“They think I’m toast Ariel, but I’m still the bread” – these lines from Conor McGregor from all the way back in 2020 ring true more than five years later. Look no further than Ilia Topuria‘s recent statement to see why. Ilia Topuria, the Spanish-Georgian fighter who has been making waves in the UFC, is itching to get his hands on a second UFC belt. Nothing will deter him, except maybe the allure of a Conor McGregor bout.

In his latest appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience, Topuria made it clear that his primary goal is to capture the 155-pound title. However, the possibility of facing UFC superstar Conor McGregor in the Octagon is still very much on his radar. Despite positioning himself as the next challenger for the lightweight championship, it seems like ‘La Leyenda’ may change his plans if the golden goose comes knocking.

Despite his doubts, Topuria appeared to consider fighting Conor McGregor during his conversation with Joe Rogan on JRE MMA Show #166. He stayed cryptic about the specifics of the potential match, as per UFC policy, but the underlying message was evident. He said, “If they offer me a fight against Conor right now, we’ll say, ‘Why not?’ I wouldn’t say no.” Despite being past his prime and experiencing difficulties in recent years, McGregor continues to garner substantial attention in the sport.

So, obviously, Joe Rogan chimed in, claiming that even if McGregor isn’t currently the best fighter, his ability to sell millions of pay-per-view tickets makes him “the golden goose” of the UFC. The JRE host said, “Just for the numbers, to get a cut of that pay-per-view—it hits two million buys. That’s the thing about Conor. Even though he might not be the best fighter in the world right now, he’s still the golden goose. Kind of amazing, you know, that he still guarantees that many eyeballs.” This level of marketability assures that a bout with ‘The Notorious’ will be a huge payoff, attracting fans and generating immense interest.

‘El Matador’ had previously expressed reservations about fighting Conor McGregor owing to the Irishman’s actions outside the cage, but the tide looks to have shifted. While Ilia Topuria is focused on securing a lightweight title shot, the thought of sharing the cage with ‘The Notorious’ has become less unlikely. In fact, Topuria did not mince words when discussing McGregor’s potential return.

Ilia Topuria says Conor McGregor ‘will have to die’ to fight him

“If McGregor wants to beat me, he would have to die and be born again,” Topuria boldly stated, implying that the former two-division champion would need to undergo a significant transition to compete with him. The once-untouchable Conor McGregor appears to be a distant memory for Ilia Topuria, and he wants him to get back to his A-game before even thinking of fighting him in the Octagon. Topuria’s statements on McGregor’s health represent his straightforward approach to the sport.

He didn’t back down when assessing Conor McGregor’s chances of returning to peak form, brutally criticizing the Irishman’s body for the wear and strain he’s sustained as a result of his lifestyle. “His toe is f—–, his chin is f—–, his body is f—–,” Topuria said, emphasizing the toll that injuries, partying, and alleged substance usage have had on McGregor. While the Spanish-Georgian is committed to pursuing his own career ambitions, specifically a title fight against Islam Makhachev, this remains a dream fight that fans would love to watch.

However, the future remains uncertain for now. While McGregor’s health and viability are in doubt, a bout with Ilia Topuria could still be one of the sport’s most anticipated events if both men are ready to make it happen. But for now, with the Irishman’s goals being more focused on getting himself a seat in the Irish parliament, it seems unlikely that this dream bout will take place anytime soon. What do you think? Will we get an Ilia Topuria vs. Conor McGregor fight in 2025? Let us know in the comments.