"Unable to distinguish between confidence and arrogance" - UFC star Ilia Topuria calls out Cristiano Ronaldo for his recent comments
Georgian-Spanish MMA fighter lia Topuria has called out Cristiano Ronaldo after the Portuguese icon had earlier said that the UFC featherweight champ won't win against Max Holloway at UFC 308. In October, Cristiano Ronaldo met Francis Ngannou, who made his long-awaited return to the Octagon by winning the PFL heavyweight title in Riyadh.
Before the match, Ngannu, Ronaldo, and Eric Nicksick talked backstage. During the conversation, the Portuguese captain asked the other two athletes about their opinions on the UFC 308 main event between Topuria and Holloway.
Ilia Topuria beat Alexander Volkanovski in UFC 298 in February to win the featherweight title. Before facing Topuria, Volkanovski had faced Islam Makhachev at UFC 294 after Charles Oliveira was forced to withdraw. Volkanovski had lost that match in the first round via KO.
The Aussie then lost his championship to Topuria at UFC 298. Recalling the fight, Cristiano Ronaldo said that Volkanovski wasn't in his best form during the title bout. He later criticized the 27-year-old, saying that he had never faced top fighters. He said (via @PFLMMA):
"I like Max, he's a tough guy. (Topuria) speaks too much. (Topuria) didn't show. I think when he (beat) Volk, Volk wasn't (ready) because of that kick (from Islam), (Volk) didn't recover."
He further added:
"But (Topuria) didn't fight with the top guys. If he beats Max, I will recover. Never KO. This is why (Max) will be tough for Topuria."
However, the 27-year-old defeated Max Holloway to retain his title at UFC 308. Later, the featherweight champion took to X and wrote that he didn't expect Ronaldo to say something like that:
"I didn't expect someone like you to be unable to distinguish between confidence and arrogance. But, at the end of the day, we all reflect our own reality onto others. I wish you the best for what remains of your career, and God bless your family."
Shortly after defeating Volkanovski, Topuria had received a standing ovation at the Santiago Bernabeu before Real Madrid's 1-0 win over Sevilla in February as he performed the ceremonial kick-off.
UFC Featherweight champ Ilia Topuria chooses between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi
UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria once chose Argentine superstar Lionel Messi over Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo. During a UFC event before his UFC 308 fight against Max Holloway, he was asked to choose between multiple football players.
Despite being a Real Madrid fan, he backed Lamine Yamal over Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham. Later, he chose Andres Iniesta over Croatian veteran and Los Blancos legend Luka Modric.
He later chose French icon Zinedine Zidane over Cristiano Ronaldo. He finished the game by choosing 2022 FIFA World Cup champion Lionel Messi over the former Real Madrid manager:
Interviewer: Zidane or Cristiano Ronaldo?
Topuria (after a lot of contemplation): Zidane.
Interviewer: Zidane or Lionel Messi?
Topuria (responded quickly this time): Messi.