– Topuria talks too much. […] He still hasn't fought the best fighters. If he beats Max [Hollowaya – przyp. red]then I will start respecting him. Max has never been knocked out. That's why he will be a difficult rival for Topuria – this is what Cristiano Ronaldo said at the end of October about the main event of UFC 308, where Ilia Topuria (16-0) faced Max Halloway (26-8). The Portuguese is a big fan of combat sports and has been a guest at various galas and knows many fighters privately.
Ultimately, the fight ended with the victory of Topuria, who knocked out his opponent in the third round, giving him the first early defeat in his career. Thanks to this, Topuria defended the UFC featherweight world champion belt.
“I didn't expect that someone like you wouldn't be able to tell the difference between confidence and arrogance. But ultimately, we all project our reality onto others. I wish you all the best in what's left of your career and God bless your family” – in Topuria commented on Ronaldo's words already at the beginning of November, when he was a few days after the triumph over Halloway.
Ilia Topuria responded brutally to Cristiano Ronaldo
Topuria was a guest on Spanish radio COPE last night and revealed that he plans to return to the octagon in April next year during the gala in Miami. During his speech, he made a strong reference to Cristiano Ronaldo.
– The person I will personally invite will be Messi because he lives in Miami. So f**k Cristiano, as long as there is Messi – blurted the Spanish-Georgian fighter, causing a storm of laughter and applause in the studio.
Topuria is a declared fan of Real Madrid and has often expressed hope that the UFC gala will be organized with his participation at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu. However, it is clear that he is on a collision course with one of the “Royal” legends.