The UFC has been a breeding ground for ambitious, young MMA fighters, and few have risen as rapidly as featherweight champion Ilia Topuria. In just four years, ‘El Matador’ has carved out a dominant position at 145lbs, home to elite competitors like Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway. His swift ascent has drawn comparisons to Conor McGregor’s meteoric rise in the UFC.

Topuria, who once cited McGregor as an inspiration, even sports tattoos on his chest and back reminiscent of the Irish superstar’s iconic ink, leading some to dismiss him as a “wannabe Conor.” However, this so-called “wannabe” has quickly silenced critics, proving he is more than capable of stepping out of the Irishman’s shadow and forging his legacy. What was once admiration has now turned into rivalry, with Topuria and ‘The Notorious’ frequently trading verbal blows in the media.

While fans eagerly speculated about a potential matchup between the two, the Spanish-Georgian recently quashed those hopes, saying, “I am not interested in fighting a r*pist,” a pointed reference to Conor McGregor’s ongoing civil lawsuit woes. For BKFC CEO David Feldman, the prospect of a matchup between the Irishman and Ilia Topuria is nothing short of a dream. During a recent interview with EssentiallySports’ Andrew Whitelaw, Feldman was asked, “Do you have a dream signing? Can I put a name out there that you think would be epic in bare-knuckle? Ilia Topuria. How cool would it be to see him one day?” Without hesitation, Feldman replied, “I love it.”

BKFC CEO further praised Topuria’s relentless work ethic and celebrated his remarkable achievements as a Spanish-Georgian fighter, excelling in the world’s premier MMA promotion. “I have nothing but respect for him,” Feldman said, highlighting the Topuria’s inspiring journey and dedication. David Feldman then envisioned the massive appeal of a bare-knuckle showdown between ‘El Matador’ and Conor McGregor. “Imagine this: there’s a little feud—we’ve got a guy, Conor McGregor, and you’ve got Ilia Topuria. Imagine those guys banging it out in bare-knuckle. It would be unbelievable,” Feldman added, emphasizing the colossal fan interest and revenue such a matchup could generate.

Meanwhile, Ilia Topuria continues to shine in his MMA career. In October, he successfully defended his featherweight title for the first time, delivering a dominant third-round finish against Max Holloway in Abu Dhabi. With limited competition left in the featherweight division, Topuria has hinted at a potential move to lightweight, where he could challenge reigning champion Islam Makhachev. If ‘El Matador’ manages to dethrone Makhachev, he may solidify himself as the new face of MMA, potentially surpassing Conor McGregor’s legacy.

On the other hand, McGregor has struggled to reclaim his former glory. Since suffering a devastating ankle injury in his 2021 bout against Dustin Poirier, setbacks have plagued the Irishman’s career. Despite numerous announcements and attempts to make a comeback, none have materialized. UFC veteran Matt Brown, speaking to EssentiallySports, recently reflected on ‘Mystic Mac’s’ ongoing struggles, shedding light on the difficult reality facing the former champion as he tries to recapture his place in the sport.

Matt Brown sheds light on McGregor’s future

UFC superstar Conor McGregor’s rise in the Octagon was meteoric, but his downfall has been equally infamous, marked by trash talk and erratic behavior. His problematic nature has caused headaches for both his employers and associates and a tendency to backtrack on his words has only added to his reputation. This year marks the third anniversary of ‘The Notorious’s’ absence from the Octagon, with no signs pointing to his return.

Earlier this year, the Irishman expressed interest in fighting Michael Chandler at UFC 303, but an injury derailed those plans. This led UFC veteran-turned-analyst Matt Brown to cast doubt on ‘The Notorious’s’ future in the sport. In an exclusive interview with Andrew Whitelaw, Brown commented, “I don’t think Conor’s gonna fight again, to be honest. Everybody forgets he told us he’s not gonna fight. He told us he was coming in, getting money, and getting out. Those were literally the words he said. So I think he likes being in the news. I think he likes being relevant.”

How do you feel about a potential Ilia Topuria vs. Conor McGregor matchup? Would you be interested in seeing this fight in the BKFC cage? If the former two-division champion is at his peak, how do you see the fight playing out? Do you believe ‘El Matador’ could overcome the Irishman at his best? Share your prediction below.