It’s just a matter of time until we witness the fate of the featherweight division. Ilia Topuria will take on the current champ, Alexander Volkanovski to clinch the ‘145’ lbs title. ‘El Matador’ has become a rising sensation since his UFC debut but will he be able to carry on his undefeated record and stake claim to the belt? Former champion, Max Holloway thinks otherwise.

The featherweight division has seen only 4 champions since its inception and ‘Great’ has been holding the belt since Dec 14, 2019, such is his dominance in the division. However, the Georgian-Spaniard is not worried about ‘Volk’s dominance. ‘El Matador’ is confident that he would retire ‘Volk.’ Yet, Holloway believes Topuria’s game would work against him.

Max Holloway vouches for Alexander Volkanovski’s victory against Ilia Topuria

UFC 298’s press conference was all glam. Ilia Topuria resembled the aura of Conor McGregor and took Volkanovski’s belt ahead of their fight just as McGregor did to Jose Aldo before their title fight back in 2015. Topuria has been making obnoxious comments about winning the belt and taking the featherweight division to a new place in the UFC. Nevertheless, is Topuria’s claim might be a bit too far-fetched?

Former champion and UFC’s BMF belt contender, Max Holloway believes that Topuria’s confidence would backfire against him. In a statement at the UFC 300 presser, Holloway explained that the reason UFC never gave him Topuria was because they were keeping him for the ‘Volk’ fight. “There’s a reason they didn’t give me Ilia. They wanted to make him to this fight ( Volkanovski vs. Topuria),” said Holloway.

He further emphasized that Volkanovski’s gameplan would surprise everyone- “And the first question is, Volk, man. Volk is here, and you guys shatter. Volk’s last fight, getting finished, whatever. He’s here in the old man talk. The guy really got the dog in him. You guys want to find out tomorrow. I think so he finishes it. Ilia, I’m with him. Before five”

Ilia Topuria has yet to face anyone from anymore from the top 5 and Holloway believes that Topuria’s confidence might backfire against the fighter as he has already made this bout a do-or-die situation for him. Additionally, another former UFC fighter thinks the opposite of Max Holloway.

Demetrious Johnson sees Conor McGregor in ‘El Matador’

Former UFC flyweight goat and current One Championship flyweight champion, Demetrious Johnson is all high and praises for the Georgian-Spaniard fighter. ‘Mighty Mouse’ believes that history might repeat itself as the resembles between the prime Conor McGregor and Ilia Topuria are astounding. While in conversation with Ariel Helwani, Johnson explains his words.

“The biggest thing for him is just going out there and fighting Ilia Topuria, who has a high IQ, very good boxing,I will say this, it’s not very often I see somebody fight, and they do certain things, and I’m like, ‘Oh, yeah, okay.’ Like, I think the last person who I felt that way about, to be honest, was Conor McGregor.” Johnson said.

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Topuria is indeed oozing the McGregor energy right now but will he be able to clinch the featherweight title? But the question will be answered soon enough. What is your opinion on Topuria’s confidence?

Read More: UFC Has Finally Found the Next Conor McGregor; Every Reason Why Ilia Topuria Is the Promotion’s Next Big Superstar