The upcoming title fight between Max Holloway and Ilia Topuria might be one of the most anticipated bouts of 2024. Both fighters are in their prime and have lethal striking capabilities. With only a few weeks to the fight, the featherweight champion already has a prediction for the bout.
Ilia Topuria takes pride in himself as the best boxer in the whole UFC roster. The fighter has consistently proved his striking prowess in his bouts against top UFC fighters. In his last fight, ‘El Matador’ dropped former pound-for-pound ace, Alexander Volkanovski to become the new champion. Topuria recently stated, at UFC 308, Holloway will face a similar fate.
Nobody can exchange blows with me, not only because of my power but because of the technique I apply to each movement…So as soon as he starts to fight, as soon as he points his finger down, if he does it from the beginning… that’s it
Ilia Topuria via MARCA
Topuria is confident in his speed and power, and he has advised that Holloway wear a motorcycle helmet for the fight. The undefeated champion claimed that his superior to Holloway in every manner, including how they looked. The Georgian-Spaniard has no fear and believes in his invincibility.
Ilia Topuria thinks his fight with Max Holloway will be a short one 😳
“As soon as [Max] starts to really fight me and start exchanging blows, that’s the end of the fight. Nobody can exchange blows with me, not only because of my power but because of the technique I apply to… pic.twitter.com/wcb0omvPvT
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) September 19, 2024
The rivalry between Holloway and Topuria got the attention of fans after UFC 300. Fans remember the infamous and concerned reaction from Topuria after Holloway dropped Justin Gaethje out cold in the last round. With fans anticipating a brutal striking showdown, Holloway has no intentions of backing down at UFC 308.
Max Holloway is ready to stand and bang with Ilia Topuria
The particular possibility that both Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway have mentioned, is the iconic pointing to the canvas move. Holloway popularized it during his last fight and fans are expecting the same at UFC 308. As Topuria mentioned, it would be a bad idea for the ‘Blessed’ to try it against him.
However, the BMF champion holds a different view. During a recent interview, Bret Okamoto asked Holloway what he would do if Topuria pointed to the canvas and invited him to a swing fest. Holloway believes it is an intriguing moment and will not withdraw from the challenge at hand.
I don’t know when he would do it or why he would do it. There’s points and reasons to do that…we’ll see if it happens. If he does it then how can I step down from that.
Max Holloway via ESPN MMA
Holloway has promised fans a performance that would beat all the standards he has previously set for himself. The trash talking both fighters is equally entertaining and fans are expecting more of it. All eyes are set at UFC 308 which is stacked with incredible fights from top to bottom.
