Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway are doing a lot more finger-pointing than fighting these days.
It’s been four months since ‘El Matador’ KO’d Alexander Volkanovski in the second round of their UFC 298 headliner to capture the featherweight world title and we still aren’t any closer to seeing him defend his belt for the first time. Of course, who’s to blame for that all depends on who you’re talking to.
During a Q&A session with Marca on Wednesday, Topuria accused ‘Blessed’ of making excuses and delaying their inevitable clash.
“You need to ask that question to Max Holloway because I’ve been getting ready all summer, and just ready to get the date,” Topuria said when asked about the Holloway fight. “It’s him who is making all the excuses.
“First, it was family problems, then that he couldn’t make the weight, now that he doesn’t want to fight. There are many names out there that to the public they’re saying they want to fight, but I invite them to follow up on their words. This is what I do, this is my job. I’m ready whenever they call me.”
It didn’t take long for Holloway to catch wind of Topuria’s comments. Taking to social media, the reigning BMF titleholder snapped back at the Georgian, pointing the finger right back at Topuria and accusing the champ of making things up.
“Guy is just making things up at this stage, I been ready,” Holloway replied on X.
Guy is just making things up at this stage,
I been ready. https://t.co/pcEM4Vi98i pic.twitter.com/GkptG2kmsX— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) July 3, 2024
Ilia Topuria is Aiming to Fight Max Holloway in Abu Dhabi
When and where Topuria defends his title against Holloway is of little concern to ‘El Matador,’ but if he gets his wish, their fight would go down this October when the UFC makes its annual pit stop in Abu Dhabi.
“I aim for that location, I aim to fight in Abu Dhabi,” Topuria said. “I hope that it happens. I hope that someone takes the step forward and accepts the challenge. I’m ready.
“I’ll even take a call to fight in Las Vegas. Yeah, I have my preferences. I would like to fight in Abu Dhabi because of the time, as everyone in Spain will get to watch the event on prime time. But really, wherever they need me, I’ll be ready.”
Watch the full Q&A with Ilia Topuria below:
