Ilia Topuria Eyes Conor McGregor Superfight Once the Irishman Gets Past Max Holloway

Ilia Topuria is set to defend his lightweight title at the White House on June 14 when he faces Justin Gaethje in the main event of UFC Freedom 250. The UFC lightweight champion revealed that after that fight, he could have a superfight with Conor McGregor. However, ‘El Matador’ has a condition for facing the inactive superstar.

McGregor is returning to the octagon after a 5-year layoff to fight Max Holloway at UFC 329. The former double champion seems fully committed to his octagon comeback during International Fight Week in July. Even so, the 37-year-old remains a sizable underdog against ‘Blessed.’

Despite the odds literally being against the Irishman, Topuria is backing him to go up 2-0 in his rivalry with Holloway. The Spaniard has picked McGregor in the upcoming UFC 329 main event. Furthermore, Topuria fancies a fight with the former featherweight champion after defending his title at the White House.

Don’t think Conor’s much worse than Max. They’ll probably just go at it like two kittens, just touching hands and feeling each other out. I think Conor is going to win. They already fought once and Conor won. This time around, he could beat him – he should beat him. In fact, if you ask me who I want to win, and what winner is best for me, it’s Conor – because if he wins, and he takes one more fight, maybe we could end up fighting each other.

Ilia Topuria via ESPN Deportes

Ilia Topuria thinks Conor McGregor will beat Max Holloway:

“I think Conor is going to win… if he wins and he has one more fight, we could end up having that fight [me vs Conor].” 👀

(via @CCLegaspi) pic.twitter.com/oAY0RzqPUv

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) May 22, 2026

McGregor hasn’t won a fight since finishing Donald Cerrone in the first round at UFC 246. On the other hand, ‘Blessed’ has remained at the very top of each division in which he has competed and an active participant. The 34-year-old fought for the featherweight title twice in the time his upcoming opponent has remained sidelined.

Despite being 3-2 in his last 5 fights, Holloway has shown that he has not lost a step. Meanwhile, the Irishman’s recent training clips have left fans unconvinced of his current abilities. It is quite surprising that ‘El Matador’ still favors the former double champion to win at UFC 329. However, he isn’t the only one, as Renato Moicano also wanted the ‘Notorious’ to win his comeback fight.

Nonetheless, a fight between the double champions who had dominant runs in the featherweight division would be quite a treat for fans. However, the lightweight champion does not think this fight is as beneficial to him as it is to the 37-year-old.

Ilia Topuria gets honest about a potential Conor McGregor fight

Ilia Topuria and Conor McGregor have quite a few things in common. They are both former featherweight champions who have also held the lightweight title. Moreover, they employ fan-friendly, striking-heavy styles that have led to iconic knockouts in title fights. Even so, the double champions have shared quite a contentious relationship.

After he won the UFC featherweight belt at UFC 298, ‘El Matador’ even called out the Irishman for a fight. However, he seemed to have moved on from the idea owing to McGregor’s inactivity and a perceived lack of commitment to the sport. Now, as the Road House actor gears up to make his UFC comeback, the lightweight champion gave his honest thoughts about a potential fight.

If they offered me the Conor of right now, I would absolutely say no, because what does Conor really bring me right now, you know? Yes, there are some people around the world who want to see that fight, but I think there are many other fights that are much more interesting than a fight with Conor.

Ilia Topuria via ESPN Deportes

Ilia Topuria says Conor McGregor doesn't deserve a fight against him right now:

"For him to say, after Max, that he wants to fight me? Impossible. He's still very far away from me.

I think he'll want to get some rounds in first, build himself back up a bit, because he knows… https://t.co/BiIc6zZJSL pic.twitter.com/78O3tZvVTK

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) May 22, 2026

Topuria isn’t wrong when he says there are more interesting fights on the table for him. The MMA world has been dying to see him take on Islam Makhachev to settle the debate of the best P4P fighter in the world. Moreover, it is a fight that both fighters and the UFC have shown interest in the past, even if it hasn’t materialized yet.

Nonetheless, a fight against McGregor would likely still be the bigger draw, considering how popular the Irishman is. That said, Ilia Topuria will first need to get past Justin Gaethje at the White House before moving on to another opponent.

Also Read:

• Conor McGregor Trolls Nate Diaz for Rejecting Trilogy Showdown in Favor of Mike Perry Beatdown
• Conor McGregor Warned About Leg Break Repercussions at UFC 329 After Chris Weidman Admission