According to Max Holloway, current UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria is not exhibiting the qualities of a true ‘BMF.’
On April 13, ‘Blessed’ delivered a highlight for the ages at UFC 300, blasting Justin Gaethje with an overhand right to win the coveted bragging rights belt with one second left on the clock. Topuria, who was sitting front row and center for the festivities, looked like he’d seen a ghost as soon as Gaethje’s unconscious body hit the canvas.
Days later, ‘El Matador’ attempted to play down Holloway’s $600,000 performance, claiming that the fight was nothing more than a barroom brawl with no technique or excitement outside of the last 10 seconds. In the same breath, Topuria welcomed a clash with ‘Blessed’ inside the Octagon — so long as Holloway puts his new hardware on the line.
Responding to Topuria’s demand, Holloway told Jim Rome that the 145-pound champ was not being very ‘BMF’ in trying to dictate the details of their inevitable title clash.
“That’s not a very ‘BMF’ way to say it,” Holloway said. “A ‘BMF’ wouldn’t say, ‘I’m not going to fight this guy unless …’ That’s kind of un-‘BMF.’ Doesn’t sound ‘BMF’ the way he’s trying to demand it and saying, ‘I’m not going to fight.’
“A ‘BMF’ fights whatever, fights whoever, whenever, any weight, any time, and that’s not a tone of a ‘BMF.’”
Max Holloway Commends Ilia Topuria for Doing What He Could Not
During his appearance on The MMA Hour, Ilia Topuria also pointed out that he did in nine minutes what Holloway could not in 90 — referring to Holloway’s trio of losses against Alexander Volkanovski. Responding to the gibe, ‘Blessed’ was quick to commend Topuria for his accomplishment.
Holloway also gave ‘El Matador’ a not-so-subtle history lesson when it comes to comparing their resumes against one another.
“He beat a guy I couldn’t figure out,” Holloway said of Topuria vs. Volkanovski. “He fought the guy once, I fought the guy three times, and I saw him say that slick stuff took him nine minutes for what took me 90 minutes and I couldn’t do it. Something crazy like that.
“That’s funny. Last time I checked, when I was your age, I already had title defenses, buddy. So it looks like you’ve still got some catching up to do.”
