«I said it and I did it. “It has been a surprise for many people, but not for me.” With this forcefulness Ilia Topuria started her press conference after the victory against <a href="https://www.archysport.com/2022/01/great-battle-the-ufc-prepared-a-bloody-carving-for-the-spectators-and-there-were-also-real-scars/" title="Great battle! The UFC prepared a bloody carving for the spectators, and there were also real scars”>Max Holloway, whom she knocked out suddenly when no one had ever achieved end it this way. In fact, one of the most anticipated moments was the start of the fight, since Topuria had promised to go to the center of the octagon to exchange blows without quarter.
«I pointed to the center and he didn’t come. He says that El Matador was running, but The Matador does not flee from anyone», the champion blurted out. Regarding the fight, Topuria assured that he was surprised at some point, so he decided to change the strategy after having several erratic punches. After this, he even found a demolition. «I wanted him not only to be focused on the fight on his feet, but to think that a knockdown could come. “This way it would give me more options to surprise him on his feet,” Topuria explained.
«It is something that I have decided to change in my fighting style. After all those submissions, the rivals expected knockdowns and takedowns. I wanted to become a more complete fighter. From that moment, when I felt the KO, I felt like I had the power. I have become a very complete fighter and difficult to defeat. Nothing surprised me about Holloway, what I expected from him is that it wasn’t going to be easy. He is a great striker, one of the best in the division. I expected good things from him, but, at the same time, I know how to handle him,” said the Spanish-Georgian champion, who recognized that Holloway “is a legend.”
Regarding the big question that everyone is asking, that of the arrival of the UFC in Spain, Topuria pointed out that “It could be before summer”although now was not the time to talk about it, but rather to go celebrate and relax with the family. «I have a pending conversation with Dana White, if you put an octagon inside the Santiago Bernabéu the fighters look like ants, but he has reasons for doing it. I will sit with him and push towards the Bernabéu. He is the one who has the experience. I would like fight again before the summer of 2025», said Topuria.
Regarding the next rival that Topuria should face, the featherweight monarch pointed to the man from whom he took the title. A revenge, wow. «To be honest, there is no one who deserves the title more than Volkanovski. He was a great champion, he fought everyone in the division. I want to take a break, so we’ll see what happens. I may fight a new candidate, I don’t know if I will have to fight someone new,” the champion slipped.
The Madrid-based fighter, questioned about the possibility of moving up a division for more belts, recalled that he is only 27 years old and that he is in no hurry. “I’m going to go step by step,” he added. They also asked her about Conor McGregor, who posted a message on social media telling her to call him after his victory. «Let him call McGregor? “It will be for drinks, but not for anything else,” he said. Furthermore, he assured that the lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev will beat him at some point. “No one has subdued him, so I want to subdue him,” he said.
In addition, they told him that Real Madrid had lost against Barcelona 4-0 and Topuria made light of the matter with thanks. «4-0? No problem. Hala Madrid!, in any case,” he concluded.
