Elite UFC fighter Ilia Topuria has clapped back at world soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo as their bizarre war of words rages on.
Topuria is one of the baddest dudes in mixed martial arts right now, as he’s walked into the toughest promotion out there in the UFC, and reached the highest echelons of competition so quickly that he’s drawn comparisons to guys like Conor McGregor, Israel Adesanya, and Alex Pereira. The UFC’s featherweight champion, Topuria is arguably the best fighter of the entire year thanks to his back-to-back knockout wins over modern day pound-for-pound greats Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway.
Ilia Topuria Pro MMA Record:
16 Matches | 16 Wins | 0 Losses |
By Knockout | 6 | 0 |
By Submission | 8 | 0 |
By Decision | 2 | 0 |
Ahead of UFC 308, Ronaldo — a renowned fight fan — had choice words to say regarding Topuria, and his ascent. As it turns out, Topuria had his own comments to make on Saturday, 2nd of November.
What Cristiano Ronaldo Said About Ilia Topuria
He said he’d only respect Topuria if he finished Holloway
There is a deeper link between the two athletes, as Topuria — a Georgian-born Spaniard — has been paraded at Real Madrid’s 75,000-seater Santiago Bernabeu because he stans the super club that Ronaldo played at between 2009-2018, before his moves to Juventus, back to Manchester United, and now Al Nassr. Another Real Madrid icon Sergio Ramos has been ever-present at Topuria’s fights.
But even though there is a common interest in Real, it takes more to impress Ronaldo, who said, ahead of Topuria’s fight with Holloway, that, even though the undefeated fighter had knocked out Ryan Hall, submitted Bryce Mitchell, and beaten Volkanovski in the second round to win the UFC featherweight title, it would take more to impress the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
“[Topuria] didn’t fight with the top guys. If he beats Max, I will respect [him].”
Ronaldo said Holloway had never been knocked out, which is why the bout, per his comment via PFL MMA, would “be tough for Topuria.”
As UFC 308 played out in Abu Dhabi, though, the fight was anything but tough as Topuria rewrote the UFC history books by becoming the first person to drop, and stop Holloway — defending his UFC championship in the process.
What Ilia Topuria Said About Cristiano Ronaldo
‘We all reflect our own reality onto others’
Considering how he’s talked and fought his way to the very top of the UFC, it is no surprise that Topuria had no issue responding to Ronaldo as he said on X, formerly Twitter: “I didn’t expect someone like you to be unable to distinguish between confidence and arrogance.”
“But, at the end of the day, we all reflect our own reality onto others.”
“I wish you the best for what remains of your career, and God bless your family.”
It is unclear who or when Topuria will return to the Octagon. But one thing is for sure, it probably won’t be Ronaldo.