Tensions are high in the upcoming clash between featherweight title contenders Ilya Topria (15-0) and Max Holloway (26-7).
Holloway will take on Topuria in the main event of UFC 308 on October 26th at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Topria recently accused Holloway of trying to avoid the fight from the beginning.
Holloway initially claimed he had requested a title fight against Topuria. But Topuria refuted that claim, saying challengers don’t get to make their own decisions anyway. Holloway earned his right to title contention by defeating Justin Gaethje for the BMF title at lightweight in April of this year. According to Topria, he wanted to fight Holloway as his first title defense.
According to Topuria, Holloway allegedly tried his best to avoid the fight in order to stay at lightweight. Topria claims that it was the UFC that ultimately forced “Blessed” to accept the booking.
UFC 308: Topuria vs. Holloway takes place Saturday at 2pm ET on ESPN+. Order now!
“He always avoided fighting me. He said things like, ‘I told the UFC I want the easiest fight, I want to fight Ilia Topria.'” That’s a lie. is. A challenger never chooses a fight,” Topuria told Ariel Helwani. [UFC] He told me he was asking to remain in the 155th Division to fight Michael Chandler. I don’t know if he really asked about that many guys, but they told him, “Max, you have to fight Ilia, because he wants to fight you.” So that was the end. Technically he had to accept it, but at first he was trying really hard to avoid me. ”
😬Ilya Topria claims Max Holloway was trying to avoid fighting him but the UFC forced him to fight Max:
“He always avoided fighting me… They (UFC) told me they wanted him to stay in the 155 weight class and fight Michael Chandler. Did he really ask that much? I don’t know but… pic.twitter.com/Ejk3xvOsoV
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight)
October 15, 2024
Topuria won the title with a knockout win over Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 in February of this year and is now 15-0 as a professional.
