Ilia Topuria declined to choose a favorite in a potential matchup between Max Holloway and Conor McGregor. When asked for his prediction, Topuria referenced McGregor's past loss to Nate Diaz, saying it makes it very difficult to make any forecasts. The comment suggests Topuria sees McGregor's performance history as too unpredictable to confidently assess. This exchange comes amid ongoing speculation about potential high-profile matchups in the featherweight and lightweight divisions.
Featherweight-turned-lightweight contender Ilia Topuria has declined to pick a winner in a hypothetical matchup between Max Holloway and Conor McGregor, citing McGregor's unpredictable performance history as his reason for staying on the fence.
Topuria, 29, is currently ranked second in the lightweight division and sits at the top of the pound-for-pound rankings with a 17-1 record. The Spain-based fighter is known for a well-rounded game that includes nearly two takedown attempts per 15 minutes and over one submission attempt in the same span, complementing a 48 percent striking accuracy. When pressed for a prediction on a potential Holloway-McGregor fight, Topuria pointed specifically to McGregor's past loss to Nate Diaz as evidence that forecasting outcomes involving McGregor is an exercise in uncertainty.
Holloway, 34, enters the conversation as the fourth-ranked lightweight and ninth in the pound-for-pound standings, carrying a 27-9 record. The Hawaiian orthodox striker is one of the most prolific volume punchers in the sport, landing 7.2 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy, making him a credible threat at 155 pounds. Diaz, the fighter Topuria referenced, is a 41-year-old veteran who holds a 22-13 record and brings a six-foot frame with a 76-inch reach, along with the kind of durability and submission threat that has made him a career disruptor.
Why it matters
- Topuria's comments keep speculation alive around high-profile lightweight matchups without committing to any specific direction
- Both Holloway and McGregor carry significant name value that would affect divisional momentum at 155 pounds
- Topuria's refusal to engage with the prediction reflects his second-ranked position and the political sensitivity of publicly assessing potential title-picture rivals
