UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria is gearing up for his highly anticipated super fight in Abu Dhabi, where he will put his title on the line against BMF champion Max Holloway. With just a few weeks left until the big showdown, Topuria seems to be more focused on a war of words with Team Khabib than his upcoming fight.
The tension between Topuria and Team Khabib has been brewing for quite some time now. It all started when Topuria made some bold claims about being the best featherweight in the world, which didn’t sit well with Khabib Nurmagomedov’s team. The undefeated lightweight champion’s coach, Javier Mendez, was quick to respond, stating that Topuria was not even in the top 10 of the division.
Since then, the two sides have been engaged in a war of words, with Topuria constantly taking jabs at Team Khabib and vice versa. However, the recent turn of events has taken this feud to a whole new level, with Conor McGregor throwing his hat into the ring.
McGregor, who has a history of heated rivalries with Khabib and his team, recently shared a screenshot of a private message he received from Topuria. In the message, Topuria can be seen talking trash about Team Khabib and even claiming that he would beat Khabib in a fight.
The Irish superstar wasted no time in sharing the screenshot on his social media, along with a caption that read, “Proof of Team Khabib’s bravado as ugly Ilia Topuria beef takes a new twist.” This has only added fuel to the fire, with Topuria and Team Khabib exchanging more heated words on social media.
While some may see this as nothing more than a publicity stunt, it cannot be denied that this beef has taken on a life of its own. Topuria, who is known for his calm and composed demeanor inside the Octagon, seems to have a different side to him when it comes to his rivalry with Team Khabib.
But what could be the reason behind this sudden outburst from Topuria? Is it just a case of bad blood between two fighters or is there something more to it?
One possible explanation could be the fact that Topuria is looking for a big fight after his upcoming bout with Holloway. And what better way to grab the attention of the UFC and the fans than by engaging in a war of words with one of the most dominant teams in the promotion?
It’s no secret that Team Khabib is one of the most respected and feared teams in the UFC. With the likes of Khabib, Islam Makhachev, and Zubaira Tukhugov among their ranks, they have established themselves as a force to be reckoned with. And for Topuria, who is relatively new to the UFC, defeating a member of Team Khabib would be a huge statement.
On the other hand, Team Khabib has never been one to back down from a challenge. They have always been vocal and confident about their skills and have always backed it up inside the Octagon. So, it comes as no surprise that they have responded to Topuria’s trash talk in their usual fashion – with confidence and bravado.
However, amidst all the verbal jabs and social media antics, it is important to remember that Topuria’s focus should be on his upcoming fight with Holloway. The Hawaiian is a former champion and one of the best featherweights in the world. He will be a tough test for Topuria, and he cannot afford to overlook him.
But if Topuria can back up his words and defeat Holloway, it will only add more fuel to his rivalry with Team Khabib. And who knows, we might just see a matchup between Topuria and a member of Team Khabib in the near future.
In the end, it is safe to say that the feud between Topuria and Team Khabib has taken a new turn with the involvement of Conor McGregor. Whether it’s a publicity stunt or genuine animosity between the two sides, one thing is for sure – it has caught the attention of the MMA world. And as fans, we can only hope that this rivalry leads to some exciting matchups inside the Octagon.
