Ilia Topuria responded to Terence Crawford’s claim that he is “nowhere near Conor McGregor’s level” on Twitter. Crawford made the comment in an Uncrowned interview after beating Canelo Alvarez on September 13, 2025, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Topuria reminded Crawford they met, and Crawford wished him luck for a fight. Topuria vowed to represent MMA against the boxer. Crawford used Topuria’s walkout song, Canción del Mariachi, for his Alvarez entrance, prompting the feud. Topuria, UFC lightweight champion, holds a 17-0 record. Crawford, undisputed super middleweight boxing champion, is 42-0.
Topuria’s Response to Crawford’s Taunt
“You say you’re an MMA fan but you don’t even know who I am,” Topuria wrote. “Interesting. The first time we met you told me Good luck this week with your fight. Your memory fails you and soon your chin will too.“I’ll represent the entire MMA community. Pound for pound No. 1 in real fights vs. the pound for pound boxer.”
You say you’re an MMA fan but you don’t even know who I am… interesting. The first time we met you told me ‘good luck this week with your fight.’ Your memory fails you… and soon your chin will too.
I’ll represent the entire MMA community. Pound-for-pound #1 in real fights vs… https://t.co/eM08eo3pBu— Ilia Topuria (@Topuriailia) September 16, 2025
Topuria ranks number one pound-for-pound in MMA. Crawford ranks number two in boxing.
Topuria won the UFC featherweight title (145 pounds) by knocking out Alexander Volkanovski in the second round at UFC 298 on February 17, 2024. He vacated the title in November 2024 after defending it against Max Holloway. Topuria then won the vacant lightweight title (155 pounds) by knocking out Charles Oliveira in the first round at UFC 317 on June 28, 2025.
He is the first UFC fighter since Conor McGregor in 2016 to hold featherweight and lightweight titles, though not simultaneously. McGregor fought Floyd Mayweather in a 2017 boxing match, losing by 10th-round TKO but earning $100 million. Topuria seeks a similar crossover with Crawford.
You’re literally an idiot pic.twitter.com/8oUMrqKful
— Ilia Topuria (@Topuriailia) September 16, 2025
