Chael Sonnen believes that Ilia Topuria has the potential to become a bigger star than Conor McGregor. Now, the MMA community takes everything prime instigator ‘Unc Chael’ says with a grain of salt. However, he is right on point on this one. Without a “Connie Comeback” train, McGregor is completely out of UFC Pound-for-pound listings, Whereas, after the pay-per-view (PPV) event top bill at UFC 308, Ilia Topuria is one of the most complete fighters on the roster.
After knocking out Alexander Volkanovski to claim the 145-pound gold, Ilia Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) kept his brand power alive. What people and fight pundits like Chael Sonnen called cockiness turned out prime premediated resolve. The Alicante-Georgian said he would, and also got to become the first to knock out Max Holloway. After the UFC 308 pay-per-view (PPV) headliner, the undefeated Spaniard is the ‘it man’ of McGregor’s former stomping ground.
He’s got the Prime Minister of Spain watching his fights and having people filming, …He’s got the biggest actresses, the most successful athletes – which are football, in Spain – coming and watching him live…It turns out he’s as good as he said. I mean, it’s going to be a short period – he’s not here now, but it’s a short period of time. At this trajectory, believe this or not, he’s going to pass Conor McGregor
Chael Sonnen via his Official YouTube channel (@ChaelSonnenOfficial)
According to Sonnen, the sky is the limit for ‘El Matador’ if Topuria continues his dominance inside the octagon. No bull worthy of their keep has been able to temper him yet. Topuria has also enjoyed unprecedented fame in his wake. He took over the Super Bowl LVIII Radio Row, Jack Slack Podcast 164; receiving an ovation during the El Hormiguero interview.
He even had soccer superstar Sergio Ramos travel to Abu Dhabi to support him for his title fight against Holloway at UFC 308. At just 27 years of age, Topuria has already put himself on the map. Topuria’s six-fight UFC featherweight winning streak is the longest active streak in the division. Nations rallying behind him is something McGregor saw in his rise. Now, at odds, his rival takes the cake and eats it too.
UFC Battle: The ‘Notorious’ Bull vs. ‘Matador’
145 to 155 is where the talent pool just stretches out. At featherweight, particularly, the talent is at its peak and only a few have managed to snag the blimp. ‘The Notorious’ Conor McGregor made quick work to his roadmap to fame at 145. He was the first ever real superstar, who a whole nation or more rallied behind. But now, in more than one way – that’s Ilia Topuria.
German-born Topruia, now representing Georgia and Spain has the support of all and sundry. Much like the ‘Mac’ effect at Dublin’s 3Arena, the Spaniard is the top pay-per-view (PPV) draw for El Bernabéu stadium. There’s a new rush for UFC Spain after his UFC 308 feat. He is also a top PPV spotlight now, making the Forbes España’s ’30 Under 30′ list. Only McGregor had made the list out of UFC’s active roster.
Given all the similarities, Topuria vs. McGregor has been prime for reaping. Topuria and McGregor have traded barbs on numerous occasions. Topuria once longed to fight McGregor but has recently changed his tune, saying ‘The Notorious’ wouldn’t be worthy of facing him.
As it stands, it will be difficult for any fighter to surpass McGregor’s popularity. The former UFC two-weight champion is responsible for eight of the UFC’s 10 top-grossing pay-per-views. But right now, if anyone can, it’s Ilia Topuria. He said he would knock out a former UFC top pound-for-pound and the consensus best hard-chin boxer. That he did, and more. Right now, if he says the UFC CEO oughta bill him the No. 1 P4P seed, some fans would jump on that wagon. It’s time to put stock into Topuria.
