Ilia Topuria has shown he can beat a UFC top 5, however he will agree to face Max Holloway on one condition.
Ilia Topuria (14-0) faced the biggest test of her MMA career this Saturday June 24 when she collided with Josh Emmett (18-4) in the main event of UFC Jacksonville. Emmett had of course entered the fight looking to bounce back, having suffered a submission loss to Yair Rodriguez in a bout for the promotion’s interim featherweight title last February. The UFC Jacksonville main event turned out to be a party for Ilia Topuria. The 26-year-old put in a masterful performance against Emmett, beating the Team Alpha Male product for five straight rounds. Ilia’s performance was praised by both fans and peers alike, with many calling for him to be given the next shot at featherweight gold.
Ilia Topuria: the title or Max Holloway in Spain
Along with fighting the winner of the title fight between Yair Rodriguez and Alex Volkanovski next month, many fans have also expressed interest in seeing Ilia Topuria take on former UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway.
Ilia Topuria said on the UFC Jacksonville post-fight show that he would consider a fight against Max Holloway before a title, on one condition: it happens in Spain. Max Holloway is currently set to fight the Korean Zombie to headline the UFC’s return to Singapore in August. The Hawaiian is the historical betting favorite for this fight, and many fans have expressed their displeasure about it. That being said, there may be a chance that Ilia Topuria vs Max Holloway will take place next. However, for that to happen, the UFC will have to bring the Octagon overseas, to Spain.
