Alex Volkanovski Warns Ilia Topuria Ahead Of Max Holloway Fight: ‘He’s Got That Crazy Granite Chin’

Volkanovski on Topuria's chances against Holloway: "If your biggest bet is trying to take that chin out, good luck..."

Holloway Topuria Chin
(via @iliatopuria, @blessedmma - Instagram)

Alexander Volkanovski thinks Ilia Topuria has got his hands full in his first title defense.

Holloway On The Horizon

It was Spain’s Topuria who put the finishing touches of a near four-year title reign for Volkanovski, TKO’ing the featherweight champion at UFC 298 to take up the throne. Rather than an immediate rematch with Volkanovski, all signs are pointing to Topuria defending his title against none other than the red-hot Max Holloway.

A former champ at featherweight, Holloway took a gamble on himself – going against top lightweight contender Justin Gaethje for the BMF title at UFC 300. Counted out by many, Holloway’s bid for greatness paid off with a ‘KO of the year’ candidate turned in at the very last second in his fight against Gaethje.

The fans have been waiting on Topuria vs. Holloway to get made ever since, with the UFC title fight likely to be announced any day now.

“It seems that the UFC has forced him to say yes. El Matador is back. Congratulations to all @ufc fans,” Topuria wrote on Wednesday, teasing a fight with Holloway.

“That’s A Tough Fight For Ilia,” Volkanovski On Topuria vs. Holloway

Volkanovski, of course, has shared the Octagon with Holloway three separate times and is the only featherweight to beat Holloway in the last decade (Holloway lost to Dustin Poirier at lightweight). While Volkanovski has yet to get a win over Topuria, it’s safe to say “The Great” knows Holloway and his durable chin better than anyone and believes he’ll be able to bounce the 15-0 Topuria from the ranks of the undefeated.

“Yeah, man,” Volkanovski told The Mac Life, when asked if Holloway defeats Topuria. “Both great fighters, but you know, Max, he’s proven himself time and time again, that chin…

“Ilia, he’s got obviously some power in his hands. Obviously his only chance of winning would be to catch him, I believe. And that’s no disrespect, but Max’s proven himself, right? But, you know, we know he’s got that crazy granite chin. So, if your biggest bet is trying to take that chin out, good luck. I’ve tried many times and so have many other big punchers. That’s a granite chin. I think that’s got to be pound for pound f****** best chin ever, right? Like, it’s got to be up there. It’s nuts.

“So, that’s a tough fight for Ilia,” Volkanovski added.

Max “Blessed” Holloway has never been knocked out in his 30+ fight career with his chin holding up for the most part. On paper, Holloway’s also never been knocked down, however, one could argue that statistic after the explosive Gaethje sat him down with a punch in his last fight at UFC 300, a feat Holloway won’t deny.

One-third of Ilia Topuria’s wins have come by way of knockout with many wondering if “El Matador” has got what it takes to be the first man to stop Holloway with strikes.

Published on July 25, 2024 at 5:24 pm
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