As anticipation builds for UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi, featherweight champion Ilia Topuria believes he has already gained a mental edge over challenger Max Holloway. In a tense face-off at the ceremonial weigh-ins, Topuria was vocal and confident, while Holloway, in stark contrast, remained silent throughout. Topuria sees this silence as a sign that the former champion is feeling the pressure.
Topuria, undefeated with a 15-0 record, is set to defend his title in the main event against Holloway, a former featherweight champion. Topuria feels that his display of confidence during the weigh-ins gave him an upper hand, making the Hawaiian challenger look tense.
“Let’s go, brother, let’s go,” Topuria called out during their face-off, with UFC cameras capturing the moment. “I’m the best in the world, and you’re in for a hard night trying to beat me.”
Topuria was clear in his message. “Trust me, I am the best in the world, and I’ve worked my ass off… The victory is mine, I’m going to be world champion [still], trust me.”
Ilia Topuria Claims Max Holloway Silence Reveals Nerves Ahead of UFC 308
After their final weigh-in staredown, Topuria spoke with TNT Sports, where he explained how Holloway’s silence spoke volumes. According to Topuria, the lack of response from Holloway revealed his nerves leading up to the bout.
“I told him that I’m the best fighter in the world and that I have worked my ass off and the victory will be my only option tomorrow night,” Topuria shared:
“That was the conversation I had with him, but I didn’t get any answer from his side. He seems to be very, very nervous and he is struggling a lot.”
Topuria, known for his brash confidence, doesn’t see Holloway as comparable to anyone he has faced before. He sees this fight as an opportunity to solidify his dominance and demonstrate his unique skill set in the octagon. “I don’t want him to compare me with anyone he’s faced in the past [because] I am different,” Topuria declared.
The “Matador” vs. “The Bull”
Topuria, entering the fight as a slight betting favorite, has maintained a steady flow of confidence. Holloway, who calls himself “The Problem Solver,” will face what Topuria calls his biggest challenge yet. “He calls himself a problem solver, but tomorrow night he’s going to have a problem in front of him called ‘El Matador,'” Topuria asserted. “He calls himself ‘The Bull,’ and we all know what the Matador does with the bull, and the same thing is what is going to happen tomorrow night. I will be the first one to knock him out, trust me.”
Special Guests and Holloway’s Observed Reactions
Topuria’s confidence was amplified by support from Spanish soccer star Sergio Ramos, who was at the weigh-ins to show his support. The exchange between the two provided another spotlight on Holloway’s silence, which Topuria’s team interpreted as a sign of nerves. Ramos asked, “He doesn’t talk, does he? The other guy, right? He seems scared already; nothing, he hasn’t said a thing.”
Topuria, unwavering in his stance, responded confidently: “I am the best in the world, and he knows it.”
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
