Former UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway is gunning for his old title again, and he’s ready to take on the division’s newly-crowned champion Ilia Topuria at UFC 308.
Holloway will challenge Topuria for the undisputed 145-pound crown in the main event at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on October 26. It’s the chance Holloway has wanted for a while, as he finally gets to share the Octagon with the young star, who he’s convinced the UFC protected from him as he made his way up the ranks to become a title challenger and, thanks to his stunning win over Alexander Volkanovski, the division’s new champion.
“The beautiful thing is that I can think, train and plan a certain way for the fight to go, but we get to find out October 26,” Holloway told Stake.
“He’s a beast bro, you cannot deny that. But I can’t wait to go out there and test him. I’ve said it before and I will say it again; there’s a reason why they kept Ilia Topuria away from me when he was coming up the ranks.
“I get to show on October 26 why the UFC did that.”
Topuria has tried to wind up Holloway and get a rise out of the laid-back Hawaiian in the lead-up to to the fight, but Holloway has taken it all in his stride, and even said that, rather than be annoyed at the champ’s antics, he just finds him a little strange.
But, despite being somewhat bemused by the new champion, he’s looking forward to showing just why he ruled the division for two and a half years.
“He’s an odd fella, I can’t get a read on him to be honest,” he admitted.
“I think he is a fan of me deep down though, he just can’t deny it. I mean, he bought a BMF belt, that’s weird, right?
“He’s cheering for me, but he is a weird guy for sure. Nothing he has said has fazed me at all, or bothered me. He definitely hasn’t got under my skin, but he is just a weird dude.
“But I get to fight him and punch him in the face, why would I be mad? He’s a great mixed martial artist and the champion for a reason. Great boxing, good wrestling and great jiu-jitsu as well.
“He’s got power, he’s got speed. But he has never fought me. He thinks he is going to knock me out. If he genuinely thinks that and needs it to get him excited for it, then so be it. I want the best Ilia.
“But it will be me and him locked in the Octagon, so we will find out when all the talking stops. October 26 cannot come soon enough, I am so excited.”
