The BMF title has created a lot of buzz in recent weeks, even more than the actual belts for the weight classes. Ilia Topuria is also taking his shot at the BMF title holder and isn’t backing down from his bold demands. The UFC featherweight champion wants Max Holloway’s BMF title on the line if they fight next.
Topuria was recently interviewed on El Podcast de Webpositer. He talked about his wish to fight Max Holloway, but only if the BMF title was on the line. The champion stated that it would be fair if both these individuals put their belts on the line and the winner took it all.
He says sign the contract, this, that… Where are you? Put the belt on the line. I said how I’m not going to fight him if he doesn’t put the BMF belt into play and he was like ‘that’s not the way a real BMF claims the title’. You intend for me to put this belt on the table, and you don’t want to put what is yours, that is, if you lose you want to continue being the BMF, how does that work? It makes no sense if it is not played.
Ilia Topuria via El Podcast de Webpositer
The undefeated Spanish fighter knocked out Alexander Volkanovski to claim the 145lb belt. Meanwhile, Max Holloway jumped to lightweight and pulled off an electric knockout victory over Justin Gaethje and captured the BMF title. Now, the two men are on the brink of an epic clash if the negotiations go smoothly.
Ilia Topuria remains adamant that Max Holloway needs to put his BMF belt on the line if they fight, and says he’d rather fight Brian Ortega or Alexander Volkanovski if he doesn’t:
“You [Max] are the BMF champion, you have the opportunity to fight for the title. What are you… pic.twitter.com/if34Nfaoil
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) April 30, 2024
Topuria revealed his readiness to fight again between August and October this year. Holloway has made it clear that he wants the crack at the featherweight belt next. The timeline is there, but the negotiations for the epic clash remain at a stalemate. There is also the case of Alexander Volkanovski, who could face Topuria first for having five title defenses in the featherweight division.
Ilia Topuria has alternatives for his first title defense other than Max Holloway
Featherweight king Ilia Topuria isn’t backing down from his BMF title demands. Topuria has a couple of alternatives in mind if Max Holloway refuses. He threatened the newly minted BMF champion that he would give the title shot to either Brian Ortega or Alexander Volkanovksi.
Ilia Topuria threatens to give the title opportunity to someone else (via X/ MMA Fighting)The undefeated Spanish fighter having a rematch with the former long-reigning champ Volkanovski seemed the obvious move. Topuria also made a point of including Brian Ortega in the title picture for a specific reason other than defeating Yair Rodriguez.
The only thing that makes it relevant would be that I would give Volkanovski the opportunity for a rematch or to fight with Brian Ortega, who was much closer to finishing Volkanvoski in one fight that Holloway was in four.
Ilia Topuria via El Podcast de Webpositer
Featherweight Champ Ilia Topuria says is more interest in a fight with Brian Ortega than a fight with Max Holloway‼️
“Brian Ortega makes more sense. He’s always ready to fight plus he just beat Yair”
“Max can wait”
Are we missing Volk yet❓#UFC #MMA
— MMA Casuals (@MMA_CASUALS_) April 30, 2024
Topuria is making all these plans, but Dana White may have different matchmaking plans in his mind entirely. Topuria seemed completely unfazed about defending his belt for the first time. As such, one can expect him to bring his attack-heavy style inside the octagon towards the latter half of the year.
