Max Holloway, who is set to face Justin Gaethje at UFC 300, has challenged newly crowned featherweight champion Ilia Topuria to a fight, accusing him of previously avoiding a match-up with him.
Max Holloway’s got a bone to pick with Ilia Topuria.
This Saturday, Holloway’s stepping into the ring with Justin Gaethje at UFC 300. They’re fighting for the “BMF” title. Although the bout’s at 155 pounds, Holloway, a former featherweight champ, isn’t ruling out a return to the 145-pound division.
He’s keeping his options open, he told reporters. And he’s got his eye on Ilia Topuria, the new featherweight champ.
“We’ll see what happens,” Holloway said during the UFC 300 media day. “Options are good in this sport. But first, I’ve got to deal with Gaethje. There’s an interesting fight at 145 pounds though. Topuria’s been talking a lot. I’m listening. My advice to him? When the contract comes, sign it. No excuses.”
Topuria claimed the title by knocking out Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 back in February. He’s been dismissive of Holloway as a potential challenger, arguing it doesn’t make sense to fight someone who’s lost to Volkanovski three times.
Holloway begs to differ. He thinks Topuria’s been avoiding him on his way up.
“Questionable,” was Holloway’s response when asked about Topuria. “He’s questionable. I’m ready to fight him. Ask him if he’s ready to fight me. I always want to fight for the title. I’ve faced a lot of contenders, but Topuria never came my way. Ask UFC about that. Ask him.”
But a Holloway-Topuria match will have to wait. Topuria’s likely facing Volkanovski in a rematch later this year. Plus, Holloway’s got Gaethje to deal with this weekend. Last time Holloway tried to move up to 155 pounds for a title, he lost to Dustin Poirier.
But Holloway insists this time’s different.
“The Dustin fight, it happened,” Holloway said. “I was ‘Muffin Top Max’ that whole camp. This fight, we’re being smart. We’re putting on the right weight, staying strong, staying fast. We’ve found a balance. You’ll see on Saturday night…”
Holloway’s all about seizing opportunities. He didn’t say no when the chance to fight at 155 pounds came up. “Real fighters stay ready,” he said. “I was ready for Dustin. A few changes, and the outcome could’ve been different. This time, we had 10 weeks. You’ll see the difference on Saturday.”
UFC 300’s happening this Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main event? A light heavyweight title fight between Alex Pereira and Jamahal Hill.