Ilia Topuria, the new UFC lightweight champion, has achieved a remarkable 17-0 professional record, including an undefeated 9-0 streak in the UFC. Despite this dominant run, former featherweight champion Max Holloway has expressed doubts about the quality of Topuria’s UFC championship streak. Holloway’s comments come amid growing recognition of Topuria’s three consecutive knockout victories over Alexander Volkanovski, Holloway himself, and Charles Oliveira, leading to his historic two-division champion status at UFC 317.
Examining the Context Behind Topuria’s Victories
Topuria’s climb to championship success involved knocking out some of the sport’s biggest names, yet Holloway points out circumstances surrounding these wins that might affect their overall significance. Specifically, he referenced Volkanovski’s fight condition, stating,
“Yeah, he beat the names, and you can’t deny that. Then, when you look, it just sucks with everything that’s going on when you look at that Volk fight – Volk coming off what he did (losing to Islam Makhachev by knockout). That’s kind of crazy. But people just look at the name. They’re not looking at the record,”
—Max Holloway.
Holloway’s perspective highlights that Volkanovski may have been at a disadvantage coming into the fight after a recent knockout loss to Islam Makhachev, which could have impacted Topuria’s path to victory. Additionally, Holloway notes the status of other opponents during their bouts, mentioning,
“They’re just like, ‘Oh, Alex was the champ,’ and then me and then Charles. Charles was on a one-fight win streak,”
—Max Holloway, suggesting that the context of his and Oliveira’s form at the time should be considered when evaluating Topuria’s championship runs.
Challenges Topuria Faced and Holloway’s Overall Acknowledgment
Holloway also hinted at his own physical challenges during his fight with Topuria at UFC 308, indicating that making the featherweight limit was more difficult for him at this stage of his career. Despite his critiques, Holloway acknowledged Topuria’s accomplishments and the UFC’s matchmaking, explaining,
“At the end of the day, they’re just moments and they’re just names. It is one of the greatest names, for sure, that he beat in history. But the man is doing what he’s supposed to do. The UFC are lining people up for him, and he’s just knocking them down. So, fair play to him.”
—Max Holloway.
Topuria’s ongoing streak represents an impressive achievement in mixed martial arts, yet Holloway’s concerns underscore the complexities in assessing the true value of an undefeated run, considering opponents’ circumstances and timing. As Topuria continues to defend his titles, fans and analysts will watch whether his winning streak can overcome these criticisms and solidify his legacy in UFC history.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Ilia Topuria Turkish?
A. Ilia Topuria, born on January 21, 1997, is a Georgian-Spanish mixed martial artist. He fights in the UFC’s Lightweight division and is the current champion.