ABU DHABI – Featherweight champion Ilia Topuria has a difficulty with Max Holloway calling himself the most effective boxer within the UFC.
Undefeated Topuria (15-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) will look to make his first title protection in opposition to former champ Holloway (26-7 MMA, 22-7 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC 308 most important occasion at Etihad Area in Abu Dhabi (pay-per-view, ESPN+).
Holloway famously shouted that he’s the most effective boxer within the UFC whereas piecing up Calvin Kattar in one among his most spectacular profession performances in January 2021. Topuria didn’t model himself as the most effective however thinks Holloway is understood extra for his general putting than boxing particularly.
“In actuality, he’s an excellent striker,” Topuria instructed MMA Junkie and different reporters at Wednesday’s UFC 308 media day. “It’s not solely boxer as a result of calling himself the most effective boxer within the UFC is form of a disgrace, as a result of he’s not the most effective boxer within the UFC, however he’s an excellent striker. He has numerous expertise. He’s very affected person contained in the octagon.
“However everybody is nice once they can develop their fashion within the octagon and somebody isn’t placing the strain on him. So, on Saturday evening, he’s going to really feel one thing that he’s by no means felt with every other opponents that he had up to now. The strain he’s going to really feel with me goes to be fully totally different.”
Topuria mentioned he represents the brand new wave of expertise in MMA whereas Holloway hasn’t advanced in years.
“The way in which I apply the strategies and the talents to my opponent, the way in which I transfer my head, the way in which I dominate the octagon, that’s the distinction,” Topuria mentioned. “What evolution do you see in Max Holloway in each battle? Possibly solely in putting.
“However you don’t see him getting higher in wrestling or on the bottom, you don’t see him attempting to new issues. Solely within the putting. That is what I’m speaking about. I attempt to evolve the sport on a regular basis, not solely within the putting. With the wrestling, the bottom sport, every little thing.”
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