Ilia Topuria doubts Max Holloway will challenge him to a fight

ABU DHABI – UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria challenges Max Holloway to meet in the center of the octagon, point to the ground and throw in his trademark style. However, he doubts that will happen.

Topuria (15-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) defends his title for the first time this Saturday in the main event of UFC 308. In a heated and highly anticipated matchup, he takes on former champion Holloway (26-7 MMA, 22- 7 UFC) matchup. Both Topuria and Holloway joked about a brawl in the middle of the octagon, but Holloway said at Wednesday’s media day that he didn’t deserve a traditional Holloway shootout.

“I don’t think he deserves it,” Holloway said. “You have to earn that, and I don’t think he’s earned that right.”

Topuria responded that Holloway was actually wary of his knockout power and that the legitimate argument was an excuse to avoid a fight.

“He’s already backing out,” Topuria said at UFC 308 media day. “If he fights with me, he will already be unconscious. He is already unconscious.

“If I was a different type of fighter like Yair Rodriguez or Brian Ortega, he would say, ‘Of course I’m going to throw punches for a few seconds.’ It’s not a big deal.’ He says he’s taking a big risk, but what risk is he taking? The only thing that makes him relevant is the BMF, which he doesn’t put at risk. I’m the one who risks everything. I’m the one putting this belt on the line. I’m the one who risks everything. And even then he doesn’t want to do it. Why? Ask him. Slip a note under his door.”

Holloway also accused Topuria of being a Conor McGregor copycat, to which Topuria also had a response.

“He doesn’t even know what to say anymore,” Topuria said. “Why doesn’t he talk about what we’re here for? Which is the fight. That’s because he doesn’t see any flaws in me. He doesn’t know where to reach from. He knows I’m a lot better than him and now he has to resort to other things, just like when Conor (McGregor) said I wasn’t Spanish. Because I have no weaknesses as a fighter and am much better than them, they accept it. But we’ll see on Saturday, he shows up and I keep my mouth shut.”

For more information on the card, check out MMA Junkie’s UFC 308 event hub.