MMA sensation Ilia Topuria, a die-hard Real Madrid fan, has expressed outrage with Real Madrid vs Barcelona clashing with his UFC 308 fight against Max Holloway.
The Georgian fighter jokingly declared that he would take down the Real Madrid chief for organizing the famous El Clasico match between Real Madrid and Barcelona on the same day as his highly anticipated UFC 308 featherweight title defense against Max Holloway.
What Ilia Topuria said
The La Liga clash, slated for Saturday at 9 pm Spanish time (8 pm UK time) at the Santiago Bernabeu, overlaps with Topuria’s UFC bout in Dubai, scheduled to begin at 10:30 pm.
Meanwhile, this coincidence has left the UFC featherweight champion disgruntled.
In a bold statement, Topuria vowed to “knock out” the person responsible for the scheduling decision.
Topuria told reporters: “Let’s see if I’ve made a mistake and instead of knocking out Holloway, I have to knock out the person responsible for putting that match at the same time and on the same day as my fight.”
However, when a journalist pointed out that Tebas, the president of La Liga, is the one responsible for scheduling decisions, Topuria didn’t hold back, with a mischievous smile.
Upon learning that Tebas, La Liga’s president, was behind the scheduling, Topuria jokingly targeted him, saying, “Then we will go for Javier Tebas. He’s next.”
La Liga Chief Javier Ilia Tebas Responds Topuria with Wit
Tebas swiftly responded on social media, saying, “Ilia Topuria, I didn’t know I was in your knockout plans! I’m warning you that I’m harder to knock out than scheduling El Clasico at the time everyone wants.”
Meanwhile, This isn’t Topuria’s first interaction with Real Madrid.
Following his victory over Alexander Volkanovski to become Spain’s first UFC featherweight champion, Topuria performed the ceremonial kick-off at the Santiago Bernabeu during Los Blancos’ match against Sevilla.
La Liga boss Javier Tebas concluded by wishing Topuria well against Holloway, saying: “But give Max Holloway your all!”
Who is Ilia Topuria?
Ilia Topuria Georgian is a Georgian and Spanish professional mixed martial artist.
The 27-year-old currently competes in the Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
He holds the title of UFC Featherweight Champion, making history as the first fighter from Georgia and Spain to achieve this honor.
As of July 30, 2024, the 27-year-old is ranked 4th in the UFC men’s pound-for-pound rankings.
What’s next for Ilia Topuria?
Topuria’s much-awaited UFC bout against Holloway will take place in Dubai. The fight is set to begin at 22:30 GMT.
What’s next for Real Madrid?
The El Classico match will take place on Saturday, October 26 at Santiago Bernabeu with kickoff set at 20:00 GMT.
After the El Clasico match on Saturday, Carlo Ancelotti’s team will take on Valencia and Osasuna in La Liga, with a Champions League match against AC Milan on November 6 between the two domestic games.
What’s your take on the El Classico match and llia Topuria’s bout? Please, share your thoughts with us in the comments box below.
