Ilia Topuria stated he never closes the door on opportunities like a potential fight with Conor McGregor. The featherweight champion acknowledged they are not currently on the same level but noted McGregor's popularity and relevance in fight discussions. Topuria's comments suggest he would be interested in the matchup despite the competitive concerns. No indication was given that such a fight is being actively discussed or planned. The statement reflects Topuria's openness to high-profile opportunities regardless of competitive rankings.
Ilia Topuria has said he would not rule out a fight with Conor McGregor, even while conceding that the two men are not currently operating at the same competitive level.
Topuria, the pound-for-pound number one fighter in the world, holds a 17-1 record and currently sits ranked second in the lightweight division. The 29-year-old from Spain, who trains out of Climent Club and fights out of an orthodox stance, is one of the most dangerous finishers in the sport, averaging 4.81 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy while also threatening with nearly two takedowns per 15 minutes.
McGregor, 37, carries a 22-6 record and remains one of the most recognizable figures in combat sports history. The Irishman, who fights southpaw out of SBG Ireland, built his reputation on explosive striking, posting a significant strike rate of 5.32 per minute at 49 percent accuracy across his UFC career. He does not currently hold a divisional ranking.
Topuria acknowledged McGregor's enduring popularity and relevance when the subject of a potential matchup came up, stating he never closes the door on opportunities of that kind. He did note the gap between where each man stands competitively right now, but framed it as a factor rather than a hard barrier.
There is no indication that any formal discussions around the fight are taking place.
Why it matters
- Topuria is the pound-for-pound number one contender and any opponent he chooses carries enormous promotional weight
- McGregor has no current ranking, making this a prestige matchup rather than a title-relevant one
- Both fighters are primarily strikers, which would make for a stylistically compelling contest on paper
- The comments reflect Topuria's willingness to weigh star power alongside competitive merit when considering future opponents
