Ilia Topuria shares unique reason he felt reluctant to face Max Holloway at UFC 308: "It's very hard to knock out someone like him"
Ilia Topuria has shed light on a rather unique reason that caused him to feel reluctant about fighting Max Holloway. 'El Matador' suggested that it was tough to find something bad or dislikeable about Holloway and use that as motivation to knock him out.
After months of trading barbs, Topuria defended his UFC featherweight championship with a third-round KO win over Max Holloway. Their long-awaited fight headlined UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi on Oct. 26, 2024.
Topuria is the first MMA fighter to knock the famously durable Hawaiian fighter out. Holloway won the BMF title in the lightweight division in his previous fight. After UFC 308, speculation has abounded that 'Blessed' could return to lightweight.
During a subsequent interview with ESPN MMA's Brett Okamoto, Ilia Topuria was asked about his post-knockout bow and seemingly respectful conversation with Max Holloway and his corner. Topuria explained that in many interviews, Holloway had asserted that his goal was to inspire the new generation.
Topuria recalled thanking Holloway for having inspired, motivated, and been an example for him over the course of his long and storied career. Apparently, the Georgian-Spaniard told him that he now wants to be a similar example for the new generation:
"He's been a legend in the sport and the division. I learned so many things. He's an amazing human being. How can you dislike Max Holloway? He's an amazing human being. I don't know, at some point, I would like to even spend time with him, have a friend like him. He seems to be a great guy."
When asked whether it's hard to knock an opponent out when you feel that way, Topuria said:
"Yeah. I swear to God it's very hard to knock out someone like him. Because it's like, during the week, I was trying to -- I don't know -- to find something that I don't like about Max Holloway. But it was so tough to find something about him, like, bad that it was like, why I have to face him? Why are we doing this sport? You know?"
Check out Ilia Topuria's comments below:
Watch Topuria's interview below (*comments about respect for Holloway at 0:55):
Ilia Topuria lauds Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 308
Ilia Topuria captured the UFC featherweight championship with a second-round KO win against longtime titleholder Alexander Volkanovski back in Feb. 2024. Incidentally, the Australian MMA great holds three victories over Max Holloway. Additionally, the consensus is that Volkanovski could face Topuria in a title rematch next.
During Topuria's post-fight octagon interview, UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier alluded that featherweight contender Diego Lopes had weighed in as the backup/replacement fighter for the Topuria-Holloway matchup. 'DC' added that Lopes and Alexander Volkanovski were in attendance for the event.
Ilia Topuria expressed his respect for and lauded Max Holloway, in addition to asserting that he's willing to defend his belt against both Lopes and Volkanovski. 'El Matador' then partook in a cordial face-off with Volkanovski inside the octagon, before heaping praise on him:
"We're going to do it again. You deserve that. You're the man. He defended his title seven times; I don't know how many times. If someone deserves it, it's him. So let's do it, brother."
Check out Ilia Topuria's comments about Alexander Volkanovski below (2:15):