Max Holloway gives Ilia Topuria credit for Alexander Volkanovski wins but explains why it won't matter when he fights him
09/16/2024 11:41 AM
Despite Ilia Topuria triumphing over Alexander Volkanovski when he couldn’t, Max Holloway is convinced that regardless of previous results, he has what it takes to reclaim the featherweight belt.
‘Blessed’ and ‘El Matador’ will clash in a highly-anticipated contest at UFC 308 on October 26 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Max Holloway says Ilia Topuria beating Alexander Volkanovski will have no bearing on UFC 308
In just over a month’s time, Max Holloway will put it all on the line in his bid to win back his 145-pound UFC world championship belt.
However, the task at hand is anything but easy, as to reinstate his place as the number one featherweight on the planet, he’ll have to overcome Ilia Topuria.
The challenge is particularly daunting considering that his upcoming opponent rendered Alexander Volkanoski, a man who beat Holloway on three separate occasions, unconscious.
But while that statistic could have potentially deterred the reigning BMF King, he’s confident, regardless of whatever has happened in the past, that he’ll still have enough to relieve the Georgian-Spanish fighter of the title.
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In an interview with Brett Okamoto for ESPN, Holloway said: “Bro, I’d be lying to you if I said he wasn’t good. He beat a guy that I had three cracks at [Alexander Volkanovski] and couldn’t figure out. He went in there one time [and won].
“A lot of guys are going to say, ‘That was a hurt [Volkanoski],’ and I understand, but Volk felt like he was good enough to go in there, and Ilia did what he did. He still had to do what he do.
“Even when we talk about the road to the title, if we compare our records of his road to the title and my road to the title with strengths of opponents and stuff, like how strong or whatever rank it is, it is what it is. People are gonna say, ‘He had an easier path’, but he still had to win and he still did it, he still won, he still is the champion.
“He is a great fighter. You’d be dumb to not think that he is. He’s got power, he’s got speed, but he never fought me yet. That’s the beautiful thing.
“He thinks he knows something. I see him say he’s going to be the first one to, ‘put me out’ and blah, blah.
“If that’s what you need to get yourself to the fight, please keep telling yourself that all the way to October 26. When we get in the octagon, and that cage closes, we get to find out. All this he said, she said stuff, is going to go out the window. We get to find out who’s going to be the champion after that night.”
Max Holloway denies allegations Ilia Topuria has gotten under his skin ahead of UFC 308
With the fight on the horizon, Topuria has been making attempts to rattle the former title holder. However, when Okamoto asked whether the power puncher had touched a nerve, Holloway adamantly denied.
The Hawaiian responded: “No, why? What did I say, or what did I do, to show that he’s under my skin? That’s news to me. That’s funny. Nobody can get under my skin, bro. If we weren’t fighting and we didn’t have a fight booked, I’d be kind of annoyed, just because we don’t have a fight booked.
“But at the end of the day, we’re booked, October 26. I get to punch you in the face. I get to fight you. Why would I be mad about whatever he’s doing?
“The guy is writing cheques right now that his body might not be able to cash. The greatest thing ever is that we get to find out October 26.”
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