Ilia Topuria Dismisses Mega-Fight with Sean O'Malley

By Tim Burke September 19, 2024 13:49

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Ilia Topuria's week has dominated the headlines with the promotion of his highly anticipated documentary, Matador. This film offers a unique insight into the life journey of a UFC featherweight champion, showcasing his struggles, triumphs, and the sacrifices he made to reach the top. It's a must-watch for MMA fans and sports enthusiasts, as it provides a deeper understanding of the man behind the fighter.

Topuria, with his characteristic confidence, has seized the opportunity to build anticipation for his upcoming fight with Max Holloway at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi. This battle, set to take place in 2024, is already being hailed as the most anticipated fight of the year, promising an electrifying showdown for MMA fans and sports enthusiasts. While fulfilling his media obligations, Topuria has spoken about Noche UFC at the Sphere, a card he hoped to headline. Topuria was invested in the main event despite not getting the Sphere event. His close friend and fellow countryman Merab Dvalishvili won the title against Sean O'Malley, a fighter MMA fans have wanted to see share the Octagon with Topuria.

Following his dominant victory over Marlon Vera at UFC 299, O'Malley didn't waste a moment. He immediately issued a bold challenge to Topuria, declaring, "Dana, give me a jet to Spain, baby. I am coming for Ilia Topuria." Topuria."

At UFC Noche, Sean O'Malley not only lost the bantamweight championship but may also have missed the opportunity to fight Ilia Topuria for the featherweight title.

"You got defeated before you got into the Octagon with me. I don't even need to get in there for people to know that I'm better than you. So why fight?" Topuria confidently stated to Marca while promoting Matador earlier this week.

This is not the first time Ilia Topuria has shot down the idea of fighting potential contenders.

"Max, Yair, Brian Ortega, all of them. They can go and retire. I am never going to give them the chance to fight for the title. Never." Topuria boldly declared on Ariel Helwani's MMA Hour before he even became champion at UFC 298.

Regardless of Topuria's claims, who he fights is not up to him; it is up to the UFC. However, everyone in MMA can admire his unwavering determination to fight only the best fighters, a testament to his commitment to excellence that inspires fans and fellow athletes alike.

"I want to be a legend, I don't want to be just another one. I want to be remembered for eternity." Topuria revealed in a Q&A with Marca in 2023.

Fans will remember Topuria vs. O'Malley for the entirety of their lives. However, as Topuria demands to be great, the money fight will be there. If Topuria wants to be a legend, the highest-paid athlete in the world and remembered for eternity, perhaps the greatest challenge would be to move to lightweight to face the seemingly indestructible Islam Makhachev.

Topuria's true battle with Sean O'Malley is outside the Octagon to declare who is the face of the UFC promotion. Topuria's confident, bold statements and dismissal of fighting the biggest star in MMA highlight his ambition to establish himself as the face of the UFC. Ilia Topuria knows and understands the fight game very well, and every move he makes is calculated to reach his goal of being the face of the UFC.