Next October 26, Ilia Topuria (15-0) will defend his featherweight belt against Max Holloway (26-7) at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi. It will be his first time stepping into the octagon as a champion and, as the old timers say, someone is not a champion until they defend the crown. But ‘Matador’ is not affected by pressure. The other way around. It motivates him. And it feels better than ever.
“The truth is that I feel better than ever. I’m stronger, faster, timing, reflexes, speed, everything is sharp. Believe me, I am as the best in the world should be”, stated Topuria of MARCA.And his words are not based on sensations. The data supports it.
The truth is that I feel better than ever. I’m stronger, faster, timing, reflexes, speed, everything is sharp
“The data that I gave about two-three weeks ago has surpassed all brands which I have given almost in the last few weeks with Volkanovski, and I am six weeks away from the fight,” he remarks.
The data that I have given about two-three weeks ago has surpassed all the marks that I have given almost in the last few weeks with Volkanovski
It is something that MARCA confirms Doctor Aldo, a fundamental part of the Topuria team and, also, a data analyst: “We have been comparing everything that has been recorded, both when he entered the top-10, in the top-5 and when he won the UFC World Championship… They have been compared and Ilia is currently in the best state.” way of his life, with the lowest percentage of fat five and a half weeks after the fight. And well, raising his entire technical, tactical and physical level. It is at an extraordinary level.”
Ilia is currently in the best shape of her life, with the lowest percentage of fat five and a half weeks before the fight.
Ilia Topuria with her team after winning the UFC belt
Your best camp
Last January, a few weeks after facing Alexander Volkanovski in Anaheim for the featherweight belt, the ‘Matador’ remarked that He felt like a winner because he had done “the most professional camp of my career.” And it has been surpassed again.
“We have greatly improved the feint game, taking even more long combinations, changing the angles, then the ground part as well. We have sharpened a lot of details to be able to hold off the rival even better, so that there are fewer gaps… So I have improved in many parts,” he told MARCA.
We have sharpened a lot of details to be able to hold the rival even better, so that there are fewer gaps
In addition, top-level pieces have been added to his team… such as Sergio ‘Maravilla’ Martínez. The world boxing champion has collaborated with the Topuria staff and, to MARCA, declared that “we are facing the birth of a legend. “I was surprised by the strength of his blows with both hands and the intelligence he has.”
We are facing the birth of a legend
Ilia Topuria, during her interview with MARCA.
KO in the first round
But Ilia Topuria always goes further. He wants to win by making it clear that he is the best. Not in any way. Not mooring. “Tell me how you want me to beat you,” he challenged Max Holloway in the past. The Hawaiian, one of the best boxers in the UFC, dominates striking as he demonstrated with his spectacular KO against Justin Gaetghje at UFC 300. And that is where the Hispanic-Georgian wants to prevail.
“We want to take the fight to ‘striking’. Max Holloway is good at it, and we want to show that we are the best in the world. We have been working for a long time and on October 26 people will be able to see it, they will be able to enjoy a great show,” Javi Climent analyzed for MARCA. boxing trainer from Topuria.
We want to take the fight to ‘striking’. Max Holloway is good at it, and we want to show that we are the best in the world
The ‘Matador’ has not shared much about his camp but some of the videos we have been able to see on social networks are of him making mittens with Javi Climent. And the speed he showed came to amaze Joe Rogan himself.
“We are going to beat him up top. Furthermore, in the first round, Javi promises.
