UFC featherweight Champion Ilia Topuria recently delivered a sharp message to Conor McGregor, cautioning that things could get ugly if they ever met face-to-face.
The tension between the two fighters escalated when McGregor mentioned Topuria in a live stream while promoting Duelbits. McGregor made a bold claim, saying he’d slap Topuria if they crossed paths, and even invited him to approach him at an upcoming BKFC event in Spain.
Topuria didn’t take McGregor’s words lightly. The Georgian fighter, known for his straightforward and aggressive demeanour, fired back, making it clear that McGregor wouldn’t want to test him. Topuria referenced the upcoming UFC 308 event, where he’s set to headline against Max Holloway. Confident as ever, Topuria expressed that McGregor wasn’t even on his radar in terms of skill and stature.
UFC Featherweight Champion Ilia Topuria Vows to Bury Conor McGregor
In one of his boldest statements, Topuria said:
“[Forget] you, Conor. All day every day. He’s just not on my level, not at all. Otherwise, I’d gladly plant these knuckles in his brain to see if I could fix it and straighten his nose.”
Topuria didn’t stop there:
“He says when we meet—you won’t even look me in the eye…McChicken. On the 12th, he’ll be at an event in Spain while I’m on the frontlines, not as a spectator. I’ll be headlining an event. He’s been missing out on big time.”
This back-and-forth between Topuria and McGregor comes as McGregor is recovering from an injury. He has been absent from the UFC octagon since his loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in 2021, where he broke his leg. Since then, McGregor’s planned fight against Michael Chandler has fallen through, and questions remain about when, or if, McGregor will return to top form.
Topuria’s rise has been meteoric, with his recent win over former champion Alexander Volkanovski solidifying his position in the division. The Georgian’s upcoming fight against Max Holloway could further cement his status as one of the biggest names in the sport.
Topuria Taunts McGregor
Still, Topuria continued his taunts towards McGregor.
“I’ll dance on your head. Conor’s problem is I’ll slap these nuts on his forehead, right here, and I’ll warm him up with this. Then I’ll throw him down and stomp on his head.”
Despite the verbal jabs, a fight between McGregor and Topuria seems unlikely. McGregor’s recent behaviour on live streams, including drinking his own Forge Irish Stout and smoking, led many to question his focus on returning to competition. Some have speculated that McGregor’s immense wealth and lack of discipline outside the octagon might keep him from returning to his peak form.
McGregor, for his part, has hinted at a comeback, but whether that materializes, especially in a matchup with someone as hungry as Topuria, remains to be seen. For now, it’s all talk.
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images and Embed from Getty Images
