‘We Have Lost An Idol’

Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Don’t expect “El Matador” vs. “Notorious” anytime soon ...

Ilia Topuria is gearing up for his first Featherweight championship defense against the current “Baddest Motherf—ker” champion, Max Holloway, which goes down next month (Sat., Oct. 26, 2024) at UFC 308 inside Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

After Topuria rendered Alexander Volkanovski unconscious at UFC 298 earlier this year for the Featherweight title (watch highlights), and before Holloway starched Justin Gaethje at UFC 300, it seemed like Topuria was trying to fish for a “super” fight with his “idol” Conor McGregor.

However, within seven months, Topuria changed his mind because he no longer sees McGregor as the man he once was.

Ilia Topuria says he would turn down a fight against Conor McGregor if it was offered to him:

"I'm telling you that if they offered me a fight with [McGregor], I'd say no because there are bigger fights than him...

He's not the McGregor that moved the masses. He's a McGregor… pic.twitter.com/cRhjBLfG31

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) September 26, 2024

“I wouldn’t like to fight Conor McGregor,” Topuria told Ibai Llanos. “I mean, McGregor would be an option if I could fight him, but right now, I’m telling you that if they offered me a fight with him, I’d say no because there are bigger fights than him.

“I know he is not what he was,” Topuira continued. “He’s not the McGregor that moved the masses. He’s a McGregor who represents alcohol and drugs more than sport. I have been inspired by Conor; I admired him when I was little. And he lost it because he has betrayed the values that brought him [to the top]. We have lost an idol.”

There is no doubt that McGregor is the biggest draw in mixed martial arts (MMA), so it’s a mystery who a bigger fight for Topuria would be (definitely not this guy). Perhaps “El Matador” will reveal who those fights are at a later time.

Nevertheless, he must get through Holloway first on Oct. 26, 2024.

For more UFC 308 fight card news and details click HERE.