“Maybe Ilya will surprise us with a submission to Holloway.”
The UFC Featherweight Championship is just two days away. Ilya Topuriafaces candidate and former monarch of the division Max Holloway This will be the first defense of the world title by a Georgian of Latin American origin. The main event will take place at UFC 308, which takes place this Saturday at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. All eyes are on this fight.
As Fight Week progresses, Topuria has already spoken to the media at media day, although he will still have to take the microphone again this Thursday during a press conference open to the public. “Let’s see if I have to knock out Javier Tebas” was the most striking headline left by the Spanish-Georgian champion, referring to the fact that the La Liga president created a classic of Spanish football during the fight with Topuria.
It’s an issue that’s grabbing headlines in Spain, but in Abu Dhabi the focus is already on the fight. ABC was able to speak with one of their coaches, Agustin Clement, who insists they are “living the dream.” “We are very happy, Ilya is at his best.” “I, for one, come with him to pick up the belt and have a good time,” says one of the people who have seen him develop as a mixed martial artist since he was 15 years old.
For Agustin Clement, the outcome of the fight is already determined, at least in his head, a mentality he shares with the rest of “Team Topuria”. “Holloway is toast, there could be several scenarios, most people think it will be a ground and pound knockout, but I have a lot of faith in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. perhaps he will surprise us with some kind of submission“
The Argentine coach notes that while Holloway is “a very legendary fighter” and “he’s very well-liked because of his history in the UFC,” if we look at the facts and the truth, “we know that Elijah is going to destroy him.” His team recognizes that extending El Matador’s legacy involves imposing power on the Hawaiian candidate, one of the UFC’s most beloved fighters. “A true champion is when he defends his title. Ilya has already beaten Volkanovski and now he is going to prove himself against Holloway as the best in his category,” concludes Agustin Clement.