Ilia Topuria dismisses a fight with Arman Tsarukyan due to past withdrawal issues and criticizes Max Holloway for claiming the BMF title despite being knocked out by Topuria.
Ilia Topuria’s got zero interest in fighting Arman Tsarukyan. Instead, he’s sending a message to Max Holloway.
The new UFC lightweight champ snagged the belt with a knockout of Charles Oliveira at UFC 317. During a chat on a Kick stream with The Nelk Boys, Topuria was asked about defending his title against Tsarukyan.
Sure, it makes sense merit-wise, but Topuria’s not keen. Especially since Tsarukyan bailed a day before UFC 311 against Islam Makhachev.
“Who gives a f*ck about him?” Topuria said. “He’s kinda weird, dude. Pulled out for no reason.”
“If you have a serious reason, like breaking your hand or leg, I get it. But me? I’d still step into the octagon.”
Topuria’s also got his sights on Holloway. Holloway had some words about Topuria claiming he’s the BMF champ, even though the belt wasn’t on the line at UFC 308.
“At the end of the day, it is what it is,” Holloway said after his UFC 318 win over Dustin Poirier. “It makes no sense carrying it around.”
“Did you see Islam Makhachev with another champ’s belt after beating Volkanovski twice? The belt wasn’t on the line. Get over it, brother.”
“El Matador” couldn’t disagree more. He was the first to stop Holloway with strikes nine months ago in Abu Dhabi.
“That’s not my problem,” Topuria said. “I knocked him out. How can you still be the BMF if I knock you out?”
“I pointed to the ground in the first 10 seconds. You ran away. Then I caught you and put you to sleep. And you’re still the BMF? How’s that?”