UFC 298 and UFC 300โs double-header vicious KOs left fans with two of the most memorable moments of 2024. Now, fans are angsty, waiting for the return of Ilia Topruia. He has been baiting Max Holloway for a long while now. It seems him placing hooks in every nook and cranny has finally paid off. At least, that is what he claims.
โEl Matadorโ fulfilled his claimed destiny when he dispatched Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298. Soon after, Max Holloway delivered one of the most violent buzzer-beater knockouts at UFC 300. Despite his return to 155, fans have waited for Topuriaโs maiden defense to be against Holloway. The Alicante-Georgian hints that all systems are go and top brass allegedly forced Holloway into a fight.
It seems that the UFC has forced him to say yes. El Matador is back. Congratulations to all @ufc fans.
Ilia Topuria via X (@Topuriailia)
Topuria, 27, has made it a point only to do fights with Holloway when both of their titles are on the line. Bossman Dana White did not budge much on the idea. He did, however, a hint that a BMF title match might be in the works.
With the rebranded Noche UFC up soon, contesting the silver strap was a good option. Ilia Topuria even spoofed that he already has dates for September 14, keeping him in the conversation. However, the BMF title will not be on the line when they fight.
It seems that the UFC has forced him to say yes. El Matador is back. Congratulations to all @ufc fans.
โ Ilia Topuria (@Topuriailia) July 24, 2024
Holloway, 32, last challenged for undisputed gold at 145 during his trilogy in July 2022. The duo have been linked together for some time for a potential championship fight. As for Topuria, heโd be the second former champion heโs fought, as his next fight will see him attempt to go 16-0.
Recently, Canadian broadcast partner UFC TVA Sports left a tease about the same that left fans bewildered. Only the date remains unconfirmed. Is it for UFC 306 at the Sphere or UFC 307 in Salt Lake City? Only time will answer that. Now, Topuriaโs tease is garnering similar responses.
Fight fans react to Ilia Topuria claiming opponent was forced into a fight
Max Holloway is infamous for not ducking callouts and saying yes to even the most stylistically challenging matchups. In a moderated Q&A with Marca at the start of the month, Ilia Topuria blamed Hollowayย for delaying the billing of their fight. Things got a bit tense ever since. Quebec broadcaster UFC TVA Sports hinting Holloway vs. Topuria are top bills before pre-sale tickets for Septemberโs Noche event went live did not help.
Ilia Topuria; Max Holloway (Source: IMAGO/heavy.com)The Hawaiian boxer says he has been saying yes for a while, but the Spaniard disagrees. While Topuriaโs version has changed over time, this forced him into a title conversation against Holloway. While all light and good, continued slander that Holloway is running scared is where fans draw a line. Consequently, here are a few reactions to saying top brass forced him into a fight:
My brother in Christ he said yes straight away
โ ๐ดแดสแดแดสแดแด๊ฐแดกแดส๐ด (@TheArtOfWar6) July 24, 2024
Ilia going to be a great fictional book writer when he is done
โ Victor Damone Jr. (@vicdamonesports) July 24, 2024
Max said yes right away what are you on about?
โ igor๐บ๐ฆ (@ukraniandream) July 24, 2024
Yeah getting Max Holloway to agree to a fight has always been very difficult.
Do you ever read back the things you say, and imagine how it must sound to somebody with the capacity for critical thought?
โ Boots nโ Slim Shane D (@DrFreezepop) July 24, 2024
Huge fight. Get the BMF on the line and do the Sphere ๐ฅ
โ SW FIGHT HUB (@swfighthub) July 24, 2024
As such, most fans have taken a swipe at him, red-handed, blaming Holloway. However, others remain excited about such a matchup. Featherweight still remains one of the strongest talent pools of fighters. This was true when Holloway used to contend actively; itโs still true with Topuria as champion now. All in all, their battle can prove to be one for ages.
