The UFC featherweight division is heating up, with champion Ilia Topuria throwing an interesting wrinkle into the mix for his next fight. Where the reigning won’t be doing a title defense but will be the challenger.
In a recent tweet, Topuria declared he would only fight former lightweight champion Max Holloway if the “BMF” (Baddest Motherf**ker) belt was also on the line.
The tweet said: “Without the BMF belt, I don’t want [to fight Max] at all. If not, I’m gonna fight with Volk who deserves more than him, the rematch. He’s been saying ‘right now I have a lot of options’, he doesn’t have any options. I’m the champion right now, I choose the date, I choose the place. Whenever I want him, he has to be ready.”
Ilia Topuria says he won’t fight Max Holloway unless the BMF belt is on the line:
“Without the BMF belt, I don’t want [to fight Max] at all. If not, I’m gonna fight with Volk who deserves more than him, the rematch.
He’s been saying ‘right now I have a lot of options’, he… pic.twitter.com/68FtrIXQ6G
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) April 17, 2024
Ilia Topuria’s Bold Stance
This unexpected demand adds a layer of complexity to the highly anticipated matchup. Ilia Topuria (15-0) captured the featherweight title in February with a stunning second-round knockout of Alexander Volkanovski. Holloway (26-7), on the other hand, solidified his claim as a legend by securing the BMF belt at UFC 300 with a last-second knockout of Justin Gaethje.
Ilia Topuria’s reasoning seems to be twofold. First, he clearly wants a piece of the prestige associated with the BMF title, a belt that has gained significant notoriety since its inception. Second, he downplays Holloway’s options, highlighting his own champion status and leverage in choosing his next opponent.
Interestingly, Topuria mentions Volkanovski as a more deserving opponent if the BMF belt isn’t involved. This sentiment acknowledges Volkanovski’s lengthy reign over the featherweight division prior to Topuria’s upset victory. It also suggests Topuria might be more comfortable defending against a familiar foe.
The MMA world has reacted with a mix of amusement and intrigue to Ilia Topuria’s stipulation. Some see it as a strategic move to increase the hype and potential pay-per-view sales for the fight. Others view it as a disrespectful slight towards Holloway and the legitimacy of the featherweight title itself.
Regardless of the motivation, Ilia Topuria’s stance throws a curveball at the UFC’s matchmaking plans. The organization will need to decide whether to accommodate Topuria’s desires or risk a potential stalemate.
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