Ilia Topuria has commented on the possibility of fighting Conor McGregor. Topuria stated he never closes the door on such opportunities, even though they are not currently on the same level. He acknowledged McGregor's popularity and that people still talk about him. Topuria indicated openness to the matchup despite the competitive disparity. The post included fan reactions questioning whether such a fight would make sense.
Ilia Topuria has expressed openness to a potential fight with Conor McGregor, though the reigning pound-for-pound king was candid about the gap between where the two men currently stand in the sport.
Topuria, 29, holds a 17-1 record and is ranked second in the lightweight division while sitting atop the UFC's pound-for-pound rankings. The Spanish-Georgian fighter, who competes out of Climent Club in Spain, stands five-foot-seven with a 69-inch reach and has built his reputation on well-rounded offensive output, landing 4.81 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy while also averaging nearly two takedowns per 15 minutes. He acknowledged McGregor's enduring cultural presence and the fact that fans continue to discuss the Irishman, but was direct in noting the two are not currently competing at the same level.
McGregor, 37, carries a 22-6 record and remains one of the most recognizable figures in combat sports history. Fighting out of SBG Ireland, the southpaw stands five-foot-nine with a 74-inch reach and posted a striking accuracy of 49 percent across his career, with a significant strike rate of 5.32 per minute. He has not competed since suffering a leg injury in July 2021, and no divisional ranking is currently attached to his name.
Despite that context, Topuria indicated he does not close the door on such opportunities, framing it as an openness rather than an active pursuit.
Why it matters
- Topuria is positioned near the top of a loaded lightweight division, making any non-contender detour a significant talking point among fans and analysts.
- McGregor's lengthy absence from competition means a fight would carry enormous commercial weight but little ranking consequence.
- The acknowledged level difference, stated by Topuria himself, reflects how far the division has moved since McGregor last competed.
