Ilia Topuria hopes to be the one to shut out Conor McGregor’s ultimate chapter within the UFC.
‘El Matador’ despatched shockwaves by way of the UFC fanbase with a stunning second-round knockout of Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 to say the featherweight world title.
Since then, Topuria has been angling for a big-money fight with Irish megastar Conor McGregor.
Regardless of his current callouts, Topuria made it clear that he has nothing, however respect for McGregor and what the previous two-division champion has completed for the game. Nonetheless, the brand new 145-pound king says it’s his flip to take the reigns and he plans to start out by closing the e book on McGregor’s storied profession.
“At the beginning, by way of making our sport recognized, he’s the proper character,” Topuria stated during a recent interview in his house nation. “My aim proper now could be to increase the game. I wish to increase the game as a lot as I can and the extra individuals learn about it, the higher it’s. It’s the work that I wish to do, and exactly for the brand new technology, for myself, and for the game — which is what I do, and the fervour and love that I’ve for it.
“He represents a chapter in MMA and I consider that it’s time for that chapter of that season to shut and a brand new one to start. I do assume that preventing him, beating him could be like leaving him within the season behind.”
ilia Topuria confirms talks are already underway for the uFC’s first occasion in Spain
Instantly following Ilia Topuria’s title-winning efficiency final month, UFC CEO Dana White confirmed that the promotion would begin discussions for an event in Spain the place Topuria resides. Requested for an replace on these plans, ‘El Matador’ revealed that talks are already nicely underway.
“Now we have a gathering at midday to hold out the complete UFC Spain challenge,” Topuria stated. “It’s a pretty advanced challenge, however steps are being taken. If it’s going to be Conor, I don’t know. It wouldn’t shock me in any respect. And if it’s not him, I’ll combat another person and I believe that Conor will already be within the season behind.”
As for once we might see the UFC head to Spain for the primary time in its 30+ yr historical past, Topuria provided a possible timeline.
“I’d begin counting from summer season onwards,” he added.
Although no official particulars have been revealed, all indicators level towards the occasion happening inside Santiago Bernabéu — the enduring house stadium of Actual Madrid since its completion in 1947.
Along with his win over Alexander Volkanovski in Anaheim, Ilia Topuria moved to an ideal 15-0 in his combined martial arts profession along with his final seven victories coming contained in the Octagon. He has completed all, however two of his opponents, together with 5 knockouts and eight wins by the use of submission.
Even when Topuria can’t lure Conor McGregor right into a combat, he has a bunch of contenders ready for a chance on the high of the featherweight division — chief amongst them being Brian Ortega who’s coming off a big win in opposition to former interim champion Yair Rodriguez in February. And, in fact, there’s all the time Max Holloway, a former champion and perennial contender who at the moment sits because the No. 2 ranked fighter within the weight class.
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