Ilia Topuria retained his featherweight crown with a destructive display to dispatch decorated operator Max Holloway at UFC 308.
The 27-year-old entered yesterday’s eagerly anticipated showdown in Abu Dhabi as the UFC’s fourth-ranked pound-for-pound star, coming off a stunning performance against Alexander Volkanovski earlier this year.
But despite taking one of sport’s all-time greats, the unbeaten striker showed few signs of weakness, pulverizing Volkanovski in the second round to claim his first trinket in MMA’s flagship promotion.
And now, after successfully defending his 145 lb title, as well as adding the coveted BMF belt to his collection, it would appear that the possibilities for Ilia Topuria are endless.
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Daniel Cormier whispers in Ilia Topuria’s ear following his victory over Max Holloway at UFC 308
Topuria’s main-event clash with Max Holloway delivered what the majority of fans had anticipated: an all-action shootout between two formidable strikers.
While the Spaniard had ample success with his early leg kicks, Holloway was able to respond with several fluid combinations of his own.
But then, with seemingly nothing to separate the pair as they headed into the third round, Topuria produced a monstrous finish to end the bout in awe-inspiring fashion.
It was, as it happens, a bone shuddering left hand out of the southpaw stance that sealed his monumental victory, leaving a brave but defenseless Holloway sprawled across the canvas.
Just moments after his scintillating stoppage, though, Topuria was joined by MMA legend and esteemed broadcaster Daniel Cormier, who daringly decided to reveal that, at the time, the featherweight king’s beloved football team were losing their match 0-2.
UFC fans react to Daniel Cormier’s bold message to Ilia Topuria
Topuria is, of course, a fiercely passionate supporter of Spanish football giants Real Madrid, who ultimately suffered a crushing 0-4 defeat to arch rivals Barcelona in yesterday’s El Clasico.
And so, with former two-division UFC champion Cormier being the bearer of bad news, MMA fans have largely commended his bravery in the wake of Topuria’s victory.
On X, one fan said: “You’re a brave man doing that to Ilia after that KO.”
Another fan added: “You could catch a left hook on your chin for delivering that kind of message.”
Someone else, quite simply, said: “This is hilarious.”