Conor McGregor is the most popular and highest-paid athlete in the UFC. As such, many fighters strive to have a fight with him. Recent developments have caused the UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria to no longer eye a showdown with Conor McGregor. The Spanish-Georgian fighter has had a change of heart about facing the Irish superstar.
Topuria is coming off an impressive victory over Alexander Volkanovski. With the win, he became the first fighter to knock out Volkanovski in the featherweight division. He had called out McGregor soon after, but now, he’s singing a different tune. In a recent interview with Marca, Topuria didn’t mince words about McGregor. He claimed the former double champion has lost his edge and confidence.
He had confidence in his preparation, in how he prepared himself, in all the effort he put into his preparation and in his improvement. He has lost confidence in himself, in his abilities, in everything… and he uses any excuse not to get into the octagon.
Ilia Topuria via Marca
Topuria’s comments came after McGregor’s recent injury woes and fight cancelations. The Irishman’s pinky toe injury became a source of his ridicule. It seems the prospect of a “red panty night” no longer excites Topuria. For those unfamiliar, that’s Conor McGregor‘s colorful term for a big-money fight.
Ilia Topuria isn’t interested in a Conor McGregor fight anymore:
“[Conor] he’s already lost. He’s already very weak… he no longer has the self-confidence like he had before…
He had confidence in his preparation… all the effort he put into his preparation and improvement.… pic.twitter.com/tDqXTase46
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) July 4, 2024
Ilia Topuria‘s focus has shifted to other potential opponents in the division. He’s not interested in what he sees as a fading star. It was rumored that the champion would fight BMF title holder Max Holloway next. However, nothing is official as of yet. Only time will tell if Topuria and McGregor ever meet in the octagon.
Ilia Topuria believes that Conor McGregor has gotten ‘mentally weak’
Ilia Topuria, the new featherweight champion, isn’t pulling any punches. His target is none other than the Irish star Conor McGregor. Topuria recently took to social media to share his thoughts on the former double champion. It is not good by any means.
Ilia Topuria takes a verbal jab at Conor McGregor (via MMA Fighting/ Eurosport)The social media post came after McGregor pulled out of his much anticipated UFC 303 fight against Michael Chandler. McGregor had addressed that he would never fight injured and never lose a fight ever again. However, Topuria had a different take on his withdrawal.
You are mentally broken. That is your biggest lesson. You doubt yourself, your abilities, your preparation, that’s why you don’t show up. You are a b***h.
Ilia Topuria via X
You are mentally broken. That is your biggest lesson. You doubt yourself, your abilities, your preparation, that’s why you don’t show up. You are a bitch. https://t.co/1Uy9YaLSqK
— Ilia Topuria (@Topuriailia) June 22, 2024
Topuria saw McGregor’s withdrawal as a sign of mental weakness. McGregor, once the face of the UFC, hasn’t fought since July 2021. His last victory came way back in January 2020. Topuria’s comments reflect a changing of the guard in the UFC. The young champion looks to claim the P4P status in the upcoming years.
