UFC 308’s clash between Max ‘Blessed’ Holloway and ‘El Matador’ Ilia Topuria lived up to its hype. The Spanish star put on his career’s best performance which shocked the world. As promised, Topuria squared up with the BMF champion in the middle, and invited him to slug it out in the early stages of the fight. Deeming the fire-fight in the opening second too dangerous, Hawaiian averted the threat, but not for long.
Later in the fight, the 32-year-old mixed martial artist found himself at the bitter end of Topuria’s powerful left hook. No sooner than later, it led to Topuria producing a never-before-seen moment in MMA. Now, it looks like Michael Bisping has also hoped on the hype train, praising the fighter for being technically better than Alex Pereira.
I will say, (Ilia Topuria) better than Alex Pereira’s left hook. Technically better, Alex Pereira has just got God-given power, but the technique with which that was delivered (left hook) that was perfect.
Michael Bisping via UFC 308 Post Fight Show
Bisping’s comments come after Topuria’s flawless performance that he had originally promised to deliver. He believes the Spaniard has a superior technique that produces great results over just relying on power. Topuria’s run in the UFC has been quite dominant, with 8 wins in a row with just one minor hiccup against Jai Herbert (a knockdown). So far, he has beaten every adversary who stood in his way to the world title at 145lbs. It seems like the UFC star wants to take his talents to other divisions as well in the future.
🤯Michael Bisping just said that that Ilia Topuria has a better left hook than Alex Pereira:
“I will say [Ilia Topuria has] a better left hook than Alex Pereira. Technically better. Alex Pereira has God-given power, but the technique with which Topuria delivered that hook [in… pic.twitter.com/C346W1CsAb
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) October 28, 2024
Alex Pereira’s 3 title defenses under recording breaking time made him the frontrunner for the Fighter of the Year. But given the level of competition Topuria has faced in 2024, it has made UFC icon to back the Spaniard over Pereira. Moreover, the 27-year-old star is looking to go beyond the 145lbs division.
Ilia Topuria wants to be 3-division champion in the UFC by 2027
Alex Pereira has the best chance in the UFC to win 3-world titles across three divisions for the first time. It is a record no one has been able to accomplish, and that is exactly what captivates Ilia Topuria. Speaking with the media during UFC 308 fight week, Topuria announced his aspiration to the world.
Unfortunately for him, he will have to stay put in the featherweight division facing its top contenders. As Dana White, in the post-fight presser of UFC 308, laid down one condition for Topuria to chase other titles. So far, Topuria seems quite confident in his abilities, so much so that he claims he can submit even Islam Makhachev.
Probably a three-weight world champion, yeah! This is my goal. You are not going to see me in the welterweight division like this, skinny. You’re going to see me different yeah that’s the goal. Move up the lightweight division, take that belt and then move up to the welterweight division.
Ilia Topuria said in the exclusive media interview for TNT Sports
“Three years… three belts” 😮💨@TopuriaIlia has big plans for the next three years!#UFC308 | Oct 26, 5PM | LIVE on TNT Sports Box Office ➡️ pic.twitter.com/h8S8uRAWr4
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) October 22, 2024
This 3-year-old goal could see many changes in both divisions that Topuria can’t even predict. The welterweight title is up for grabs in the main event of UFC 310. The bout features unbeaten Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Belal Muhammad that could go either way. Meanwhile, the lightweight division continues to see the domination of Makhachev. It would be interesting to see whether this prediction turns true or not, as thus far Topuria has lived up to his words.
