UFC star Conor McGregor recently took aim at Ilia Topuria by sharing a strange meme that sparked buzz online. The incident comes as part of ongoing tensions between the two fighters, especially after Topuria’s recent rise in the UFC spotlight. This development highlights the growing rivalry just as Topuria continues to build momentum as a UFC lightweight champion.
Ilia Topuria claimed the UFC lightweight title with a knockout of Charles Oliveira last month at UFC 317, marking himself as one of the few fighters to secure a second world championship. Known for his unbeaten streak and dynamic boxing skills, Topuria has drawn comparisons with McGregor, who is also celebrated for his stand-up fighting and charismatic personality. Despite these parallels, the relationship between the two fighters has become increasingly strained.
Escalating Tensions Following UFC 298 and McGregor’s New Look
Topuria’s victory over Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 earned him the featherweight championship and led him to publicly challenge McGregor for a bout in Spain, anticipating McGregor’s return to competition. McGregor, sidelined from competition due to a leg injury sustained in his last fight against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264, has yet to accept the challenge.
Relations between McGregor and Topuria worsened after Khabib Nurmagomedov, McGregor’s longtime rival, drew comparisons between the two, prompting McGregor to respond angrily on social media before deleting his tweet. Shortly thereafter, McGregor unveiled a striking new haircut resembling that of UFC Hall of Famer Chuck Liddell, generating mixed reactions from fans and fighters alike.
Following the haircut reveal, McGregor posted a meme on Instagram that appeared to mock himself and Topuria, adding fuel to their public feud. As of now, Topuria has not issued any statement or response to the meme but is expected to make a title defense later this year.
McGregor’s Previous Calls and Upcoming UFC Return
McGregor’s combative interaction with Topuria is not new. Last year, McGregor challenged Topuria to meet in Marbella, Spain, while he was in town for a Bare Knuckle FC event. However, the two never crossed paths during the event, leaving their rivalry unresolved in person.
Meanwhile, McGregor is preparing for a UFC comeback, aiming to fight at the organization’s planned White House event next July. He has reentered the UFC drug testing pool, signaling his commitment to return to competition. Injury setbacks forced him out of a scheduled headline fight against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 last year, a bout that never materialized. Since then, Chandler has competed twice while McGregor remains inactive.
McGregor’s recent fight record shows three losses in his last four outings, including two consecutive defeats by Poirier in 2021. His most recent victory was against UFC Hall of Famer Donald Cerrone at UFC 246. The contrast between Topuria’s rise and McGregor’s struggles adds new dimensions to their rivalry as they both eye the future of the UFC lightweight and featherweight divisions.