Former UFC weight champion Max Holloway (26-8 MMA, 22-8 UFC) is minimizing the stir that surrounds the current domain streak of Ilia Topuria.
Holloway, what He will face Dustin Poirier at the main event of the UFC 318 this Saturdayhe suffered the first defeat by knockout of his career at the hands of Topuria (17-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) at the UFC 308 last October.
Before that fight, Topuria had conquered the title of 145 pounds by arresting Alexander Volkanovski. After defending the belt against Holloway, “the matador” left the pen weight division vacant and He knocked out Charles Oliveira, claiming the UFC lightweight championship.
With three consecutive victories for knockout over former champions, many fans They consider it one of the best gusts in the history of the UFC. However, Holloway believes that the context matters, and indicates the age of Oliveira and the previous defeat by Volkanovski's knockout against Islam Makhachev as Important factors when evaluating Topuria legacy and his place among the greats of all time.
«I mean, of course, It cannot be ignored, but it is difficult, No? ”Holloway said this week during an interview with Shakiel Mahjouri.
«He has the names, right? He defeated the names, and that cannot be denied. But then, you know, when you look … it is a pity that, with everything that is happening, When you look at that fight against Volkwith Volk coming out of what he did, it's crazy.
But People just look at the name. They don't look at the history. They just look at: “Oh, yes, Alex was the champion, you know,” and then (he defeated me), and then Charles did what he did. What (streak) had Charles (before) that he? A fight, a streak, you know »
«So, at the end of the day, They are just moments, you know, and they are only names. Undoubtedly, it is one of the most important names in the story he has defeated, but man is doing what he is supposed to do, you know? Is aligning … people are aligning … the UFC is aligning people for him and he is simply knocking them down, So you have to be fair to him, he is out there doing his job ».
