Conor
McGregor is trading barbs with Ilia
Topuria leading up to the latter’s title fight at UFC
308.
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Topuria will make his first featherweight title defense against
Max
Holloway in the main event at UFC 308 on Oct. 26 at the Etihad
Arena in Abu Dhabi. Topuria’s back and forth with McGregor started
when the Irishman visited Marbella, Spain, and claimed he feels
more Spanish than the undefeated Georgian-Spaniard.
Responding to McGregor’s comments, Topuria made a somewhat crude
comparison of himself and former UFC heavyweight king Francis
Ngannou.
“When I see myself in the mirror, below my waist, I also think
sometimes I’m more African than Francis Ngannou,” Topuria told
Ariel Helwani.
Ilia Topuria responds to Conor McGregor
saying he’s more Spanish than him:“When I see myself in the mirror, below my waist, I also think
sometimes I’m more African than Francis Ngannou.” 😭😭😭😭🎥 @arielhelwani
#HelwaniShow pic.twitter.com/UCWkyVd0Dk— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS)
October 15, 2024
Topuria further mocked Holloway for having suffered a unanimous
decision loss against McGregor back in 2013. Responding to
Topuria’s comments, “Notorious” said he has the recipe for Holloway
to beat the champ.
Topuria vs. Holloway Saturday at 2 PM ET on ESPN+. Order
Now!
“Very exciting! How it’s done. The McGregor playbook. I know
exactly what Max should do here to break the face,” McGregor wrote
in a since-deleted post on X. “I am excited for this match.”
McGregor then went on a tirade against Topuria, labeling him “The
Puppy.” McGregor again took a dig at Topuria’s nationality, saying
his original nickname “El Matador” is invalid as his country of
origin.
“Little puppy paws he has. Check the little puppy paws on him. He
is Spanish is he? Has he a fight nickname, this guy? I now christen
him ‘The Puppy,’” McGregor wrote.
“Georgia does not have bullfighting. His prior nickname is
terminated,” the Irishman added. “He is now ‘The Puppy.’ Which is a
good name, everybody likes puppies.”
Conor McGregor’s new nickname for Ilia
Topuria is “The Puppy” 😭😭“Little puppy paws he has… He is now “The Puppy”, which is a good
name, everybody likes puppies 🐶”#UFC
#MMA
pic.twitter.com/QzDfECaAMj— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS)
October 16, 2024
Topuria won the belt with a knockout win over Alexander Volkanovski
at UFC 298 this past February. Meanwhile, McGregor hasn’t fought in
over three years since suffering a leg break in a trilogy clash
against Dustin Poirier in 2021.