Max Holloway, the legend that separates Ilia Topuria from glory: “You must be ready to go to war”
There is little doubt about Max Holloway (26-7). The Hawaiian, local idol and in charge of putting the islands on the UFC map along with BJ Penn, He is one of the featherweight GOATs in the UFC. With him, Alexander Volkanovski or José Aldo… in a trio that Ilia Topuria (15-0) wants to become a quartet.
‘Blessed’ has done everything and fought against everyone. His seven defeats, something that ‘Matador’ has pointed out to him on numerous occasions in contrast to his position as an undefeated fighter, are against legends: ‘Volk’ (three times), Poirier (two), McGregor or Dennis Bermúdez. However, His jaw is made of titanium and he holds the brutal record of never having been knocked out. Something that Topuria wants to break and emphasizes in all his interviews: “I will be the first to knock him out.”
I’ll be the first to knock him out
The American spoke in the preview of UFC 300 about Alicante
But Holloway, who has 22 victories in the UFC and He returned to the ring at UFC 300 after knocking out Justin Gaethje in an anthological finish, It’s one more jump. Shows off the BMF (the ‘Baddest Motherfucker’ belt) and a long list of records that place him among the elite: most wins at featherweight (20), most knockouts in UFC featherweight history (9), the fighter with the most significant blows in UFC history (3,378) or the most blows received in the entire UFC (2,223). He hits and knows how to fit.
But all this does not scare the ‘Matador’. “On October 26th the world will find out who the best fighter in the featherweight division really is. There is no way I am going to lose this fight. He’s been saying he’s the best boxer in the UFC. I have my doubts. If you think you’re better than me, show me. Prove me wrong, if you can. Aim for the ground, if you can. “I’ll be there, trust me!” declared a Topuria who challenged him to make his characteristic gesture of pointing to the center of the octagon to start the fight.
On October 26 the world will find out who the best fighter in the featherweight division really is
Max Holloway, with the BMF.
Betting vs predictions
At 32 years old, Holloway has already done it all in the UFC. But he wants more. He rejects the idea that Topuria defends that the Hispano-Georgian is the reference of the new batch of fighters. Although he is five years older, he considers himself part of that group. He won the unified interim featherweight belt by defeating José Aldo and successfully defended it three more times before Volkanovski dethroned him in 2019.
It is because of his legacy, and because of his presence in the United States, that Most UFC fighters defend that Max Holloway is a favorite for this fight at UFC 308. Volkanovski, for example: “I think it’s going to be a long, hard night for Topuria. And I’m not criticizing the guy. It’s just that, obviously, I’ve fought Max three times. I know how good he is. You have to be ready for “five rounds of war.” Also Sean O’Malley.
I think it’s going to be a long, hard night for Topuria. And I’m not criticizing the guy. It’s just that I’ve obviously fought Max three times.
“I’ve seen the predictions of the UFC fighters. Screw them all. “After I knock out Holloway, don’t even say ‘hello’ to me if you see me,” was Topuria’s response. Others like Aspinall or Gaethje do believe that the Spaniard can finish ‘Blessed’. In fact, The betting houses see Ilia Topuria as a very favorite. So much so that the fee is around 1.30.
I have seen the predictions of the UFC fighters. Fuck everyone
The American spoke about the Matador in the preview of UFC Night
The BMF will not be in play
This was, without a doubt, one of the points that created the most discussion until the UFC confirmed the fight and made it clear that the BMF would not be in play in Abu Dhabi. Topuria wanted the double belt and didn’t understand why if he had to defend his throne, Holloway didn’t do the same. But the American company had other plans and ‘Matador’ ended up accepting them. “Everything will come,” he often says.
However, in recent days, the BMF was back on the table… in the form of attacks from Hawaii: “The belt is called ‘Blessed Man Forever’ (Holloway was playing on his nickname, ed.) or whatever you want to call ‘Baddest Motherfucker’ (the worst son of a bit…, ed.) If the belt was ‘DMF’, the dumbest son of a bitch, then maybe I’d get caught up in it. “It’s very far from that.”
Be that as it may, Topuria vs Holloway has been heated by the statements and size of both fighters. An emerging legend against an MMA myth. UFC 308 will be historic.
