"I'm more African than Francis Ngannou" - Ilia Topuria goes on X-rated rant in response to Conor McGregor's Spanish taunt
UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria has been in the spotlight lately. Since capturing the belt earlier this year, 'El Matador' has been trading barbs online with fellow fighters and fans.
While some are enjoying this newfound gritty personality of the champion, some might feel like he's heading toward cringe territory.
In an appearance at The Ariel Helwani Show on YouTube, Ilia Topuria responded to Conor McGregor's claim that he's more Spanish than him, saying:
"When I see myself in the mirror, below my waist, I also think sometimes Iām more African than Francis Ngannou."
The MMA community is perhaps very well aware of what the champion is implying with his racially slanted joke. What made the statement even more hilariously awkward, however, was the momentary silence right after and Ariel Helwani almost ignoring the punchline to ask a follow-up question.
Whether you love or hate him, Ilia Topuria doesn't shy away from speaking his mind, nor he's not afraid of any blowback.
Ilia Topuria takes a risky jab at UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad
Not just Conor McGregor, but the entire UFC roster isn't safe from Ilia Topuria's critical mind and sharp tongue. The Georgian-Spanish champion is instigating an online feud with champions a few weight classes above him.
One of his latest targets is UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad, whom 'El Matador' heavily criticized for his performances inside the octagon and his personal life.
Topuria made this scathing tweet:
"NO FINISHES, NO KNOCKOUTS, NO KNOCKDOWNS, NO GIRLFRIEND, NO KIDS. BELAL [Muhammad] HAS NEVER FINISHED ANY MAN OR WOMAN."
The quick-witted Muhammad made a swift comeback, replying to the tweet with:
"Now ur just copying stuff word for word off memes ..š"
When asked by Helwani where the beef with Muhammad came from, Topuria claimed that 'Remember the Name' said something in the past that offended him - prompting the UFC featherweight champ to call Muhammad a "fake champion".