Ice-cold Ilia Topuria issues BMF ultimatum to Max Holloway: ‘I decide who, when, and where’

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

Holloway, understandably, is on the high of the world proper now. “Blessed” smoked Justin Gaethje on the UFC 300 essential 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 it appears that evidently his sights are on Featherweight gold.

Initially, Topuria was tired of preventing Holloway. After the Hawaiian’s massive UFC 300 win, nevertheless, 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 consequence has been a little bit of friction between the 2 champions. In a current social media publish, Topuria met Holloway’s delicate trash discuss with a reasonably merely ultimatum: put the BMF belt on the road, or else he intends to struggle Brian Ortega as an alternative. Oh, and Topuria is accountable for deciding when and the place the struggle 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 may grant you a cash struggle, the BMF belt. I not struggle for cash however for legacy.

“Profitable 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 struggle, 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 resolve who, when, and the place. If you happen to don’t just like the phrases I’m positive Ortega will oblige.”

Technically, Alexander Volkanovski misplaced two fights through 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, possible 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 easy vogue.

This match up could be too good to overlook.

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