Ilia Topuria challenges Max Holloway to Justin Gaethje-like alternate at UFC 308 in heated interview

UFC 308 is true across the nook, and the headliners Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway are itching to step into the cage to settle issues for the featherweight title.

The undefeated champion Topuria (15-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) is assured he is not going to solely retain his gold, but in addition change into the primary to complete former champ Holloway (26-7 MMA, 22-7 UFC) by knockout.

The combat goes down in the primary occasion of UFC 308 on Oct. 26 at Etihad Area in Abu Dhabi. Whereas there are nonetheless two weeks earlier than they’ll get their arms on one another, that hasn’t stopped them from hurling verbal jabs at each other.

“You already know the way it feels to bounce again,” Topuria stated to Holloway in a pre-fight interview moderated by Brendan Fitzgerald. “You have already got seven skilled defeats. I’ve zero. So, you’re going to do it as soon as once more rather well, I don’t have any doubts about that. You’re a nice instance of that.”

The interview started with respectful but sarcastic banter, however with every alternate, the sarcasm grew till full-on insults had been spewed.

“I took lots of people’s doughnuts, bro,” Holloway replied. “I hope you want churros since you’re about to get one come Oct. 26, buddy.”

Topuria dismissed Holloway, and claimed he’ll change into the primary individual to knock out the previous featherweight champion, whose solely stoppage loss got here by submission to Dustin Poirier at UFC 143 in 2012.

“The one factor I’m going to do is take your lights out and social gathering with all my individuals, all my staff. That’s what I’m going to do,” Topuria stated. “And Nonetheless. That is what’s going to occur.

“… I don’t have any doubts that I would be the first one to knock you out. I don’t even need you to belief in that as a result of for those who’re beginning to belief in what I’m saying, you’re not going to indicate up, and I would like you to indicate up for the combat.”

Topuria defined his confidence comes from learning the division’s greats earlier than him, together with Alexander Volkanovski and Holloway. Topuria knocked out the previous in his final combat at UFC 298, finishing the former champion in the second round.

Holloway enters this title alternative coming off a Knockout of the 12 months contender at UFC 300, when he violently slept Justin Gaethje with one second left on the clock after pointing to the bottom, inviting him to commerce bombs till the ultimate horn.

Topuria was not impressed with that combat, nor the end. He even took it a step additional, issuing a problem to Holloway.

“Bro, I used to be so bored watching that combat,” Topuria stated. “The one factor thrilling about that combat was the final 10 seconds, to be sincere. However I didn’t see any method in that combat. I didn’t see any technique. I didn’t see any f*cking factor. I simply noticed a bar combat, to be sincere. It was very spectacular for the followers, however for me, as knowledgeable, it was a – I don’t know. Not one thing very spectacular.

“I problem you to have that alternate within the first 10 seconds of the combat and you will notice what’s going to occur. Once you face a fighter like me contained in the octagon, who brings that method and that energy, you’ll be able to’t do this. I’m going to take your head off for those who do this.”

Holloway laughed on the problem and stated Topuria wouldn’t do it as a result of he will get drained shortly. The recurring response from “Blessed” was to specific his pleasure for combat night time whereas repeating, “We’ll see,” and, “We’re going to search out out,” in rebuttal to Topuria’s daring opinions.

Topuria claimed Holloway didn’t wish to take the combat in opposition to him and would have rathered face Michael Chandler, which prompted a fiery reply.

“You had been the primary man I requested for,” Holloway stated. “I stated I would like Ilia Topuria. I would like the best combat. I would like Ilia Topuria. That’s what I stated.”