In a recent live stream, former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor expressed his candid thoughts on the current featherweight champion Ilia Topuria. McGregor, known for his outspoken nature, did not hold back in critiquing Topuria’s skills and championship status, stirring up interest among fans and the MMA community.

Topuria claimed the 145-pound title by delivering a stunning knockout against long-time champion Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 this past February. As the MMA landscape evolves, he is set to face former champion and newly crowned BMF titleholder Max Holloway later this year. McGregor confidently predicts that Holloway will reclaim the featherweight championship, asserting that his speed and experience will outmatch Topuria’s skill set.

McGregor stated, “Holloway, too light, too fast. I think Holloway picks him apart.” He emphasized Holloway’s history as a champion, noting that he has held the featherweight title for an extended period and now possesses the BMF title. In McGregor’s view, Topuria lacks the legitimacy of a true champion, referring to his title as a “meaningless strap” despite its official status.

Furthermore, McGregor took issue with Topuria’s ambitions to become the highest-paid UFC athlete by 2025, likening him to his former friend Artem Lobov. Their ongoing legal dispute over McGregor’s ‘Proper 12’ whiskey brand adds a layer of tension to McGregor’s comments, making them all the more pointed.

“I don’t get the buzz with him (Topuria). There is no buzz with him. He needs to keep fighting,” McGregor remarked. He challenged Topuria’s lofty financial aspirations, pointing out that the journey to becoming a top earner begins now and requires significant financial accomplishments. McGregor warned him against unrealistic expectations, emphasizing that the latest earnings reports will dictate the landscape for the highest-paid athletes.

“It just reminded me of Artem Lobov. Just a stupid, little fool. Talking billions from a f*cking banger of a car. Thinks he knows it all, he’s only a little baldy fool,” McGregor concluded, further illustrating his disdain for Topuria’s claims. These remarks not only highlight McGregor’s competitive nature but also spark conversations about the evolving dynamics in the UFC.

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