Ilia Topuria has placed his cards on the table.
Topuria put on a boxing clinic last night as he dominated former interim title contender Josh Emmett to a clean sweep decision. Headlining his first event in the UFC, the Georgian-Spaniard impressed the masses to enter the top 5 featherweight rankings.
The now 14-0 fighter dominated for all 5 rounds. Even scoring a coveted 10-7 on one scorecard. ‘El Matador’ entered Jacksonville and up and comer, and left a bonafide star. With the starlight clearly not getting to the 145er, it seems that we have a serious contender on our hands. Daniel Cormier, in the post fight interview, even highlighted that the masses would be content with a title shot.
The main question in regards to him is where does he go from here? With many fight options on the horizon, Ilia made his opinion known in the post-fight press conference.
Ilia Topuria Wants One Thing
Topuria in the post-fight press conference confirmed in order to fight Max Holloway, the event would have to be in Spain.
Ilia Topuria says on the UFC Jacksonville post-fight show he’ll entertain a fight vs Max Holloway prior to a title shot, on one condition: it happens in Spain.
Nolan King via Twitter
With Topuria representing Alicante, a trip to Spain would be a first for the UFC. Holloway is currently scheduled to fight The Korean Zombie in Singapore, and as a 1/10 favourite, is expected to win. ‘Blessed’ vs ‘El Matador’ would surely be a title contention bout, and it being in Spain would be a spectacle to behold.
Topuira recently moved passed the idea of fighting UFC lightweight Paddy Pimblett after the pair had got into a scuffle at UFC London in the hotel. Topuira feels he has nothing to gain by throwing down with the outspoken Scouser, and he’s already levels above him in every department.
“So giving merit to a person that’s only where he is because he knows how to sell himself well. I don’t think that’s the right thing to do. We’re athletes. In the UFC, the difference between them and other organizations is that here what’s valued is the sport and Paddy, sporting wise, hasn’t achieved anything. That’s why he doesn’t interest me at all.”
How would Max Holloway vs Ilia Topuria unfold?
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
