Conor McGregor has a different fanbase in MMA. Even fighters who don’t like him can’t deny what McGregor has given to the sport. Featherweight champion Ilia Topuria called out McGregor after his title triumph at UFC 298. As such, he recently previewed the Irishman’s fight against Michael Chandler, simultaneously hoping for a fight in the future.
Topuria and McGregor had exchanged social media barbs with the Irishman recently dissing the Georgian-born Spaniard. However, Topuria was respectful of McGregor as he previewed the UFC 303 main event in the interview with Sportskeeda MMA Originals.
I don’t know, it’s a tough one to be honest. [Michael] Chandler is a very tough fighter too, but I don’t know. Conor [McGregor], he’s something special. You never know. When he goes inside the cage, you never know. Maybe you see a knockout in 15 seconds or 10 seconds, or maybe you see how he broke his leg or how someone knocks him out. You never know. Something you always know is that you’re gonna see something spectacular in the fight. Something’s going to happen.
Ilia Topuria via Sportskeeda MMA Originals
Oddsmakers have McGregor as a small favorite for the fight against Chandler. However, many are skeptical of the Irishman as he has not fought in almost three years. Nonetheless, Chandler’s recklessness has often caused his downfall, and McGregor is the last person Chandler should fight recklessly against.
Topuria also praised Sean O’Malley, who called him out after “Suga” defeated Marlon Vera at UFC 299. However, Topuria didn’t entertain the idea, suggesting the bantamweight champion to fight his close friend and number one bantamweight Merab Dvalishvili.
Ilia Topuria explains why he receives a huge reception in Europe
Ilia Topuria has become a sensation in the MMA realm, particularly in Spain and Georgia. After he won the title, Topuria met with the Spanish Prime Minister and Georgian President. Moreover, he received various gifts, even the latest Aston Martin DB series model.
Ilia Topuria (Image via Imago)Topuria also received Spanish citizenship and has become very popular among top football stars like Sergio Ramos and Lionel Messi. Moreover, fans swarmed him when he arrived in Georgia. On the MMA Hour, Ariel Helwani compared the featherweight champion to Conor McGregor, and Topuria revealed why it is so.
I called the show before. I was saying to everyone that I would become a UFC world champion because I sacrificed a lot of things. I think they found some kind of inspiration and motivation in me. I think that’s the main reason I get so much love from them. It wasn’t just because I became a UFC world champion, you know. Those are my thoughts, yes.
Ilia Topuria via the MMA Hour
🇬🇪 Ilia Topuria is in Georgia! ❤️
I think there is at least 5k people at the Tbilisi International Airport ✈️ 🥹 pic.twitter.com/Lx2mfnPZZG
— Giorgi Kokiashvili 🇬🇪 (@iHeartGeorgius1) March 18, 2024
Topuria’s upcoming fight is potentially against BMF champion Max “Blessed” Holloway. He has previewed the fight as an easy matchup. Moreover, Holloway’s performance against Justin Gaethje didn’t impress the featherweight champion. As such, the UFC will likely announce the bout in the not-too-distant future.
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