2 weeks Ago By BoxingNews.com
Ilia Topuria believes his ability to get the job done will be the difference maker against Max Holloway at UFC 308. The fight takes place on October 26 as the Georgian makes the first defense of his UFC Featherweight Title. He enters the fight with an undefeated 7-0 record, including five knockouts.
Topuria secured his biggest career win by stopping Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298. The win secured him the title. It was a significant achievement since he had beaten one of the UFC’s legendary fighters and gave Volkanovski his first stoppage defeat at the weight class.
He also ended Volkanovski’s stint as a champion, which had lasted for four years. He followed in the company of UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev as being another person who had given Volkanovski a defeat. Coming into the Holloway fight, Topuria has spoken about being able to last with Max.
During their face-off at their presser, he urged Holloway to meet him in the centre of the Octagon within the first 10 seconds. This is due to Holloway’s ability to last the distance and exchange with fighters, which he showed in his victory against Justin Gaethje . Topuria Reacts Holloway was winning the fight when he directed Justin to meet him in the center of the Octagon in the final round.
That is when he traded with Gaethje before landing a big right hand to end the fight with just a second left. The victory secured him the BMF title. Holloway has spoken about Topuria not having a good IQ.
However, Topuria says his ability to find a way to win is why he will come out victorious. He also highlighted that he is a champion, while Holloway enters into the contest as a challenger, as he promised to show why there are levels to this sport. “I know what I’m able to do inside that Octagon.
I know about my power, my skills, my technique, my fight IQ. He’s been saying that I don’t have fight IQ. Come on, I’m the world champion, you’re the challenger.
You have seven professional defeats, I have zero. What fight IQ did you show in your defeats? I always find a way to win and you don’t. So, that means that I have more fight IQ than you,” Topuria said The Task Nevertheless, he will have to do something that has never been done before.
Holloway has suffered seven defeats in his UFC career. While he has suffered submission losses, he has never been knocked out. That is why Holloway is seen as having one of the best chins and engines in the UFC.
Although Topuria backs himself to stop Holloway, he does risk getting knocked out himself. Max’s game is about engaging with his opponent. That is why Topuria must get the balance right.
But following their final face off at the weigh in, Topuria said he would end the fight in the first round. “I’m taking him out in the first round,” Topuria stated This article first appeared on BoxingNews.com and was syndicated with permission.
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