Although the BMF title will not be on the line at UFC 308, Ilya Topria believes it could negatively impact its relevance.
Topria will defend his featherweight title against former champion Max Holloway in Saturday’s headliner at Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena. After going 0-3 in his 145-pound title fight with Alexander Volkanovski, Holloway was on the sidelines regarding a featherweight title fight. However, things changed when Topuria defeated Volkanovski at UFC 298 to become the new featherweight champion.
Meanwhile, Holloway moved up to 155 pounds at UFC 300 and won the BMF belt with an iconic fifth-round knockout of Justin Gaethje. Topria subsequently stated that Holloway was reluctant to accept championship contention at 145 pounds, a claim he reiterated in a recent interview with CBS Sports.
“I asked about Max Holloway after he knocked out Justin Gaethje,” Topuria said. “Before that fight, I was thinking about giving up the rematch with Volkanovski or waiting for a new opponent. Max didn’t deserve that chance.” [at that time]. He had lost to Volk three times, so there was no point in playing against him. After the fight with Gaethje, he got a very exciting knockout in the last second, so I wanted to fight him.
“I’m the champion and I choose who I fight. The UFC told me they wanted me to stay in the 155-pound division and fight Chandler. They brought me a lot of names. . They basically had to force him to fight me.”
Mr. Holloway denied Mr. Topuria’s claims, pointing out that it was “El Matador” who had asked for the shot at the BMF strap.
UFC 308: Topuria vs. Holloway takes place Saturday at 2pm ET on ESPN+. Order now!
“It’s funny. He says that, but click on it. There’s an interview where he says he won’t fight me unless the BMF title is on the line. Last time I checked, BMF The title wasn’t on the line,” Holloway recently told MMAFighting.com.
“So if anyone was forced into a fight, it would be him. It came out of his own mouth. He said he wasn’t going to fight me unless the BMF title was on the line. No, buddy. I think that’s why he played himself in that song.”
Topuria won’t be able to take home the BMF belt with a win at UFC 308, but he believes the belt won’t be as prestigious if Holloway goes the way he wants.
“Why would you want to fight for a featherweight title where the chances of winning are so slim when you’re at a stage in your career where you have that belt as a BMF?” Pria said. “The only thing that makes sense to you is the BMF belt.
“Even if you don’t have the BMF belt on the line, if someone comes along and beats you, your value will be greatly diminished. Imagine what will happen after October 26th when I knock him out. Look, he won’t have anything on his belt.” I could call myself BMF now, but I’m not sure. ”
