“I will be the first one to take your lights out” – Ilia Topuria quotes Bible verse and vows to knock out Max Holloway after UFC 300 BMF performance

Ilia Topuria wants to defend featherweight belt and promises to become the first fighter to knock Max Holloway out.

“I will be the first one to take your lights out” – Ilia Topuria quotes Bible verse and vows to knock out Max Holloway after UFC 300 BMF performance

Ilia Topuria swears to knock out Max Holloway (via Imago)

UFC 300 witnessed intense fights and lived up to the hype and expectations of fight fans. The ultimate fight that happened was most definitely Max Holloway vs. Justin Gaethje. The fight ending sequence amazed everyone inside the arena. After witnessing the incredible fight, Featherweight champion Ilia Topuria wasted no time in putting Holloway on notice.

Ilia Topuria attended the UFC 300 event alongside Israel Adesanaya. The camera showed Topuria’s reaction when Max Holloway knocked out Justin Gaethje at the last second of the 5th round. Topuria soon called out Hollway for a fight. This would most likely be for his first featherweight title defense. He quoted a verse from the bible for the callout as well. 

Congrats on your performance Max. Respect your story and everything you achieved with a beautiful family. Hopefully we gonna share the octagon before the end of the year and trust me you gonna feel something that you never felt before. I will be the first one to take your lights out. Philippians 4:13
Ilia Topuria via X
YouTube video

Ilia Topuria felt confident that he possessed the power required to shut down Holloway. He recently had a sensational KO victory over the former longtime champion Alexander Volkanovski. Throughout his entire career, Holloway has never experienced a knockout. Hence, the matchup remains intriguing.

FS Video

The Georgian fighter believed he had the divine power to become the first to truly “take out” Holloway’s lights. Bold words, to be sure but Topuria isn’t just all talk. His fiery confidence and biblical backing will most definitely make this potential showdown an instant classic. Moreover, he became the first fighter to knock out Volk in the featherweight division. It remains to be seen if Topuria can also do that to Holloway.

Max Holloway does not believe that Ilia Topuria was scared

The reaction from Ilia Topuria after Holloway knocked out Justin Gaethje was a dead giveaway of his deep thoughts at that exact moment. Topuria didn’t smile or do anything. He just stood there and looked dejected. This prompted many fight fans to assume that Topuria was scared to fight Max Holloway. However, ‘Blessed’ turned these allegations down.

Max Holloway isn't counting Ilia Topuria out
Max Holloway isn’t counting Ilia Topuria out (via X/BBC)

Max Holloway talked to the media at the UFC 300 post-fight press conference. A reporter asked ‘Blessed’ about Ilia Topuria’s reaction to his spectacular knockout. They insinuated that Topuria was scared, but Holloway has never underestimated his opponent.

I don't know the dude. I mean, you don't know if he's socially awkward or something. So maybe that's just what he is… This guy is a world champion, he’s a killer.
Max Holloway via post-fight press conference

As of now, it remains to be seen who will get the next crack at the featherweight title. Alexander Volkanovski has a case, and so does Holloway. After suffering back-to-back knockout losses, Volkanovski should take further time away to heal. As such, Holloway should get the immediate title shot due to leaving UFC 300 without any injuries. Only time will tell if the UFC decides to give Holloway the next shot, with Volk receiving further down the line.

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