Conor McGregor, Ilia Topuria Trade Barbs Ahead of UFC 308

Conor McGregor is trading barbs with Ilia Topuria leading up to the latter’s title fight at UFC 308 .

Topuria will make his first featherweight title defense against Max Holloway in the main event at UFC 308 on Oct. 26 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Topuria’s back and forth with McGregor started when the Irishman visited Marbella, Spain, and claimed he feels more Spanish than the undefeated Georgian-Spaniard.

Responding to McGregor’s comments, Topuria made a somewhat crude comparison of himself and former UFC heavyweight king Francis Ngannou .

“When I see myself in the mirror, below my waist, I also think sometimes I’m more African than Francis Ngannou,” Topuria told Ariel Helwani.



Topuria further mocked Holloway for having suffered a unanimous decision loss against McGregor back in 2013. Responding to Topuria’s comments, “Notorious” said he has the recipe for Holloway to beat the champ.

UFC 308: Topuria vs. Holloway Saturday at 2 PM ET on ESPN+ . Order Now!

“Very exciting! How it’s done. The McGregor playbook. I know exactly what Max should do here to break the face,” McGregor wrote in a since-deleted post on X. “I am excited for this match.”

McGregor then went on a tirade against Topuria, labeling him “The Puppy.” McGregor again took a dig at Topuria’s nationality, saying his original nickname “El Matador” is invalid as his country of origin.

“Little puppy paws he has. Check the little puppy paws on him. He is Spanish is he? Has he a fight nickname, this guy? I now christen him ‘The Puppy,’” McGregor wrote.

“Georgia does not have bullfighting. His prior nickname is terminated,” the Irishman added. “He is now ‘The Puppy.’ Which is a good name, everybody likes puppies.”



Topuria won the belt with a knockout win over Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 this past February. Meanwhile, McGregor hasn’t fought in over three years since suffering a leg break in a trilogy clash against Dustin Poirier in 2021.