Holloway on Topuria: ‘He’s Undefeated Because He Fought Guys on the Decline’

Despite being one of the biggest names Ilia Topuria has ever beaten, Max Holloway isn’t fully sold on the hype surrounding UFC’s rising double champion. While Topuria has steamrolled through his competition in jaw-dropping fashion, Holloway believes the narrative may be more about timing and circumstance than true dominance.

In a recent interview with CBS Sports on July 13, Holloway cast doubt on the strength of Topuria’s win streak, suggesting that many of his opponents were past their prime when they faced him. Holloway, who was knocked out for the first time in his career by Topuria last October, admits the Spaniard is talented—but he’s not convinced that Topuria has truly proven himself against elite fighters at their best.

Topuria’s Rise: Impressive or Convenient?

There’s no denying Ilia Topuria’s perfect 17-0 record, including nine wins in the UFC, is impressive on paper. In the past year alone, Topuria has:

• Knocked out Alexander Volkanovski to win the featherweight title

• Knocked out Max Holloway in the same division at UFC 308

• Moved up and knocked out Charles Oliveira in the first round, claiming the UFC lightweight belt

Those are three massive names, all former champions. Yet Holloway is urging fans and analysts to look beyond the headlines.

🗣️ “Topuria beat some big names, no doubt about it,” Holloway said. “But people are looking at the names, not the context. Volkanovski had just lost to Islam [Makhachev], and Oliveira only had one win after losing his title. It’s crazy. Everyone just says, ‘Oh, he beat Volkanovski and Oliveira,’ but they don’t ask where those guys were at in their careers.”

According to Holloway, those wins say more about Topuria’s timing than pure superiority.

Respect Given—But With Reservations

Despite being on the receiving end of a brutal knockout loss to Topuria at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi, Holloway isn’t bitter. In fact, he acknowledges Topuria’s ability to rise to the occasion. However, he stops short of declaring him the hardest hitter he’s ever faced.

🥊 “I didn’t feel like his punch was the heaviest I’ve taken,” Holloway revealed. “When I fought Justin Gaethje, I felt that weight. Gaethje hits hard, man.”

That’s a surprising admission given the knockout, which marked the first time Holloway had ever been finished in his career. For fans and fighters alike, it was a turning point—a symbolic passing of the torch from one featherweight legend to a new king.

But for Holloway, the story isn’t that simple.

🗣️ “It’s just the right moment, the right circumstances. Topuria does what he’s supposed to do—he fights whoever the UFC puts in front of him. I’m not denying that. He’s doing his job.”

A Storied Career That Still Has Fire

Max Holloway, now 33, made his MMA debut back in 2010 at just 18 years old. He joined the UFC in 2012 with a fight against Dustin Poirier, and from 2014 to 2016, he went on a legendary 10-fight win streak, taking out the likes of Cub Swanson, Charles Oliveira, Ricardo Lamas, and more.

He claimed the UFC featherweight title by stopping Jose Aldo in 2017 and defended it against Aldo again, Brian Ortega, and Frankie Edgar. In 2019, he moved up to lightweight but lost a hard-fought interim title bout to Poirier—a fight that may have laid the groundwork for their current trilogy.

Third Time’s the Charm? Holloway vs. Poirier III at UFC 318

On July 19, Holloway will face Poirier again in the main event of UFC 318 in New Orleans, marking their third clash inside the Octagon. Poirier won the first two, but this could be the final fight of his career, while Holloway sees it as a chance to prove he still belongs among the lightweight elite.

🧠 “This is about legacy. About showing I still got what it takes to go after that 155 belt,” Holloway said.

With Poirier considering retirement, a win for Holloway could vault him back into title contention—and potentially set up a blockbuster rematch with Ilia Topuria, this time for the lightweight strap.

Legacy, Not Excuses

Despite the criticism, Holloway wasn’t completely dismissive of Topuria’s accomplishments. In fact, he ended the interview with a note of respect.

👊 “Look, I’ll be real. It’s hard to deny that Topuria might go down as one of the greatest in UFC history. No doubt.”

Still, Holloway wants the world to look deeper—to not just accept shiny records at face value but to consider the deeper context of when, where, and how victories happen.

In an era where hype often outpaces history, Max Holloway is a voice of experience. Whether or not he can write a new chapter of his own at UFC 318 remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: he’s not done yet.