Max Holloway and Ilia Topuria have had some fascinating back-and-forths previous their combat’s official announcement for UFC 308 subsequent month (Sat., Oct. 26, 2024).
Since Holloway claimed the Baddest Motherf*cker (BMF) title at UFC 300 in April 2024, he’s had his sights set on the Featherweight champion, Topuria. The extra title was one which Topuria initially hoped to have on the road within the match up however his request wasn’t met. Topuria went to such lengths that he even acquired a reproduction belt, which “Blessed” discovered odd.
Finally, Holloway simply sees his subsequent championship opponent as one in every of his many adoring followers.
“After the [UFC] 300 second, the digital camera’s on him and the dude is simply … he’s him, he’s himself. He’s an odd fella I might say,” Holloway advised ESPN (h/t MMA Preventing). “I simply seen yesterday some folks have been tagging me on Twitter that he commented on one in every of my Instagram posts saying ‘let’s go Max.’ I feel he’s a fan of me.
“I feel he’s a fan of me, and I feel he can’t deny it,” he concluded. “I feel deep down inside, he’s actually cheering for me, which is form of bizarre, however he’s an odd fella. He’s an odd fella for positive.”
Regardless of Holloway sleeping Justin Gaethje in unimaginable style on the aforementioned UFC 300 occasion (watch highlights), Topuria’s confidence in doing the identical to him hasn’t wavered. Holloway, 32, is flattered by the thought and hopes it provides an additional layer of motivation for “El Matador.”
“He thinks he is aware of one thing,” Holloway stated. “I’ve seen him say he thinks he’s going to be the primary one to place me out. If that’s what you want to get your self to the combat, please preserve telling your self that every one the way in which to Oct. 26. As a result of after we get in that Octagon, that cage door closes, we get to seek out out.
“All this he stated, she stated stuff goes to exit the window, and we get to seek out out who’s going to be the champion after that night time,” he concluded.
