Max Holloway accuses UFC of protecting Ilia Topuria from him; sees title bout ‘sooner or later’
145-pound stalwart Max Holloway says Ilia Topuria jumped the gun to become the featerweight title challenger as he'd have defeated the cocky contender otherwise.
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Max Holloway and champion Ilia Topuria (Source: Instagram)
Max Holloway might be edging toward the crowded lightweight contention picture. But he hasn’t closed all doors on a win back at featherweight just yet. He’s returning to the lightweight division on Saturday to meet Justin Gaethje for the ‘BMF’ strap. However, the Hawaiian fighter hasn’t forgotten about Ilia Topuria.
Max Holloway has been a 145-pound mainstay for most of his run. ‘Blessed’ recently told Kevin Iole of Yahoo Sports that he was open to contending for both classes. He also had fiery words at ‘El Matador‘ for talking a big game and accused the UFC of protecting Topuria from him.
He likes to talk a lot, I like to listen. When its time it’s time, he’s gonna have to see me sooner or later... Like I said, there’s a reason why the UFC didn’t want him to fight me. They made all these other contenders coming out to fight me. Yair, Arnold Allen, you keep naming them...Why didn’t Ilia come up? Then he gets a title shot against after Josh Emmett. Against a guy who just lost to the champion. MMA math is confusing as hell sometimesMax Holloway to ESPN MMA’s Brett Okamoto for UFC 300 pre-fight sitdown
Holloway went up in weight five years ago but came up short against Dustin Poirier for the interim title. The Hawaiin fighter had his moments, but Poirier’s size advantage was too great to overcome. Hence, for the April 13 pay-per-view card at T-Mobile Arena, Max Holloway urges a visible difference and hard prepping. However, lest that changes, he’s always ready to fight at 145 as well.
He has always said he wasn’t offered up cocky challenger Ilia Topruia for a reason. Holloway’s argument holds merit, as the UFC kept sending contenders like Yair Rodriguez, Arnold Allen, and Calvin Kattar his way. Once Holloway defeated them, the UFC didn’t send Ilia Topuria to face the Hawaiin fighter. Instead, they gave him a title shot. The two fighters will face each other in the future, and Topuria has much to prove against the former champion Holloway.
Max Holloway is open to competing in both weight classes after UFC 300
In a recent ceremonial pre-fight sitdown with ESPN MMA‘s Brett Okamoto for UFC 300, Max Holloway reviewed his ‘BMF’ championship fight with Justin Gaethje. He also touched upon current featherweight titleholder Ilia Topuria. Following his sensational knockout at UFC 298 in Anaheim, the new champion has substantially risen in popularity.
Topuria and Holloway are on a collision course. Well into the Official Fight Week, the UFC 300 roster participated in its first official pre-fight Media Day presser. Holloway talked about the benefit of having options to fight.
We’ll see what happens, In this sport, having options is always good. First thing’s first is Justin Gaethje... But there is a fun fight down there, and that man keeps talking, and I keep hearing him. My only advice to (Topuria) is when the contract comes up, sign the dotted line...Questionable. That guy, everyone keeps asking me what do I think of Topuria – and I think he’s questionable.Max Holloway via UFC 300 pre-fight Media Day
‘Blessed’ is neither committing nor staying at one particular title. Keeping the momentum alive, Holloway seems interested in fighting for the UFC featherweight title once again, especially against Topuria. The Hawaain fighter is not yet convinced of the capability of Topuria. Hence, he warns the champion to sign a contractual statement when the time comes and live up to his status.
In case you missed it:
- What is the BMF belt? What does it stand for, and will it be on the line at UFC 291?
- “They don’t do this for everyone” – Famed MMA journalist reveals INSIDER information on how much the UFC values new champ Ilia Topuria
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Dibaas.M
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