The Spanish-Georgian fighter Ilia Topuria, the featherweight champion of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), expressed his confidence that there will be a new lightweight champion, a division to which he announced months ago that he will move up to because «none» are at his level. He also confessed that he is unsure if it is worth fighting in Spain.
«I am already the world champion in the lightweight division. I am certain of it. I don’t enter a competition without knowing if I will win or not. I am sure that I will win. None are at my level,» expressed ‘El Matador’ in an interview with Men’s Health magazine reported by Europa Press.
Topuria, based in Alicante, is «quite motivated» and «excited» about this «new adventure» of moving up and changing weight classes. «It’s like changing houses, places, environments,» he compared. «What people still don’t understand is that I am not leaving my weight class because it is very easy for me to make weight. To reach 70 kilos, I am small. My natural anatomy belongs to this weight class. So, more than one will encounter a problem that I am sure they will not be able to solve, but it will be even more amusing for me to experience it in person,» he added.
«Why the vertigo? I know that I will not go down in weight at this time, and I do not want to hold back an entire division. There are guys who are preparing every day, who are fighting, just like me, for their dreams… And holding onto the title would be very selfish on my part. Besides, I am the world champion, whether I leave the title vacant or not. I do not need any belt to feel valid,» explained Topuria about his decision to leave the featherweight division.
Furthermore, Topuria addressed the situation of the UFC coming to Spain, something he now sees as more distant. «I was much more convinced before,» he lamented. But after having a couple of conversations, after having explained to me the reality, the true story behind this and what I would have to bring to the table for that to happen… I don’t know if it’s worth it at this time, honestly,» he acknowledged.
He also took the opportunity to settle the controversy with footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, who once stated that «Topuria talks too much,» and he will respect him «if he beats Max Holloway» because «he has not fought the best.» These were comments to which the Spanish-Georgian did not hesitate to respond.
«He is a great athlete, a great athlete, but then he had something slip away from him… How can a guy with so much experience with the media fall into this trap and speak about a person he doesn’t know? I am sure that is not the opinion he would have about me if he knew me in person. 100% sure,» he affirmed.
FUENTE