Ice-cold Ilia Topuria points BMF ultimatum to Max Holloway: ‘I determine who, when, and the place’

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The title scenario is getting somewhat testy between BMF strap-hanger Max Holloway and undisputed UFC Featherweight champion Ilia Topuria.

Holloway, understandably, is on the prime of the world proper now. “Blessed” smoked Justin Gaethje on the UFC 300 major card (watch highlights), incomes the BMF belt in one of many biggest knockouts of all time and a masterclass technical efficiency. At 32 years of age, Holloway is again in prime place to contend for a title at whichever weight class he chooses, and evidently his sights are on Featherweight gold.

Initially, Topuria was bored with combating Holloway. After the Hawaiian’s large UFC 300 win, nonetheless, Topuria modified course and was keen to focus on Holloway subsequent. Nonetheless, this adjustment comes with the caveat that Topuria desires Holloway’s BMF belt to be on the road.

The end result has been a little bit of friction between the 2 champions. In a current social media put up, Topuria met Holloway’s gentle trash discuss with a reasonably merely ultimatum: put the BMF belt on the road, or else he intends to combat Brian Ortega as an alternative. Oh, and Topuria is answerable for deciding when and the place the combat occurs too.

“The one factor questionable about me is whether or not I end you by ko or submission,” Topuria wrote. “I simply beat the man that beat you not as soon as, not twice, however 3 instances. You now have the one factor that retains you related and that will grant you a cash combat, the BMF belt. I now not combat for cash however for legacy.

“Successful that belt whereas holding my title will cement me as the primary. The primary to carry each belts. The primary to knock out Volk and what most actually will occur once we combat, the primary one to place you to sleep. One thing to calm you down is that this: God doesn’t disgrace anybody. You should have a worthy defeat in opposition to a champion who will likely be remembered for eternity. I determine who, when, and the place. In case you don’t just like the phrases I’m certain Ortega will oblige.”

Technically, Alexander Volkanovski misplaced two fights by way of knockout previous to coughing up his belt to Topuria, however we’ll chalk that as much as artistic license. Trash discuss apart, there’s a related third get together right here: UFC brass, together with UFC CEO Dana White, probably have a say in who, when, the place, and what belts are on the road.

Now, Topuria does have leverage as an undefeated champion and critical European star. Holloway additionally has his leverage as a beloved former champion and present BMF kingpin. UFC has the ultimate say in really sending out contracts and reserving fights. Hopefully, all three events can come collectively, negotiate, and get one thing booked in comparatively clean vogue.

This match up could be too good to overlook.

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