The UFC featherweight champion is brimming with confidence these days. Ilia Topuria, fresh off dethroning Alexander Volkanovski, has set his sights on a potential super fight with bantamweight king, Sean O’Malley. “El Matador” is not lacking bravado when it comes to that potential matchup.
Topuria was recently interviewed by LaSueur. He boldly stated he could do whatever he wanted against the outspoken “Sugar” Sean O’Malley. The featherweight champ didn’t mince words and declared that he could outshine O’Malley in every aspect.
To be honest, whatever I want. I can do with him whatever I want. I can just, just play with him. Like, how would you want me to finish him? It’s like the same question I ask to all the guys that I’m facing, like tell me how you want me to finish you.
Ilia Topuria via LaSueur
Topruia went on to cheekily ask how fans would want him to finish O’Malley. While supremely confident in his ability to defeat O’Malley, Ilia Topuria did express respect for the fellow champion and showman. But that respect didn’t dilute his brash prediction that the fight wouldn’t be competitive at all.
Ilia Topuria answers how he would defeat Sean O’Malley:
“I can do with [O’Malley] whatever I want. I can just play with him…
He’s a world champion, I respect him, but he has nothing to do with me.”
🎥 YT / @LaSueur_off #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/DiiCFRWlx6
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) May 27, 2024
The Georgian fighter has been on an absolute tear since joining the UFC roster in 2020. He’s racked up an impressive 7-0 Octagon record. Most recently, he dethroned the all-time great, Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 in a dominating fashion. Sean O’Malley has been on a similarly spectacular run of his own at 135 lbs.
He’s taken the bantamweight division by storm with a bevy of highlight-reel finishes and elite striking. His confidence and mic skills are just as potent as his fighting prowess. Now it’s up to the UFC brass to make this fight happen in the future.
Ilia Topuria has plans for the Las Vegas Sphere event
The new UFC featherweight king is eager to make his first title defense. Ilia Topuria has his sights set on facing Max Holloway in September. “El Matador” isn’t mincing words about his eagerness to make his first title defense.
Ilia Topuria targets Max Holloway’s fight at the Sphere (via DAZN/ X)In a recent interview, Topuria stated he wanted to fight as soon as possible. The Georgian fighter hoped to book a championship clash with the former title holder and the current BMF champion later this year. Specifically, he’s targeting UFC 306 on Mexican Independence Day weekend.
My target is to come back in September. So, right now we are in the conversations [for that to happen]. So we’ll see. If Max Holloway is able to fight in September, we have a fight. If not, I don’t know.”
Ilia Topuria via Sportskeeda MMA Originals
That upcoming Las Vegas pay-per-view will inaugurate the brand-new Sphere venue. It’s a massive globe-shaped arena built specifically for live entertainment and sporting events. Topuria seemed to relish the idea of defending his belt on that massive stage. However, the Sphere debut of UFC has been specified for the Mexican Independence Day. So naturally, Mexican fighters would hold priority over non-Mexicans for the event.
