From 2012 to 2024, Max Holloway fought the best of the best featherweights who competed under the UFC banner. He’s lost his fair share of bouts but maintained one particular record intact. Holloway never succumbed to a knockout defeat, but guess what? Ilia Topuria is looking to make a statement, claiming that his “power” isn’t something ‘Blessed’s former rivals possessed, not even Conor McGregor.

Yes, Conor McGregor is one of the few stars who’ve got the better of Max Holloway in the latter’s entire UFC run. In fact, ‘Blessed’ was the Irishman’s second UFC opponent, but failed to get past him and ended up losing to a unanimous decision. Others like Alexander Volkanovski also tried to put Holloway to sleep but Ilia Topuria doesn’t think they have what he can bring to the table.

“No one of them has the power that I have in my hands. no one of them has the skills I have,” said a confident ‘El Matador’ during the UFC 308 press conference. Also, he mentioned how the cards were stacked against him in his last fight against Alexander Volkanovski until he slept with the former king to become the new featherweight champion. He believes this time, the win over Max Holloway with a knockout will certify his status as the undisputed ruler of the 145’ers.

“Guys, listen, listen, listen. I have been saying the same thing with ‘Volk’, you all had the same energy in fight [and] the same energy in this one. But you’re gonna change your mind after this Saturday night,” Ilia Topuria added. Besides, if he cannot knock Holloway out, Ilia Topuria has another idea, and that is to make use of his ground game.

Ilia Topuria claims to have a good ground game besides his striking prowess

The Georgian-Spaniard spoke to veteran combat sports journalist, Kevin Iole when he revealed that he has more than one way to beat Max Holloway. Given that Holloway is one of the best strikers ever in the UFC, it could get a bit tough to land some real hard shots on ‘Blessed’. If that doesn’t work, Ilia Topuria has promised to take Max Holloway down and seems pretty confident in his abilities to earn a submission win over Holloway. Interestingly, the BMF champion has been finished just once in his UFC career, by Dustin Poirier, via submission and that was way back in 2012. Is that his kryptonite?

“I can take the decision to take Max down whenever I want. As soon as I take that decision, I will submit him. As soon as he touches the ground, he will be submitted,” Ilia Topuria stated. Well, it may be unwise to not take that threat seriously because ‘El Matador’ has a rich background in Greco-Roman wrestling and even has a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Things will get pretty clear when they step inside the Octagon this weekend as we wait to see who gets the better of their rival.

Do you think Ilia Topuria will succeed in his first title defense? Let us know in the comments down below.