Ilia Topuria is open to fighting fellow UFC champions Sean O'Malley and Islam Makhachev after facing Max Holloway at UFC 308.
Ilia Topuria is so dedicated to his pursuit of greatness that he'd feel confident facing two of the UFC's biggest names in the same night.at UFC 298, and he’s now scheduled to defend his belt for the first time against former featherweight king and current “BMF” titleholderon a number of occasions, and ahead of the latter fighter’s title defense at UFC 306 Topuria expressed nothing but confidence regarding a potential fight with “Suga”.
Oct 22, 2022; Abu Dhabi, UAE; Sean O'Malley defeats Petr Yan during UFC 280 at Etihad Arena. Mandatory Credit: Craig Kidwell-USA TODAY Sports / Craig Kidwell-USA TODAY Sports. “If he does it, why not? Why not? I would love that fight…For everyone it’s going to be so huge. Like, ‘Ilia is fighting Max or he’s fighting Sean O’Malley.’ But in reality, I know that they both suck. I can do with them whatever I want to do…I can beat them both in the same night. No problem.
"El Matador” also has his sights set on a second belt, and he’s just as confident about the idea of fightingJun 1, 2024; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Islam Makhachev celebrates defeating Dustin Poirier during UFC 302 at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports / Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
"To be honest I could do it after the Volkanovski fight, but I decided to keep fighting in 145 and to defend my belt…After the fight with Max Holloway once I knock him out, maybe the UFC will call me and tell me that they want me to move up to 155, I will be very happy with that decision…I respect , but there’s levels. I feel I represent the new generation of mixed martial arts.
There’s plenty of things that need to fall into place in order for Topuria to pursue matchups with either O’Malley or Makhachev, including what would be his first UFC title defense when he meets Holloway in Abu Dhabi on October 26.Drew is an MMA writer that regularly watches regional events in addition to major promotions such as the UFC, PFL, Bellator, and ONE Championship. He joined MMA Knockout when it was founded in 2023.
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