Ilia Topuria Channels ‘Inner Conor McGregor’ to Hype Up UFC Freedom 250 With Fiery Trash-Talk

Ilia Topuria's prediction for UFC Freedom 250 title fight feels like a throwback to Conor McGregor's 'Mystic Mac' era.

Ilia Topuria Channels ‘Inner Conor McGregor’ to Hype Up UFC Freedom 250 With Fiery Trash-Talk

Double champions Conor McGregor and Ilia Topuria [via talkSPORT and Inc.com]

One thing common between Conor McGregor and Ilia Topuria is their ability to trash-talk and excite fans ahead of their fights. UFC Freedom 250 features Topuria facing the interim lightweight champion, Justin Gaethje, in the main event.

Just like McGregor, Topuria has made many predictions ahead of his fight. The Georgian-Spanish star is awaiting his first fight of 2026 this weekend. Ahead of the title showdown against Gaethje, ‘El Matador’ reminded everyone why his fight with Gaethje became the main event of such a historic card.

When you put two types of guys that represent the style that we have, you get fire. One of us is gonna get burned in that fire, and it’s not gonna be me.

Ilia Topuria via UFC Embedded

A decade back, McGregor predicted his victory over Jose Aldo and Eddie Alvarez to capture the undisputed titles at featherweight and lightweight. Fast-forward to today, Topuria has managed to match McGregor’s title accomplishments. All that he needs now is a title defense in the lightweight division, something McGregor didn’t have in both divisions.

As the UFC Freedom 250 event comes nearer, the result of the main event carries massive implications. This may be the last chance for Justin Gaethje to win an undisputed title in the UFC. He will have to do it in front of the President and his fellow Americans on the White House South Lawn.

The veteran American fighter has promised to come out on top against ‘El Matador.’ However, Topuria doesn’t see any threat coming from Gaethje. This is because Topuria likes his opponent to move forward rather than move around on the outside. The lightweight champion once again made a KO prediction and reasoned why it will happen in his conversation with UFC legend Daniel Cormier.

If he’s gonna do what he’s been saying he going to do, move forward and do all those kind of things, I’m going to put him to sleep in the first 2 minutes. Why? Because this is all I need. I need my opponents to stop in the middle with me to start exchanging punches. And, I’m the best in the pocket… At the end of the day, I’m gonna end up catching him.

Ilia Topuria via Daniel Cormier’s YT Channel

Landing devastating strikes in close proximity is one of the reasons why Topuria has knockout victories over Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway, and Charles Oliveira. Adding Gaethje to that list will surely put Topuria closer to a GOAT list in MMA.

If victorious at the White House this weekend, Topuria will join UFC fighters like Daniel Cormier, Amanda Nunes, Henry Cejudo among others to have a title defense in two separate divisions. With all that pressure, Topuria is focused on making his ‘Mystic Mac’ inspired prediction into a reality.

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Ilia Topuria explains why he said “I’m sorry” to Charles Oliveira

UFC 317 saw fan-favorite fighters, Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira, in the main event to capture the vacant lightweight title. Last year, the lightweight division saw no champion sitting at the top for a brief period due to longtime champion Islam Makhachev moving up a weight class.

Ilia Topuria knocks out Charles Oliveira
Ilia Topuria knocks out Charles Oliveira (via X)

Before Makhachev made the move up to welterweight, a potential superfight with Topuria was on the cards. Arman Tsarukyan was out of the title picture for pulling out against Makhachev at UFC 311. This was why Charles Oliveira got the title shot.

Even before the bout, Topuria apologized to Oliveira during their faceoffs. At first, many fans thought it was the Georgian-Spanish fighter showing a different side. Almost a year after UFC 317, Topuria explained why he did what he did.

Originally, I was supposed to face Islam for the lightweight title, and when he decided to move, I got the call from the UFC and they told me it’s gonna be Charles. So I was like, listen, I didn’t want him to fight me because I knew what would happen in a fight between me and him. I’m so sorry.

Ilia Topuria via Daniel Cormier’s YT Channel

Nevertheless, Topuria may not issue an apology to Justin Gaethje this weekend. After all, ‘El Matador’ didn’t appreciate the American fighter bringing up personal life incident surrounding his divorce in the lead up to their title unification bout. As such, Topuria may just go all-out in this bout without wanting to hold back like the last time.

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