Ilia Topuria Wants Max Holloway Next, Explains Why He Didn’t Like UFC 300 BMF Title Fight

Ilia Topuria talks about life as #UFC champion, what he told himself before he made the walk at UFC 298, his reaction to UFC 300's BMF title bout, fighting Max Holloway at The Sphere, his conversation with Sean O’Malley, meeting Lionel Messi, his recent music video, and more.
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[@perry3770]

This is the only fight to make next. We need to see who is better. Ilia vs. Max.

[@floodwaters8887]

If Max doesn't get KO'd Max will win on points due to volume.

[@daytona-wp2du]

@@floodwaters8887 Someone hasn't watched topuria's fights other than him vs volk lol. Max is very hittable and he can't make a mistake against a power and technical boxer like topuria. Also Topuria's wrestling and bjj will obliterate max.

[@troyleenewgent9013]

​@@daytona-wp2dumax works him and keeps him at range. Ilia is great and I think even if he loses to max he will be the future of the divison but I think max is a bad matchup for ilia. I dont see him beating max on the feet simply bc of the length and the footwork he will have to take max down and keep him there.

[@DustinPacleb]

@@daytona-wp2du Max's footwork has only gotten better. He's not as easy to hit now as people think. Also, Ilia is still very questionable. He's super good, no doubt. But Jai Herbert rocked him and even Bryce Mitchell landed punches on him. Ilia had a good moment against a compromised Volk....so it's hard to tell how good he really is. Also, don't sleep on Max's ground game. He's a super high level BJJ brown belt. His academy doesn't promote belts like other schools do. I think this is definitely the fight to make because both guys are at the top of their game. Volk needs to recover more.

[@worldview6218]

@@floodwaters8887I used to have basically the same position, even though I did think as ungodly as max chin is it’s not out of the realm of possibility for topuria to spark him, I’m now leaning towards ilia being able to actually win a decision against max. Firstly ilia is not gaethje. He has fast hands as gaethje does, big power, but outside of leg kicks, gaethje despite accuracy being high is mostly a very basic striker, and only throws his punches in one or two shot combinations and those combinations don’t really have a lot of variety. Ilia throws accurate, fast, powerful and long boxing combinations and over the course of his fights he’s been displaying this and improving on it in every fight. I think a good example of how a max and ilia fight would look without a finish is Allen and max, and that fight was actually a lot closer then people seem to remember. Allen is good, he shares some attributes with topuria, but for the most part I think topuria especially with his boxing and his boxing defense, he’s just a far better version of Allen and in that fight, it was max volume vs the bigger impactful shots from Allen that were landing but the volume from max was enough to edge max enough rounds. Ilia even for volk who had a noticeable speed difference against max in the 3rd fight was not really easy to hit, and sure the leg kicks were mostly there but even his signature jab was missing the mark a bit and ilia on the other hand, unlike max in his most recent volk fight was able to overcome that speed of volk and footwork and actually land shots, even landing one of those long combinations I was talking about so I can see a scenario against topuria, where like against volk, topuria is really punishing max with speed and it gets to a point where even if he tanks the shots like he did with volk ye just never gets volume going, or another scenario I can see is it being a close fight, max throwing a lot of volume, topuria landing cleaner more impactful shots, but decision still going to topuria in a close fight because ilia manages to defend better against a lot of the volume from max then Allen could

[@Weezing336]

This thumbnail makes Ilia look like a James Bond villain.

[@thisisfightworld]

you know ariel had to have had that thumbnail hand selected 😂

[@windytv7511]

Worst villain ever

[@lance-biggums]

He's just very Armenian

[@livingwithsadvibes8596]

😂👍🏽😆

[@mejohn101]

his face makes him look like a james bond villain.

[@msizinkosi3481]

Crazy how quickly people forget, saying he is scared based on a 5 second video. He said he would knock out Volkanovski they called him delusional and he knocked him out cold, now they say he is delusional for saying he will beat Max, cmon

[@Allias1121]

People are too quick to forget that this guy is a killer.

[@dsan17]

I think he can beat Max but I doubt he can knock him out.

[@peteasarisi2536]

Aided by Islam' head kick... Max outclasses him post to post

[@niccolodeon2397]

@@peteasarisi2536 disagree, hes not gonna just stand there and box with max from range. He’ll get in close and his hands are fast in combos that he very well could hurt max. He doesnt throw looping shots like a gaethje. On top of him being a wrestling first background type of fighter. Very well could mix in takedowns and cause max issues that way as weve seen max strugfle with before.

[@msizinkosi3481]

@@peteasarisi2536 he wasn't aided by anything, if you cared to listen you would hv heard him in this interview saying he wants the best version of Volk when he decides to come fight for the belt again so people like you wont have excuses like this

[@Yeti_StrainofSR]

How did max look like he was in a motorcycle accident 😂 max looked damn near untouched. We must have watched a dif fight.

[@uncleslash]

He is calling Max ugly. Saying he looks like that all the time. It was a stupid diss

[@Relicon]

i could be wrong but I think he was talking about Max's face in general because of how many times he's been hit. Max legit has the record for most strikes absorbed

[@sexuallobster134679]

Maybe he just meant his leg lol

[@NRC613]

The legs ​@@uncleslash

[@user-yz9wl4vu8w]

Volk beat max ass 3x ilia starched Emmet n Volk badly back 2 back he’s vicious n better at 45 I think Max looks better at 55 that cut is hard

[@KovyH]

Dude his English is so good. Give the man his props

[@user-ry9zo6cl6k]

So r most of the Spaniards.

[@rich45davis]

@@user-ry9zo6cl6k let's be honest, no it's not, an english man teaching english in Spain.

[@user-ry9zo6cl6k]

@@rich45davis I literally just came back from holiday in Spain. I can assure you most of them speak English. You’re definitely American.

[@krisnaneruda186]

@@rich45davisit’s not fluent but definitely better than a lot of other European countries even France and Germany

[@willmckenna9423]

I just said how articulate he is! I hope he has a great career!

[@Tslice42]

Sign it, I’m a fan of this , max in spain

[@JeromeLee-wf8ws]

"LFG...." Strickland voice

[@draco2xx]

its probably going to be at the sphere🔥

[@tylerberg4832]

@@draco2xx unlikely

[@Tslice42]

Man what a good time to be a ufc fan…max vs illia or illia vs O’Malley…

[@maxlewis7833]

I honestly think either Sean or Max beats Illia

[@evanrushing7495]

Max vs O’Malley

[@Barbarossa_F]

Absolutely, love all these potential fights 💯

[@LPDunge19]

Max is the only fight that make sense

[@KeshHere]

Sean O Malley vs Max in featherweight. Striker vs Striker

[@mred7553]

Max, if you're listening. Please don't answer your phone until July 🤣 You have too many options to rush a decision on your future. 👊🔥 blessed!

[@JeromeLee-wf8ws]

Max will indeed be watching .... he mentioned he usually watch Ariel podcasts

[@fabolousjada5070]

You sound scared lol this man is the champion ya called him scared now he calling him out to a brawl from round 1 and now you telling max to run when Max was the one to call him out? Scary much?

[@arcanewondersfann1567]

thank you brother !

[@mred7553]

@@fabolousjada5070 not fear, money! July could possibly line up Poirier or McGregor. Which both will surpass the Ilia fight when it comes to money.

[@juanchavarria4263]

@@arcanewondersfann1567 max is this your sleeper account? 🤔

[@jasonred3874]

Ilia reacting to Max's knockout: 😳 😦 😨 👕 👕 👕 👖 👖 👖

[@tofumommy2167]

😂😂😅

[@arielsorto2203]

nah

[@NoahCanFB]

​@@arielsorto2203 Ilia your boyfriend or what?

[@adabsurdum3314]

Wheres the emoji wirh first one broken nose, then each bloody eye poke 😂

[@nube8840]

you should look the wrestling of Ilia, he isn't scared, he just dgaf bout max

[@lebraa]

11:50 the savage came out

[@moiseshall9372]

Let’s bang hahaha

[@jonassteinberg3779]

Yep. Epic.

[@rodgersphd5701]

Ariel was actually asking some great questions I was surprised he asked about him lookng scared

[@sexuallobster134679]

Ariel is the closest thing to a real journalist mma has. 99% of the time. People love clinging to that 1% of the time where he sucks ass. Doesn't help that most fighters have skin thinner than Conor mcgregors hair and can't handle the slightest difficult questions.

[@milojayjay]

Yeah the type of questions that “UFC” reporters are too scared to ask

[@Swaze742]

He was shocked like everyone else

[@alessandroscalora2786]

How??? This guy puts words in their mouth? Every question has a trap behind it!!! Pay attention ….sets him to say things to create attrition s the ufc brass……asks him about logistic stuff that fighters don’t decide to undermine Dana and the others

[@alessandroscalora2786]

Ariel is the furthest thing from a journalist!!!! He injects his opinions everywhere….. all he does is trying to create a “quote” or a controversy

[@tribewu3223]

Him and Chandler are delusional wanting the BMF title 😂💀

[@Mrillsick]

Chandler is about it but he loses against actual bmfs...

[@ikhan2181]

Champion vs champion....sells more ppvs duh

[@rickyayy]

Something so unlikable about him lol

[@krisnaneruda186]

He deserves it… his fighting style is exciting and he’s been dominant in almost all his UFC matches. Slept the 🐐 featherweight that beat the current BMF 3 times. & Chandler deserves a shot based on his style but too many Ls

[@alexerickson6331]

Chandler could definitely fight for it tf are you talking about. Only fights killers and his fights are insane

[@msizinkosi3481]

Ilias english is really really good, most english speakers have no idea how hard it is to learn to speak another lamguage so getting to this level of fluency takes alot of time & dedication

[@Ryan-zz5wr]

His English is not really really good…

[@gelostroyer]

​@@Ryan-zz5wreasy to say when you're native English speaker. I'd like to see you speaking georgian

[@Ryan-zz5wr]

My Georgian is really really good

[@msizinkosi3481]

@@Ryan-zz5wr this is exactly why i said english speakers have no idea cos they think everybody "should" be able to speak english when there are literally hundreds of other languages around the world. English speakers rarely learn to speak other languages so have no idea how much effort goes into it.

[@kg356]

His English is fantastic. Probably the best of any fighter who doesn't live in the US

[@thelastnwah4743]

People keep saying Topuria looked scared after the BMF fight. I disagree, if anything he looked reinvigorated, like he now respected Holloway as a potential opponent. I expected him to want to fight Holloway right after his win and I wasn't wrong.

[@bhupeshkamal5404]

He might sound arrogant but this is one of the fighters who really possesses that grit and perfect skills to back him up.

[@interestedparty7523]

Yeah, he has that confidence, WHICH YOU NEED.

[@dave9547]

He's obviously a great fighter, but he's also obviously very unlikeable. That's reality.

[@slabzzz]

Bring your last 10 seconds into the first 10 seconds of our fight. Let’s bang! 😳

[@milesdvd]

Yea i caught that savage line too lmao

[@TakeNoPrisoners]

💪🏻

[@Fitkid7672]

I like the confidence.

[@gelostroyer]

🥶

[@DrAdair1]

Yea, Max will beat his ass. Humility is about to come to Ilia..

[@kavinraj4689]

Part of me wants Ilia to win against Max just to shut up the Max fans who are saying Ilia is scared. How is he scared when he beat one of the greatest featherweights while backing it up in a big way with his buildup to the fight.

[@stevep4236]

Plus he said he wants Max next

[@juanpaul-fux_u]

​@stevep4236 rematch first buddy

[@giordano7199]

People don't know, lmao

[@robinmorales5365]

Exactly. Ilia didn’t even know the cameras were on him and he probably didn’t even know Max was calling him out either.

[@RenzaissanceTV]

Cuz he switches up really quick, first he says max doesn’t deserve a shot and he wanted to skip defending the belt and move up, and now he’s saying he wants to fight, like dude he is literally ducking people, did you not see how he looked in the crowd, tell me how that shows someone joyful to be fighting that dude

[@wisdomveritas6281]

Ilia saying Max has no technique is hilarious!!!

[@jack11643]

There's levels to boxing bro. He specified that he didn't see big power, he didn't see head movement, he didn't see major strategy (diff to tactics) Trust me when I say. Do not doubt this man

[@wisdomveritas6281]

@@jack11643 Max has been in the UFC longer than Ilia has been training MMA

[@DaFonz808]

Illia is a rookie troll. He’s gonna learn.😂😂😂

[@ConorKhabibBrunson]

If the king said it it’s true. Cope! King Ilia can we wash ur feet plz

[@deathhy7590]

he never said that lol, said the fight itself displayed no proper technique in his eyes

[@qoharjamalhaqy526]

Props to Ilia. Dude, everyone here sayin he was scared of max and was ducking him, this and that, yall wrong. This dude wants to fight max when max is coming off of a good performance.

[@demorvie]

Ilia boxing is too slick for Max.

[@cashwalker9512]

He gonna retire max just like he retired volk

[@lukeism2]

@@cashwalker9512volk isn’t retired

[@cashwalker9512]

@@lukeism2 he retired him for a year n next year he gonna finish him

[@JimmyJohnson7077]

I reckon max will pick him appart, illia tends to throw the same combination over and over again and max ain't silly...

[@kg356]

Ilia has 10x the power but I'm pretty sure he would wrestle/grapple Max

[@HawaiianDev45]

Buddy you don’t get to decide who fights for what belt 🤣🤣🤣 you’re new to this brutha

[@walterr.brewerjr.8166]

I know right, this guy has not even defended once yet! Does the champ get to direct who gets to fight or did he make this up? All I know is they dropped Sean Strickland real quick once they said he "lost" to DDP so I don't know WTF this guy is even talking about until he defends at least once. Wow

[@ben10yu]

I mean all the dagi’s do it even without belts😂

[@patricksanchez7092]

@@ben10yuthe smelly rats

[@WhySoBroken]

@@walterr.brewerjr.8166 lmao u cl0wns theres no one else in the division

[@jahsilent1]

@@ben10yu u can avoid fights as a ranked person but u cant as champ....... champ says ur best in the world, the best just fights whoever

[@Guilherme12345678987]

At first I was scared of a new 0 charisma champion like Sean o malley . Then I thought he was McGregor 2.0 fooking foony and good fighter that had ufc's luck. But then I see that he Is indeed like no other, the one and only ilia topuria what a big hearted human that represents so much for so my people. The way he got to the volk fight. The way he beat him. AND the real guy behind all that . Illia , even as a Brazilian myself that have poatan my country hero after Anderson Silva. You illia are my guy . You Represent what I wish I could do + wish to feel about my self + wish to be as a human being. Dont know if you'll ever read this but, thank you for being you , you inspire me in every way. Hope to watch you live some day

[@everything_fight_talk]

I think I am a big fan already.Good Luck champ

[@sergzz12]

O’maley is like, man, I gotta fight Merab now 😭

[@pacomermelas230]

Lmaooo fr bro u got me dying 😂😂

[@mustafakhan940]

UFC 306 is at the Sphere in September, UFC 308 at Abu Dhabi in October, UFC 309 at MSG in November and UFC 310 at Vegas in December. That leaves UFC 307 in late Sep or early Oct, so that is the perfect card to make at the Santiago Bernabeu, Real Madrid's home stadium in Spain. The card has to be headlined by Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway, and a solid co-main would be O'Malley vs. Dvalishvili to add some more spice. Get Joel Alvarez on the card against a ranked lightweight too like Dober or Green. Banger.

[@dynamitenight8557]

Saying Max has no technique is disingenuous. I can’t tell if he really believes that or if it’s just his standard disrespect like he did in the lead up to the Volk fight. Also, I think he’s mistaken if he thinks he’s calling the shots. With that said Topuria is very respectable in alot of ways. Dude is an elite striker. He’s gonna be tough to deal with.

[@issacojeda5056]

I can’t wait for this fight

[@jlwavy]

I like how he wants Volk to take even more time. Shows he really wants to beat him at his best form 💯and saying he wants Max to point in the center at the start of the fight 😂 savage🔥

[@vipset87]

That's after his initial reaction saying he'd never ever do that. He saw the overwhelming feedback from the community and now he's changing tunes. Yeah real savage mentality

[@JeromeLee-wf8ws]

Ikr.... what a lad

[@H-Town_83]

Everyone knows that when you get KOd flat, you need 8 weeks, no training, then probably 6-9 months, no fights. I didn't like him to fight Ilia the first time.

[@OoLiiMiiT3D]

Brother he knows Volk is done either way. Volk can choose between coming back too early and get knocked out again, or he heals up and waits until he is old and gets knocked out too. Either way Volk will never be the same like before he fought Islam. Time isnt on Volks side, and recovery at that age is very unlikely.

[@user-tx6zl1yq5s]

@@OoLiiMiiT3Dlol keep the same energy after volks next win

[@lagravitas3267]

Big Ilia fan here but Sir, you are a bonafide Clout chaser. First he said he didn’t care to give Max a title fight or even entertain the thought. Basically big timing everyone. Now max is the talk of the entire world and bigger than him who is the champ, now he wants him... of course! Careful how you speak when you think you’re up there and above all else so don’t look silly when things turn around.

[@philldag9212]

Regardless if he wants him or not that’s the next fight so he might as well just dive into a man come on use your head

[@djgq1007]

Exactly, I hope they make this fight. Hopefully Max gets it done.

[@zotirides9293]

Some part of his talk is a part of the game, in fact he is respectful to all his opponents.. if you are a big fan you should know this

[@lagravitas3267]

@@zotirides9293 Bruh, he isn’t the star Max is, he is new on the block with his UFC resume. Respecting your opponent isn’t claiming none of them (in your division) deserves to fight you for the belt you just won. He literally said that about all the contenders in his division because he wanted the big money fight with Conor. Please don’t tell how to be a fan of whoever. Unlike you I can support a fighter, be a fan and still speak truth without being cut up in celebrity worship. I am a fan of the SPORT first! Even fighters who have cleaned out their division twice don’t talk them down like that. Let alone a new first time Champ. I know my stuff man.

[@lagravitas3267]

@@philldag9212 You missed my whole point with your air mattress head.

[@user-ds7ei2bq1u]

After this I liked Topuria,regardless the fact he is already a great fighter,he speaks like a genuine champ

[@obsstone7556]

Casual

[@braylenmoss]

How tho entire time he making fun of max and saying he has no technique lmao

[@selaima]

Topuria was just quiet during the whole fight studying Max every move. People be saying it's because he was scared. No! He is a cunning smart fighter. That's who he is. Congratulations to Max on that knock out and I am looking forward for the real entertaining fight ever! 👏

[@JimmyJohnson7077]

What he was Studying the words out of Max's mourh??

[@benhuang2347]

It's funny that before this fight, the bmf title was like wbc franchise champion, now everyone wants to fight for it. Max made it valuable.

[@mohammadm6068]

He’s shaken. Talking about how he’s strategic on one hand then bang with me in the first 10 seconds. I don’t think ppl that don’t do it fully grasp how much bigger max is than him and how much length and experience and using the size correctly matters in mma

[@kevinmorgan2052]

like it mattered with the size and length against volk? I think it could go either way but saying he's shaken is ridiculous man. This guy finishing nearly all his fights and ko volk in the second round. he ain't shaken over anyone.

[@jack-yi1sy]

Jai's bigger than Max. I think if Ilia doesn't stick to his ground game he's going to lose a decision. It has been said for so many fights that Max is going to get knocked out or his chin will crack and it's never happened. He has four fights against Dustin, Conor, and Justin with only a single knockdown against these guys (he got up instantly) that the fanbase and roster acknowledge as great knockout artists. Topuria did well to set up his knockout against Volk, but if you fall in love with your hands and expect it to work on everyone, someone like Max can come around and suddenly you don't find that knock out. Max has gone 5 rounds 9 times and arguably has the best chin in the UFC. Topuria has 8 submission wins and good wrestling. Topuria on paper has the tools to get this to the ground where he has an advantage, but if he keeps it standing to prove a point I think he loses. He lost the first round on all 3 judges' scorecards against Volkanovski and the second round looked like it was heading in the same direction. It's dumb to say "Volk was winning until he wasn't" but I think we can take away from that fight is that he spent a lot of time looking to set up that knockout and losing rounds to do that could be seriously ill-advised against Max. Max doesn't have the wrestling that Volk has and Volk doesn't have the chin that Max has.

[@mohammadm6068]

@@jack-yi1sy excellent assessment

[@milojayjay]

@@kevinmorgan2052 Max just recently started sparring again for this fight. I think if he would’ve actually sparred in preparation for his Volk fights, it would’ve been a lot closer.

[@ricardocastaneda4541]

Topuria has multiple countries behind him, he wants the BMF belt so he’s willing to stand toe to toe . Max did great at 155 when he comes back down to 145 he will get k.o

[@julianz.9164]

Ilia don't deserve a BMF fight yet, he needs a lot more brawls in the ufc to deserve the BMF

[@user-ji9xr5dr4o]

unfortunately he KOs his opponents fights doesn't go to distance its up for his opponents

[@slabzzz]

I guarantee Max will not be pointing at the center of the octagon calling for a slugfest with Ilia.

[@ghost_ronin]

LOL Max just put away a dangerous striker who puts away other dangerous strikers. Max ain't afraid of a guy smaller than Lionel Messi 😂😂😂😂😂

[@kevensnyder5512]

I guarantee you he will

[@fuzzywuzzy0549]

@@ghost_ronin Max wasn't afraid of Volk who also happens to be smaller than Messi also. we will see, the fight will happen soon. Ilia will crack Max imo.

[@ghost_ronin]

@@fuzzywuzzy0549 Ilia definitely couldn't do what Max did to Justin.

[@braylenmoss]

Justin hits harder than illia lol and max points to the center with everyone guarantee you he will he not Afraid he a real bad mf

[@willmckenna9423]

He is really articulate in his speech! I think he might be around for a while. I would love for him to fight Max! Him against Suga in Spain is the most interesting though!

[@JeromeLee-wf8ws]

Max is the better option for him

[@falsefaces659]

Suga sleeps him in the first round

[@mjohnston8313]

​@@JeromeLee-wf8wsit's not his option. It's Max's option.

[@TheGangster-ir4gs]

​@@falsefaces659he will choke out suga in first rnd lol

[@jsmoothatp]

@@TheGangster-ir4gsaccording to Tim Welch they’ve been hiding Sean’s ju jitsu for a surprise

[@jillgruner7836]

I love his confidence that's what gets you to a win!

[@jd0696]

…. Or become a meme. Lol.

[@vineezyproductions9638]

@@jd0696sweet dreams hill

[@Christopher-hv3xj]

Illia is a good dude, happy to give Volk rematch but also said he needs the time to recover. He's not a opportunist.

[@thehunt8936]

Ilia and Max would be a cracking fight tbf, Ilia would test that chin, hope they do it after Volk rematch

[@moseedwardnewton2468]

Justin just tested it 🤔

[@thehunt8936]

@@moseedwardnewton2468 barely

[@OoLiiMiiT3D]

@@thehunt8936it was a good test. Most people would have been wobbled. That punch was so hard, it knocked Max' legs away and he just stood up, not even really hurt. He probably was seeing a flash for a moment, but that recovery and instantly being aware again is pretty rare. Anyone without a chin would have been in trouble.

[@jahsilent1]

@@thehunt8936 there is no volk rematch rn lol

[@mystermont2019]

Volk needs more time. Volk coming off 2 KO losses he needs a long recovery. Max vs Ilia should happen first before the Volk rematch.

[@bachiwar6555]

Ilia by whatever he wants

[@marcosbautista6298]

Zesty ahh thumbnail New mythical fighter: zesty Ilia

[@DavanteDavidson]

Man when illia said lets bang the first 10 seconds was so coldddddddd

[@mariolobos7120]

Dudes English has really improved

[@H-Town_83]

11:22 😂😂😂 they hid you from Max to build a champ, not the other way around.

[@falsefaces659]

Correct this guy's is so delusional.

[@hawkahu523]

Yeah and finished the guy who max couldn't beat in 3 fights lmao

[@Ghostkid6598]

Why would topuria be scared after he KO the FW goat

[@fabolousjada5070]

Huh? He beat the man that whooped your boy 3 times

[@H-Town_83]

@Ghostkid6598 I didn't say he's scared. I said Dana hid him from Max. Dana said he kept making contenders fight Max like Arnold Allen, Yair and Kattar at the time was in line. Dana didn't want Max to beat him.

[@sandrovaro]

I believe he will KO max!!! ))

[@BryanKlean]

good for him and his family man what a guy

[@ed-gn6kl]

I don’t underestimate this guys stills. Might be the cleanest boxer in the ufc. Problem for him though is that max has an unreal chin and will put a pace on ilia. Great matchup

[@Zakhtv]

Ilia isn't a Boxer he's a wrestler but he can box high level

[@pon8255]

I cant be the only one that thinks Max cutting down to 145 would be risky as hell. He looked so crisp against Gaethje and some of maxs weight cuts looked straight up unhealthy. I think its best for him to stay at 155.

[@Drewthommo]

💯 Max should challenge topuria at 155 for the BMF , better chance for him than 145

[@kg356]

Max fought Korean Zombie at 145 in August 2023, just 8 months ago. He can make 145 just fine.

[@vanobasilidze1469]

@@Drewthommo makes sense for max in 145 he has no chance

[@billyboyobum4193]

Topuria doesn’t deserve a shot at BMF, Mexicans rolling with Max

[@krisnaneruda186]

Then Max doesn’t deserve a title shot

[@billyboyobum4193]

@@krisnaneruda186 you’re smoking, he’s been at the top of the division and has dominated everyone at 145 besides Volk.

[@TakeNoPrisoners]

@@krisnaneruda186exactly well said bro, dude who lost 3 title fights come on..

[@saynotothegreatreset]

​@@billyboyobum4193 lol

[@braylenmoss]

@@krisnaneruda186topuria doesn’t deserve a bmf shot cause he just joined the mf ufc he can’t be a bmf he ain’t beat enough people for that title lmao and max had cleared out the entire div for so long only guy he lost to is volk he deserves the time shot no doubt it’s not even a question lol.

[@thestoik5440]

Ariel asking him in the end, how do you not let your head get too big is so clever.

[@bsyanz7]

cuz it already is

[@joeygladish1012]

this is an incredible time for enormous fights. Sitting back and looking you have 3 weight classes essentially merging in the near future w 35,45 and 55 all playing host to monumental title fights

[@Karen-pu1kz]

Be serious Max is not on Ilia level he will be champ for a long time

[@ucheabengowe5770]

One minute you say he doesn’t deserve a title shot with you the next you’re going to watch him fight so you can fight him next.

[@relaxer5312]

Thats what having another belt on the line does, he just said that if he doesn’t put the bmf on the line there is no fight

[@LuisRamirez-hz2xf]

The Great Spanish Georgian Champion! Respect ✊

[@bobsapp3133]

bro he's not Spanish at all. he was born and raised in Germany to Georgian parents. Moved to Spain when he was 15. Not a drop of Spanish blood in him.

[@mohamedsaeed2301]

The fight was bad until the last 10 seconds I agree

[@Platinum_Z]

Topuria will spark Max out.

[@JeromeLee-wf8ws]

I could see that....

[@falsefaces659]

If Justin couldn't do it this little fake non tested clown for sure not

[@kevensnyder5512]

Nah.. Max beats Illia

[@Artist.Unknown]

Couldn’t even knock Josh emmet out but since yall think he cracked an already compromised volk chin he’s gonna knock the dude who’s never been knocked out before. If Justin couldn’t do it. Ilia ain’t doing it

[@ajay1888]

Max could sleep him too 🤷 I can see it going either way. Time will tell, but sleeping on max is crazy.

[@ItsEthanMane]

This is gonna be a banger💥

[@daniellg3319]

This guy is an incredibly skilled striker and levels above any other guys in that division and we will find out soon when he fights Max

[@LimerickR266]

Imagine Topuria vs Holloway in football stadium in Spain! That would be huge!

[@ThibDelv]

Ilia will submit holloway easily

[@ricardocastaneda4541]

Topuria k.o Volk more of a BMF than max k.o a battered Justin gathje

[@user-xp4uh1ob2j]

This man's technique and killer instinct is first class 👌

[@LaybackMMA]

Yes they call Ariel the mister 10 second with his right hand

[@rodolfcanhe8637]

mad thumbnail😂

[@Nyorner]

Like a gay scam artist

[@drewgrffn3880]

The thumbnail 😂

[@stewmatter2287]

We just gonna pretend like illia didn’t look terrified when they panned to him in the crowd after max’s ko

[@thalitaroque6366]

THat mentality is of a Chosen one, I am already UFC World Champion, now I want to be a legend, and I am in the process.

[@danielross2867]

Holloway vs Topuria in the Sphere is going to be a banger

[@jamescundiff3264]

Sounds like that's what UFC wants.

[@Sasquatch10]

The good thing about the sphere is they can make the outer shell look like a Hawaiian beach or the Bernabao

[@l-royparker1990]

This dude has made me a fan. His humility and know IQ of the game not just the talk but his knowledge is next level. I’m a fan of

[@benjaminrichard7741]

Great interview!🎉

[@albykuruvila1385]

I hope he knocks Max out to shut these people up. People talking way too much now.

[@securethebag1613]

11:50 Lets bang!

[@MachTuck]

Sooo confident!! ...and he backed it up last time! :))

[@maheshpun4804]

Thumbnail looks like Ilia thinking 'you guys seriously think i am scared of Max?'

[@depthsofhell]

so what i gather is ilia asked for max and got bryce and josh instead and he is so confident in his abilities that he asks max to give him free shots from the first bell to prove himself..and this is the guy that luke thomas is blowing all over seems about right

[@cashwalker9512]

Thank you

[@tbtnumbah8]

Wow bruh he sounds extremely envious of Max that’s a horrible trait for a man to have feminine like Energy

[@Chris-sv8ty]

He is the only person on earth that didn't like that fight

[@BlackGeniusGod]

He is the champion why would he be envious of max

[@c.anderson3444]

He speaking real fight talk.... drama queen fanbois of Max and Volk will never ever get it.

[@user-qi9fd5oz8t]

@@BlackGeniusGod because hes a wannabe he has no personality

[@s3rz324]

@@Chris-sv8ty he said he liked it as a fan but didn't like his performance. as a competitor. And let's be honest if Gaethje didn't decide to throw down with Max, it could have been an unanimous decision for Max, not as impressive.

[@daytona-wp2du]

Did people forget about Topuria's boxing skill/power and wrestling/bjj? Recency bias is slowly dying down after the Holloway ko and now people are starting to realize that Topuria will be the first fighter to crack holloway's chin badly lol.

[@screamskilos3951]

Ilia fought against a shell of the volkanovski max fought. Islam cracked his chin, ilia shattered it.

[@szaret1]

@@screamskilos3951 Why you say he fought against a shell of volk? I think illia just made volk look like a shell of himself, just like volk made max look like a shell of him self. Objectively in their prime illia is faster and more powerful than volk and thats exactly what we saw

[@billyboyobum4193]

Based off what exactly? You think Topuria actually hits harder than Gaethe? Man hasn’t fought any of the elites besides a broken volk. Max destroys this bum

[@Doomztown385]

You’re definitely one of the guys who said Justin was gonna be the first to crack Holloway’s chin

[@shechoosinme]

@@screamskilos3951this ilia beats any version of volkanovski.

[@novemberjohns672]

They genuinely need to decide if the BMF title is going to be a defendable belt, or a randomly awarded trophy.

[@ryanbuckner2405]

I will say that illia vs Max at the sphere is FIRE!!

[@fuckoffgoogle6513]

20:21 “they call you the Mr. Ten seconds?” No they don’t, only Ariel’s wife does. 😂

[@ItsameAlex]

rude

[@akashmurali3283]

@@ItsameAlexsoft

[@Alexidrum]

Alex Pereira vs Ilia Topuria. Let's make it happen.

[@soimniattoumani8479]

Topuria don't have the size but topuria would kill him 😂

[@meatrocket6979]

No Islam vs topuria

[@kelakogreenaddict1888]

thumbnail done ilia dirty lmao

[@joshuamatheron1]

Remarkable English considering it’s his third language. Max was impressive Saturday but this guys the real deal. Should be interesting.

[@RohitYadav-ln6em]

Max has Only Boxing 🥊 He beats Justin But He Never Going to beat Guys Like Ilia , Islam , and the Guys Who has many Technic ,,,

[@Drewthommo]

Justin is an accomplished wrestler & Usman said he should have used his wrestling against Max

[@bottle_coke]

Ilia looking like a jealous salty ex girlfriend on the thumbnail

[@shelleycline3542]

Ya the guy who clocked out the guy who beat Max 3 times and is the current champ with millions of fans already is salty. Lol

[@fabolousjada5070]

Salty how lol man came out to a football field with the whole stadium cheering

[@Stylebender1989]

​@@shelleycline3542 Yall get pressed for anything it's hilarious 😂

[@joshuaalexander148]

Ilia is too arrogant to say he wants to stand with max, his path to victory is to wrestle. You don’t want to stand and strike max especially after that victory on Gaethje. Will be a rude awakening if he decides to try and prove a point. He needs to stay defending and stop trying to be the fight maker. He’s holding up the division like this.

[@toogoodtobeshoe1748]

Thumbnail makes Ilia look like the friend-zoned feminist.

[@JrE-il7cf]

Max: Theres a el matador! And he's running from abus!

[@Themangodblessed]

He is, he needs to fight abus and become 4 division champ

[@JeromeLee-wf8ws]

El matador is Blessed

[@kevin41780]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@joksimradovic4040]

a bull :D

[@sebastianmkhosana9739]

Correction: he said there's a el matador at 145 running away from a bull.

[@cvqtkokirilov]

"Did you just get married?! Yeah, she wanted to see if I will become the champion." :D

[@cvqtkokirilov]

When you want to wear red panties on your wedding :D

[@Drewthommo]

GOLDDIGGER 😅

[@RaoVenu]

Max can fight for the title in either 145 / 155. The path his potential opponent will take is to grapple with him instead of striking. My suggestion to Max would be to learn to stuff takedowns and to fight Topuria first. I don't think Topuria's grappling is anywhere close to Islam's level. The other option is to wait to see if Porier gets lucky and knocksout Islam in June. If he does, Max can have a rematch

[@davidadamashvili2894]

We love you Ilia, you are the man.

[@cody3335]

I really think unless max can control the distance illia is going to hurt him bad. If he stops that then he has to deal with his wrestling. I really think they’re such a good match up for each other.

[@burlhorse61]

i think Illia is a better striker-plus he hits harder

[@1akerFan24]

Max will control the distance and put Ilia to sleep, ilia just bullied volk he won’t be able to do that to max

[@steveoishere]

The BMF belt will 100% not going to be involved with this fight! I don’t think he understands how the UFC works yet 😂

[@Drewthommo]

💯 BMF is all about having proved yourself after years of being a badass, brutal , toe to toe fighter . ilia is a rooky & is not even close to having a Badass rep LOL

[@GeraldHasani]

I really respect Tuporia after this, especially after he said about Volk and Max. He paid his dues and respect where needed. Also, as a champ, I hear that, he wants to add another belt, no issues with that whilst Volk rests and recovers if he needs it.

[@user-tx6zl1yq5s]

His English got alot better

[@thelevelbeyondhuman]

Love ilia. No offense to Volk but he’s making FW exciting again

[@joondagoon6774]

Agreed fw has never been the most exciting since Conor came and destroyed everyone

[@21DMN]

Haters gonna hate because he only say the thruth

[@sexbuffet]

speak for yourself lol, every single one of volk's fights was entertaining af

[@joeciocco457]

No technique and strategy? This guy can't be that clueless.

[@JeromeLee-wf8ws]

He's that talented, yeah?

[@tirve]

never thought that MAYBE he has some clue considering he's 15-0 AND easily beaten every featherweight he's fought?? 😂😂

[@fabolousjada5070]

Have you seen max in his past fights lol Kattar made him bleed The Mexican too Volk You act like max is gonna ko this man lol ilia will spark him

[@meatrocket6979]

@@tirvehe didn’t beat everyone easily josh emmet was winning a bunch of the rounds against topuria

[@mhndev]

​@@meatrocket6979Josh Emmett?? Lmaoooo that dude ended f_cked up like a potato bag against Topuria WTF u talking about?

[@elcoqui5932]

Topuria, vs holloway,, at 155 pounds for bmf belt would be the perfect fight weight for both of them...and this will be very big main event fight ,,

[@relaxer5312]

Then there is no fw belt on the line, not happening

[@zte7198]

I love Ilia waiting for Ariel to reply just to keep his thought going lol

[@BiteVision]

Lol ilia has no say in anything right now . If I’m max Holloway I’m calling out conor . Dana will definitely give him that fight if he wanted it

[@jsmoothatp]

You think Conor would want to fight at lw for max

[@saynotothegreatreset]

Max will be waiting 2 years like chandler did