Ilia Topuria is different! He's a bad man!
Ilia just knocked out another legend. A mega legend in Max Holloway. A task no other MMA fighter has ever been able to accomplish. Topuria is quickly building a legacy that can't be ignored, and I am a fan! This is never good as an MMA fan though, because unless Topuria retires on top, even Topuria's time will probably come which will stink.
Topuria reminds me of James Bond for some reason. This guy is super slick both in and out of the cage. Well rounded in and out of the cage as well. He can seamlessly go from a very competent trash talker, in his third language I am pretty sure, to a totally gracious and humble victor, and do both convincingly.
I actually find Topuria really likable and entertaining. People read into his reaction after Max knocked out Justin way too much. I think that, as much as Ilia is confident, he has a healthy respect and urgency for his opponents. Maybe it's because he is a new champion on the scene, but if Topuria can remain down to earth like that, Topuria will stay champion for a long time.
Even in between rounds, Topuria looked arguably unsettled, just a smidge, against Max, because Max did look really good in moments. But I believe that Topuria was seriously in the moment, and focused on Max. Just my opinion.
The difference in mentalities between these two fighters was really interesting in general.
I like Max, but, and I may be saying the quiet part out loud, but I think that maybe Max may have been drinking his own Kool-Aid a little too much in recent years. I don't always agree when people claim Max is this super nice classy guy all the time. I think Max is fundamentally a good person for sure, but he can definitely be a bit of a jerk at times as any other fighter.
I think he was always in denial about the three Volkanovski losses, and frankly did not handle them all that well at times. His demeanor when talking about other fighters just seems very dismissive which I find really weird. Even when he gives compliments to other fighters, it always seems sort of lowkey reluctant and political.
Topuria on the other hand seems a lot more comfortable in his own skin and much more comfortable with saying what he feels. Topuria really talks like he has zero secrets and just says it how he sees it.
I like straight shooters like Topuria. I thought he handled the back and forth with Holloway leading up to the fight really well. I believe their verbal exchanges mimicked how the fight played out. Topuria spoke smoothly and confidently, and Max had a weird resentful attitude and sort of beat around the bush when they spoke to each other.
To make a long story short Topuria has aura, man.
Physically, Topuria has power for days. Max said he didn't feel to strong, but the evidence says otherwise and frankly Topuria's body composition says otherwise as well.
Topuria is only 5'7" and often times a guy his size would look real stocky and thick like Josh Emmett or even Volkanovski. But Topuria looks, like normal if that makes sense. I mean he looks very muscular, but he doesn't look like he carries extra muscle in any particular area of his body. I don't know how to really explain it. But I think this is a sign that the guy is literally built different. Topuria had the exact same reach as Holloway despite Holloway being much taller. Topuria is just built like a supreme athlete I guess is the best way to put it.
Topuria landed a takedown and once again, people moronically dismissed it with phrases like 'oh but he didn't do anything with it'. I swear people almost punish fighters for not immediately subbing or ground and pounding their opponents.
We need to stop acting like cheeky little leg kicks are actually a better tactical or skillful attack than a TAKEDOWN. I have written about this disgusting mindset in this sport enough but yeah. I think Topuria's takedown that he got with EASE was a subtle enough tactic that changed the fight just enough.
To say that another man lifting you up and putting you down doesn't impact a fight, is just not a debate to me.
Also, just like Topuria said, from the opening bell, Topuria pointed to the center of the cage and offered to to Max's iconic phone booth fighting to START the fight. Max declined.
Topuria is just that dude. If he can keep this mindset and stay hungry, this guy could really be on his was to be the greatest featherweight ever. I know it's still early on his title reign, but I am high on Topuria man. That's a scary individual. Really looking forward to his next fight.
