Ilia Topuria’s got big dreams, folks. He’s eyeing a title defense against Max Holloway. But wait, there’s more. After that, he’s setting his sights on Conor McGregor. And not just anywhere – we’re talking the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Spain. Talk about aiming high!
Becoming the featherweight champ wasn’t a walk in the park for Topuria. He clinched the title with a knockout. A second-round knockout against Alexander Volkanovski, no less. And it all went down this past February. Initially, Brian Ortega was the man he wanted to face first in defense of his title. But plans change, and now “El Matador” is singing a different tune.
Here’s the scoop: Topuria’s got a two-fight plan. Defend his strap against Holloway, then duke it out with McGregor. He’s convinced this will be the biggest fight in MMA history. We’re talking record-shattering expectations here, folks. And get this – he’s even hinted at a date for the UFC’s debut in Spain.
“So, I hope to defend the belt with Max Holloway and then, fingers crossed, square off with Conor McGregor,” Topuria spilled the beans to Sportskeeda MMA. If McGregor wins his upcoming fight, that’s the showdown Topuria’s gunning for. He’s talking big – the biggest fight, the biggest pay-per-view, the biggest everything. Imagine, 80,000 fans packed in the Bernabeu. Just wow.
Meanwhile, Holloway’s been making waves as the BMF champion. He secured a win over Justin Gaethje with a fifth-round TKO at UFC 300 last month. As for McGregor, he’s gearing up for a comeback. It’s been three years, but he’s stepping back into the octagon for a welterweight match against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 on June 29.
Topuria’s open to moving up a weight class to face McGregor. But don’t expect him to challenge the current lightweight champ, Islam Makhachev, just yet. “Maybe, maybe in the future,” he mused. Right now, it’s all about Holloway and McGregor. Makhachev? He’s not on Topuria’s radar – for the moment, at least.