Ilia Topuria has maintained an undefeated professional record of 17-0, including a flawless 9-0 run inside the UFC cage and three consecutive wins in championship title bouts. Known as “El Matador,” Topuria captured the featherweight championship by knocking out Alex Volkanovski, then successfully defended the belt against Max Holloway. Following this, he vacated the featherweight title to pursue success at lightweight, where he quickly defeated Charles Oliveira to claim his second UFC championship belt.
Max Holloway’s Perspective on Topuria’s Record
While Topuria’s accomplishments have earned respect, Max Holloway expressed a nuanced view regarding the perception of these victories. Speaking to CBS Sports, Holloway pointed out that fans often focus more on the names Topuria defeated rather than their recent form or overall records.
“Yeah, he beat the names, and you can’t deny that,”
Holloway said.
“But then when you look, it just sucks with everything that’s going on when you look at that Volk fight, Volk coming off [a loss to Islam Makhachev]. That’s kind of crazy. But people just look at the name. They’re not looking at the record. They’re just like, ‘Oh, Alex was the champ,’ and then me and then Charles.”
Assessing the Quality of Topuria’s Victories
Alex Volkanovski and Max Holloway are widely regarded as two of the greatest featherweights in UFC history, while Charles Oliveira holds the lightweight championship record for most submissions, finishes, and post-fight bonuses. Despite their notable achievements, Holloway points out that the circumstances surrounding these fighters at the time of Topuria’s wins were complex.
“Charles was on a one-fight win streak,”
Holloway added.
“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.”
Future Matchups and the Road Ahead for Holloway
Max Holloway is set to continue his pursuit of a UFC title as he moves into the lightweight division. He will face longtime rival Dustin Poirier in the main event of UFC 318, scheduled for this weekend in New Orleans. Poirier, known as “The Diamond,” is expected to retire after this final hometown appearance, and Holloway currently trails 0-2 in their rivalry.
Fan Reactions and Overall Impact
Some fans voiced disappointment with Holloway’s remarks, perceiving his comments as dismissive of Topuria’s accomplishments. Nonetheless, the ongoing discussions highlight the challenges fighters face when defending legacies and establishing dominance in a competitive division. Topuria’s undefeated record and two-division titles reflect his rising status, while Holloway’s upcoming bouts will play a crucial role in defining his career’s next chapter.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Ilia Topuria Turkish?
A. Ilia Topuria, born on January 21, 1997, is both Georgian and Spanish. He is a professional mixed martial artist.
He fights in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He holds the title of UFC Lightweight Champion.