Max Holloway respects Ilia Topuria‘s skills ahead of their UFC 308 lightweight title bout but criticizes Topuria for being unoriginal and a “copycat,” while still acknowledging his opponent’s impressive track record and abilities.
Max Holloway respects Ilia Topuria’s skills ahead of their lightweight title bout at UFC 308 on Saturday. Yet, he doesn’t quite understand a few things about his opponent.
Topuria shocked the MMA world by stopping Alexander Volkanovski earlier this year to capture the UFC belt. Now, he’s facing Holloway, who delivered an unforgettable last-second knockout against Justin Gaethje to claim the BMF belt.
Topuria challenged Holloway to do his “point down” call in the first 10 seconds of their fight instead of the final moments. Holloway thinks that’s just Topuria being unoriginal.
“It just makes no sense,” Holloway said during UFC 308 media day in Abu Dhabi. “I don’t think he deserves it. You gotta earn that right.”
Holloway feels Topuria is copying someone else’s style, down to tattoos and aura. And it’s ironic because Topuria’s best friends with the guy he’s trying to emulate.
“At the end of the day, I think you got to earn that moment,” Holloway continued. He believes Topuria could have earned it with Josh Emmett in their five-round war. But instead, someone shot and held someone down for the rest of the fight.
He finds it amusing how Topuria is trying to steal not just one person’s aura but also someone else’s signature move. “It’s amazing,” Holloway added.
Holloway called Topuria’s mind “very interesting.” But if that’s what it takes for Topuria to be his best on Saturday night, so be it.
“I’m more confused about everything he’s saying about me not wanting to fight him,” Holloway said. “He got me out here feeling like how he looked after my Gaethje fight. It’s crazy.”
Despite all this, Holloway doesn’t underestimate a man who has won seven straight inside the octagon and 18 overall as an MMA fighter.
“He’s good,” Holloway acknowledged. “When he came into the UFC, he was a grappler and wrestler but started knocking people out. His boxing is nice.”
As a fighter, you can’t deny Topuria’s skills or achievements. He’s proven himself by doing what needed to be done to get where he is today.
UFC 308 will mark Holloway’s 16th five-round fight since joining the UFC in February 2012. That’s three years before Topuria’s first MMA bout.
“Blessed” doesn’t feel disadvantaged being five years older than the current champion. “I’ve been here, done that,” he said.
Holloway has more than double the experience with 34 MMA bouts under his belt. People forget how young he was when he achieved his title wins and defenses.
He knows Topuria talks about his cardio, but often it’s because he’s hurting opponents early in fights. “The beautiful thing is guys, I just cannot wait,” Holloway enthused. “Tune in Saturday night.”