Ilia Topuria labels Max Holloway's win over Justin Gaethje a glorified 'bar fight' as the two get heated in a face-to-face interview ahead of UFC 308
10/10/2024 07:51 AM
Ahead of their main event clash at UFC 308 on October 26, Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway have come face-to-face for the first time, taking part in a sitdown interview with the UFC.
The lead-up to the UFC 308 main event between featherweights, Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway, has intensified over the past few weeks, with both fighters trading barbs online ahead of their highly anticipated title fight.
Despite that, ‘El Matador’ hasn’t only had his eyes on Holloway as the 27-year-old has seemingly begun a feud with current lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev, with the Russian recently responding to the newly formed beef.
Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway argue in a face-to-face interview ahead of UFC 308
To raise the intensity and anticipation for their UFC 308 fight, the UFC sat down with both ‘Blessed’ Holloway and the Spaniard and conducted a rare face-to-face interview.
Although the interview began with Topuria giving Holloway respect by admitting he has been a fan of his for a while, things took a turn and began to get quite heated as they started arguing about a plethora of different things.
“No one is gonna save you when that cage door closes, my friend, no one,” Topuria told Holloway.
“No one’s gonna save you too buddy, no one’s gonna be there for you. Actually, the ref, the referee is gonna save you buddy, the ref is in there to save you buddy,” Holloway responded.
During the interview, ‘El Matador’ grabbed a replica BMF title and wrapped it around his arm in an attempt to draw the anger out of the former champion.
Following Holloway’s emphatic UFC 300 win over Justin Gaethje this past April, Topuria’s reaction went viral as the camera panned to him looking extremely shocked. Despite that, the 27-year-old has downplayed Holloway’s performance.
“Bro, I was so bored watching that fight, the only thing exciting about the fight was the last ten seconds, to be honest, but I didn’t see any technique in that fight, I didn’t see any strategy, I didn’t see anything, I just saw a bar fight… For me as a professional it was not impressive,” Topuria claimed.
“Your face said otherwise so it is what it is brother,” Holloway calmly reacted.
Topuria and Holloway argue about who is the better boxer
One of Holloway’s most memorable performances was against Calvin Kattar in 2021, when during the fight, ‘Blessed’ turned to the commentary team mid combination stating he is the best boxer in the UFC.
Exuding confidence in typical Topuria fashion, the undefeated knockout artist began to argue with Holloway over who is the better boxer between them.
“That’s a shame, don’t say that again, I recommend don’t say that again. How is he the best boxer in the UFC, no head movement, no knockout power, no technique, bro, what the f*ck is this?” Topuria stated.
“We get to find everything out brother, he can talk all this talk but we get to find out October 26,” Holloway responded.
Topuria has vowed ever since the fight was announced to be the first one to knock out Holloway and he is confident he will do so.
“He’s never faced Ilia Topuria, he’s never faced El Matador, he’s never faced anyone like me.”
