Topuria 'Really Cheering For' Holloway Ahead Of UFC 308
Yesterday at 09:09 PM
Max Holloway and Ilia Topuria have had some interesting back-and-forths preceding their fight's official announcement for UFC 308 next month (Sat., Oct. 26, 2024).
Since Holloway claimed the Baddest Motherf*cker (BMF) title at UFC 300 in April 2024, he's had his sights set on the Featherweight champion, Topuria. The additional title was one that Topuria originally hoped to have on the line in the match up but his request wasn't met. Topuria went to such lengths that he even acquired a replica belt, which "Blessed" found odd.
Ultimately, Holloway just sees his next championship opponent as one of his many adoring fans.
"After the [UFC] 300 moment, the camera's on him and the dude is just … he's him, he's himself. He's an odd fella I would say," Holloway told ESPN (h/t MMA Fighting). "I just noticed yesterday some people were tagging me on Twitter that he commented on one of my Instagram posts saying 'let's go Max.' I think he's a fan of me.
"I think he's a fan of me, and I think he can't deny it," he concluded. "I think deep down inside, he's really cheering for me, which is kind of weird, but he's an odd fella. He's an odd fella for sure."
Despite Holloway sleeping Justin Gaethje in incredible fashion at the aforementioned UFC 300 event (watch highlights), Topuria's confidence in doing the same to him hasn't wavered. Holloway, 32, is flattered by the thought and hopes it adds an extra layer of motivation for "El Matador."
"He thinks he knows something," Holloway said. "I've seen him say he thinks he's going to be the first one to put me out. If that's what you need to get yourself to the fight, please keep telling yourself that all the way to Oct. 26. Because when we get in that Octagon, that cage door closes, we get to find out.
"All this he said, she said stuff is going to go out the window, and we get to find out who's going to be the champion after that night," he concluded.
