Ilia Topuria has moved on from the Conor McGregor struggle – for now.
Featherweight champion Topuria (15-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) has lengthy expressed curiosity in preventing the game’s greatest star, however with McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) but to return, “El Matador” is beginning to lose curiosity.
McGregor was scheduled to return from a three-year layoff in opposition to Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in June, however withdrew after breaking his pinky toe. McGregor is eyeing a December return, however UFC CEO Dana White isn’t as hopeful.
“I wished it earlier than, however proper now he appears to be retired,” Topuria instructed MMA Junkie. “For the way lengthy he didn’t struggle? For 3 or 4 years? One thing like that. As soon as I’m going to see him again within the recreation – as a result of proper now at this level, he doesn’t should share the octagon with me. I’m the world champion. He was, however proper now he’s no one. He’s not even ranked. So if he comes again, he places himself into the rankings, why not?”
Topuria makes his first title protection in opposition to Max Holloway within the UFC 308 headliner, which takes place Oct. 26 at Etihad Enviornment on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+).
With the likes of bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley aspiring to struggle him, Topuria says he has loads of massive matchups on the horizon.
“At this level, it’s like I’ve larger fights forward,” Topuria mentioned. “The struggle with Sean O’Malley is larger, the struggle with Max Holloway is larger, the struggle with Islam (Makhachev) is larger. Proper now, Conor doesn’t symbolize anything than medication and alcohol.”
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