Ilia Topuria declined to choose a favorite in a potential fight between Max Holloway and Conor McGregor. When asked for his prediction, Topuria referenced McGregor's loss to Nate Diaz, saying it makes predictions difficult. The comment suggests Topuria is skeptical about making definitive statements regarding McGregor's current fighting ability. The featherweight champion's remarks were shared on social media. No official bout between Holloway and McGregor has been announced.
Featherweight — now lightweight — champion Ilia Topuria sidestepped a question about a potential Max Holloway versus Conor McGregor matchup this week, declining to name a favorite when pressed for a prediction on social media.
Topuria, 29, holds a 17-1-0 record and currently sits at number one in the pound-for-pound rankings and number two in the lightweight division. The Spanish-born fighter is known for his well-rounded game, averaging nearly two takedowns per 15 minutes and more than one submission attempt in the same span alongside a 48 percent striking accuracy rate.
Holloway, 34, brings a 27-9-0 record into the conversation and ranks fourth in the lightweight division and ninth pound-for-pound. The Hawaiian standout is one of the sport's most prolific volume strikers, landing 7.2 significant strikes per minute — a figure that ranks among the highest in UFC history.
Rather than pick a winner between Holloway and McGregor, Topuria pointed to McGregor's loss to Nate Diaz as a reason predictions are difficult. Diaz, now 41, carries a 22-13-0 record and a 76-inch reach, and has long been regarded as one of the more unpredictable stylistic problems in the sport.
Why it matters
- No official Holloway vs. McGregor bout has been announced, keeping this firmly in the realm of hypothetical discussion.
- Topuria's reluctance to weigh in signals cautious skepticism about McGregor's current place in the competitive lightweight landscape.
- Holloway's position at number four in the division means any high-profile booking around him carries genuine ranking implications.
