Will Conor McGregor fight Ilia Topuria after Max Holloway?

During a busy fight week filled with media appearances, autograph sessions and promotional events, Conor McGregor brought up Ilia Topuria while speaking with Smash Cast Media. The Irishman returns to the Octagon for the first time in five years following his last defeat to Dustin Poirier, and took aim at Topuria, who was recently beaten at UFC Freedom 250 by Justin Gaethe.

McGregor on Topuria’s loss

McGregor said Topuria had been badly beaten in his most recent fight, describing mixed martial arts as a brutal business. He added that he deliberately avoids mentioning Topuria by name, while claiming the Spaniard frequently talks about him and references his career. McGregor said he sees that as evidence of the influence he continues to have on other fighters.

Topuria vs McGregor

Comparisons between the two have been common ever since “El Matador” became a two-division UFC champion.

Topuria, meanwhile, has recently softened his stance toward McGregor. After previously dismissing him as an inactive fighter, he has since acknowledged that the Irishman remains good for the sport and that many fans still want to see him compete.

“The Notorious” could determine the next chapter of his career tonight. The UFC card in Las Vegas begins with the early preliminary fights at 5 p.m. ET, while McGregor and Max Holloway are not expected to make their walk to the Octagon before 11:30 p.m. ET.

Topuria has also suggested that McGregor is likely saving a fight between them as the final major bout of his career. However, he believes the Irishman must first get past Holloway and then win another fight before such a matchup can become a realistic possibility. A potential clash between the two therefore hinges on what happens in Las Vegas tonight.

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