Morning Report: Ilia Topuria targets Max Holloway in September earlier than ‘largest struggle in MMA historical past’ vs. Conor McGregor

Ilia Topuria is able to defend his UFC featherweight title.

From the second Max Holloway flatlined Justin Gaethje and have become the brand new BMF champion at UFC 300, the world was anticipating what can be subsequent for “Blessed.” The proud preventing Hawaiian shortly made it clear he had an curiosity in recapturing his beforehand held 145-pound title regardless of the transfer up in weight. That very same night time, Topuria agreed that was the struggle.

The pair have had some fascinating verbal exchanges because the speedy fallout of UFC 300 final month. Nonetheless, “El Matador” is remaining insistent on dealing with Holloway subsequent regardless that he’s threatened to maneuver on with out him if vital. Ideally, Topuria targets a September return, and if not towards Holloway, one thing by the top of the yr in order that he can struggle in Spain to begin 2025.

After a predicted huge win in title protection No. 1, Topuria desires a “Infamous” sort of matchup.

“I hope to defend the belt with Max Holloway, after which I wanna struggle with Conor McGregor, hopefully,” Topuria informed Sportskeeda. “If he wins his upcoming struggle, that’s the struggle I’m searching for. Hopefully, it’s gonna occur. It’s gonna be the most important struggle in MMA historical past. The largest ticket [seller], largest pay-per-view, largest all the things. We’re gonna have like 80,000 folks watching the struggle within the area.

“There’s at all times the primary time [for a knockout]. That is going to be the primary time that somebody goes to knock him (Holloway) out, and I’m the one who’s gonna do this. I see the primary time we’re gonna begin to trade the palms, I’m gonna take his lights out, for certain. I do know that. I simply want one clear punch and I’ve the ability to place him to sleep.”

McGregor coincidentally took some scathing and considerably stunning pictures on the featherweight champion earlier this week. Labeling Topuria an Artem Lobov-esque “little r*tard,” McGregor said how he appears at Topuria as a “non-champion” who will get “picked aside” by Holloway in a possible struggle.

If a struggle between McGregor and Topuria had been ever to occur, it could doubtless should be at light-weight as McGregor’s upcoming return takes place at welterweight towards Michael Chandler subsequent month. In fact, that requires each of them to win their subsequent fights which will likely be simpler stated than completed.

In the end, Topuria desires to make historical past and achieve this within the largest fights conceivable. He hasn’t talked as a lot about turning into a double champion as others, aside from the BMF crown. Down the road, the champion admits an Islam Makhachev light-weight title struggle might be fascinating.

“Perhaps [I could fight Makhachev] sooner or later,” Topuria stated. “Proper now I simply see the Max Holloway struggle, the Conor struggle. Perhaps if [Makhachev] retains defending the belt and he retains turning into greater and greater and greater, possibly at some point we are able to see that struggle too. However for the second, for proper now, he’s not on my checklist.”

TOP STORIES

Diamond. Dustin Poirier makes bold prediction for Islam Makhachev struggle at UFC 302

Future. Conor McGregor ‘currently in negotiation stage’ with UFC on new contract, nonetheless desires 3 fights in 2024

Scouts. TKO president compares Dana White to NBA’s David Stern in terms of constructing superstars

Banter. Matt Brown criticizes Jake Paul ‘trying to be f*cking hard’ speaking trash to Mike Tyson: ‘So cringe’

R.I.P. Cage Warriors fighter Connor Hitchens dies at 26

Gross. Husband and coach of UFC fighter arrested for alleged sexual abuse of child

Odds. Anderson Silva opens as huge favorite over Chael Sonnen in June boxing match

LET’S WATCH

Sound & Pound.

Strickland vs. Costa preview.

UFC Muted.

The Walkout

LISTEN UP

Heck of a Morning. MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck discusses Conor McGregor vs. Leon Edwards? Plus, Usyk vs. Fury on the spot traditional.

MORNING MUSIC

Go to Twitter, use the #MorningReport hashtag, or discover considered one of my tweets with it, and drop me a jam you’re presently actually into. I’ll choose one of the best one alongside my each day alternative and offer you a shoutout! You can even share within the feedback under — these are simply tougher to sift via generally!

SOCIAL SCROLL DOWN

Relaxation up, champ.

Lol.

Squad.

Subsequent?

Mark “The Rock” Kerr.

Prep.

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Andre Lima (8-0) vs. Mitch Raposo (9-1); UFC 302, June 1

FINAL THOUGHTS

Issues will get extremely fascinating for Topuria if he does pull off a Holloway win. Particularly if it’s a knockout. He’s setting himself to keep away from something that isn’t thought-about “huge” even when it’s a logical title protection like a Movsar Evloev or whomever.

Thanks for studying!

EXIT POLL

Should you discover one thing you’d wish to see within the Morning Report, hit up @DrakeRiggs_ on Twitter and let him learn about it. Additionally, observe MMAFighting on Instagram and like us on Facebook.