather”

Michael Chiesa, UFC fighter and MMA Junkie analyst, warned that Topuria could face the same risks. “We lost Conor McGregor after the fight against Floyd Mayweather,” he said. McGregor, the UFC’s biggest star, was one of the first fighters to cross over into boxing, taking on one of the sport’s all-time greats. The Irishman fell by TKO in the tenth round, marking Mayweather’s final official fight.

Topuria sets his sights on Crawford

The spark came when Topuria was photographed greeting Crawford. The Georgian-Spanish fighter had previously expressed interest in boxing and even mentioned Canelo as a potential opponent, as he is (or at least was) the face of the sport. But everything changed when Bud crossed his path, becoming Topuria’s new target. “I’d knock him out in the first round,” he wrote about a potential matchup. The rivalry escalated when Crawford entered the ring to Topuria’s entrance song, “El Mariachi.” Though he may deny it, it’s clear Crawford is seeking a confrontation.

Money and fame to drive boxing jump?

Financial incentives are a major factor. Top-tier boxers earn far more than UFC fighters, a point Francis Ngannou and others have criticized, claiming UFC pay doesn’t match revenue generated.

Boxing purses are massive. Fighters fall into three categories: low, middle, and top-tier. Low-tier fighters earn $10,000 to $30,000 per fight. Mid-tier fighters make $80,000 to $250,000. Top-tier boxers can earn $500,000 to $3 million, far outpacing UFC salaries.

While Crawford has fewer than three million Instagram followers, Topuria boasts nearly 12 million. “That’s not the point,” Chiesa said. “If Topuria goes there, it becomes part of the sport’s playbook. Anything can happen. Floyd was different from Crawford in that sense. I’m not saying Crawford can’t sell a fight, but Floyd was a master at it.”

UFC clings on to Topuria hope

“Bud” is not Mayweather, and Topuria is not McGregor. “That was unique. It was peak Conor McGregor trash talk. Hilarious. Topuria is entertaining, sure, but he doesn’t have Conor’s sharp tongue,” Chiesa explained.

A fight with the media frenzy and anticipation of Mayweather vs. McGregor is unlikely to be repeated. While Topuria is one of the UFC’s most-followed fighters and knows how to command attention, also a two-division UFC champion, Crawford faces more challenges despite being a top pound-for-pound fighter, a five-division world champion, and undisputed in three of those divisions.

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