Ilia Topuria Confirms Max Holloway’s BMF Belt Is Not On The Line At UFC 308

Ilia Topuria’s first featherweight title defense against Max Holloway won’t come with any added benefits.

‘El Matador’ shocked the world when he knocked out long-time champion Alexander Volkanovski in the second round last time out. The Spaniard has since been looking to face Holloway and is keen to challenge for the BMF title, although that now seems unlikely.

Discussing his upcoming title defense, Ilia Topuria revealed that the BMF belt will not be on the line at UFC 308 on October 26.

“No, the BMF title will not be on the line,” Topuria confirmed. “To be honest, I don’t care.”

“They made that decision and at the end of the day, when I beat him, he can (stay) the BMF or (whatever) they want to call him.”

“I’m just focused on defending my title and that’s it. I don’t care about anything else.”

Ilia Topuria Confirms Max Holloway’s BMF Belt Is NOT On the Line #UFC308 and promises “I’ll knock him out in the first round.” 😳

(via @MikeBohn) pic.twitter.com/q9rGW3pwzE

— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) August 21, 2024

Topuria then reiterated his belief that he would become the first to knock out Max Holloway.

“No doubt about it. What makes me very excited about this fight is that no one has been able to knock him out.”

“I can’t not knock him out. I’ll be the first one to knock him out because every time I watch him fight, I think I’m way better than him.”

“If you put me with him only in kickboxing or boxing, even in a chess match, I beat him. Whatever you want to do, my boy, I beat you.”

Related: Conor McGregor Doesn’t Consider Ilia Topuria a Champion

Topuria then criticized fans who think Holloway is one of the best boxers in the sport.

“They don’t know anything about boxing. They don’t know anything about mixed martial arts. They don’t know anything.”

“Who gave you that opinion? People who never train a day in their lives. It’s just a matter of time.”

“I respect Max Holloway. He’s a great fighter, he’s given us great fights. He seems like a good person. I respect him but I feel like I’m a lot better than him everywhere else.”

“It will be a real masterpiece. You will see. I will knock him out in the first round, there is no doubt about it.”

Watch the full video below.