Coaches and teammates play a crucial role in an MMA fight. Specifically, their advice before and during the fight can significantly influence the outcome for their fighters if implemented effectively. One of the most notable examples was when Ilia Topuria‘s corner advice during his fight against Alexander Volkanovski ultimately changed the course of the match.
Topuria’s victory over Volkanovski has firmly established him as the undisputed featherweight champion. This win surprised many, as most in the community expected Volkanovski to successfully defend his title once again. Interestingly, months after the fight, Topuria disclosed his plans. As such, the Spaniard even shared how his brother, Aleksandre Topuria, played a crucial role in helping him achieve this victory.
After the first round, when I went to the corner, my brother told me, ‘Work on the counter on his jab.’
Ilia Topuria via UFC 308 Countdown
In that fight, Topuria struggled to find his rhythm in the first round. The former undisputed featherweight champion fought the initial round quite comfortably, landing two to three big shots on Topuria. It was during this time that Topuria’s corner, particularly his older brother, provided valuable insight that helped ‘El Matador’ breakthrough Volkanovski’s defense. Ultimately, Topuria finished the Australian champion with a four-punch combination.
🧠⚡️ “Brain of the team” Aleksandre Topuria gave a perfect corner advice to his brother Ilia to counter Volk’s jab which led to the finish.
🎥 @ufc pic.twitter.com/CWeIgdyODE— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) October 23, 2024
Currently, Topuria is preparing for his first title defense against veteran featherweight Max Holloway, who recently achieved an impressive victory over a top-5 ranked lightweight fighter. Interestingly, as the fight night draws near, excitement in the community is growing. As such, many notable figures are engaging in discussions and previews of this compelling matchup.
Israel Adesanya previews the upcoming fight between Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway
The Spaniard is renowned for his exquisite striking skills, which he has demonstrated on multiple occasions. Similarly, Max Holloway is also well-known for his striking abilities. Notable fights against Calvin Kattar and Justin Gaethje showcase Holloway’s prowess in the octagon. However, there are some differences between the two fighters that former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has pointed out.
Holloway is a seasoned veteran in the sport and has performed exceptionally well since his debut. He even held the UFC featherweight title for three years before losing it to Alexander Volkanovski. According to Adesanya, the vast combat experience of both fighters will be crucial in the upcoming Holloway vs. Topuria match. As such, this experience could give the Hawaiian fighter a significant advantage.
I’m going to go Max Holloway because I feel with his depth of work, the bodies he’s encountered in the octagon, the experience, the octagon time he has… I think when it comes to round four and five, that’s where he’s going to thrive…
Israel Adesanya via FREESTYLEBENDER
However, amidst that, Israel Adesanya isn’t completely ignoring the possibility that Topuria can surprise Holloway in the early rounds. That being said, it will be interesting to see how this highly anticipated matchup between the Spaniard and the Hawaiian will unfold this weekend.
