Ilia Topuria: Max Holloway 'such an easy matchup,' will get KO'd in first round at UFC 308

Ilia Topuria knows the world won’t believe it until they see it, but the UFC featherweight champ is certain he will become the first to knock out Max Holloway in MMA competition.

Topuria (15-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) has boldly claimed he will crack the legendary chin of Holloway (26-7 MMA, 22-7 UFC) ever since he won gold from Alexander Volkanovski with a second-round knockout at UFC 298 in February. He will now get the chance to prove it when they meet for his belt in the UFC 308 headliner, which takes place Oct. 26 at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+).

Holloway officially owns the record for most fights in the octagon without being knocked down, though he admits Justin Gaethje ended that run in their BMF title fight at UFC 300. However, the stats didn’t count it as one, but Topuria said that won’t last much longer. He knows many, including his fellow fighters, are doubting his incredible confidence, but said the world will become believers once his performance unfolds.

“(Fighters picking against me) don’t know anything – they’re all going to be so surprised when I knock him out,” Topuria told MMA Junkie. “When I see that kind of videos with people giving their opinions and saying that Max is going to knock (me) out or he’s going to win that match. I just realize that they don’t know anything about the sport. They don’t know anything. Or maybe they don’t want to give me the credit for everything I have done in this sport and how good I am in reality. Maybe it’s that.”

Holloway is one of the most beloved fighters in UFC history, and that degree of fanfare can sometimes skew perceptions. Topuria has the respect of the oddsmakers, however, because he opened as the betting favorite ahead of UFC 308.

Part of the reason Holloway has such a loyal following is because of his can’t-miss fighting style and memorable moments, such as when he pointed to the octagon canvas prior to knocking out Gaethje in the final second for the Knockout of the Year frontrunner.

Topuria warns “Blessed” not to play that game with him, though, because he predicts the results would be devastating.

“If he’s going to bring the same energy he brings in the last 10 seconds of every round when he does his (point to ground), I’m going to knock him out in the first round,” Topuria said. “Because in the moment he’s going to stop in the middle and start to exchange the punches with me. I recommend him to use a helmet, because he’s going to need.

“If he does it, even better for me. Maybe I’m going to point to the ground. Maybe I will do all that because I’m going to feel so comfortable in that fight because I’m telling you, every time I see him fight I’m like, ‘Everyone is going to be surprised when I knock him out,’ because I see him as like such an easy matchup for me. If he thinks that I’m not right, prove me wrong. We’re going to be in the same octagon Oct. 26. Prove me wrong.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.