Ilia Topuria has not ruled out a future fight with Conor McGregor, but he openly admits it wouldn’t be a clash between two fighters at their peak. Topuria revealed that the UFC has already broached the subject of a fight with McGregor, and he would accept it if offered today.
However, the Spanish-Georgian fighter offered a candid assessment of McGregor’s current standing in the sport. Topuria stated that while a win and a successful comeback for McGregor could alter the conversation, “competitively speaking,” McGregor is “almost finished.”
Ilia Topuria’s Candid Assessment of Conor McGregor
In an interview with Ariel Helwani, Ilia Topuria elaborated on his perspective regarding a potential bout with Conor McGregor:
“If I’m offered that fight, then we’ll see. If he gets a win, a comeback, he wins his next fight, and I’m offered that fight, we will see. But I never close the door for those kinds of opportunities, even if we are not on the same level right now. Maybe on the popularity level, he’s more popular, and people know him. Competitively speaking, we all know that he’s almost done.”
Topuria’s current position in his career is vastly different from what it was when lightweight rumors involving McGregor were prevalent. Topuria has since claimed the UFC lightweight championship, knocking out Charles Oliveira. His next defense is scheduled against interim champion Justin Gaethje on June 14th at the White House, a historic event for the promotion.
Meanwhile, Conor McGregor has been absent from the UFC octagon since his July 2021 loss to Dustin Poirier, a fight that ended with a severe leg injury for McGregor. His anticipated return against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in June 2024 was postponed due to a broken toe sustained in training, further intensifying the uncertainty surrounding his comeback. This extended inactivity is a significant factor in Topuria’s willingness to speak so directly about McGregor’s status as an active competitor.
Topuria has expressed skepticism about McGregor’s readiness for elite MMA for some time. In a previous discussion, he questioned whether McGregor’s lifestyle and long layoff align with the demands of top-tier mixed martial arts. While Joe Rogan has also voiced doubts about McGregor’s meaningful return, Topuria has stopped short of outright rejecting the fight. His stance is clear: if McGregor secures a victory, regains momentum, and the UFC presents the offer, he is open to considering it.
With the lightweight title secured and Justin Gaethje as his next opponent, McGregor is no longer a fight that would advance Topuria’s career in a sporting sense. If the matchup were to materialize, it would be driven by its spectacle and public interest, rather than Topuria’s need for it.
English Translation and Paraphrasing:
Ilia Topuria has left the door open for a future fight with Conor McGregor, but he’s realistic about their current competitive standing. Topuria revealed that the UFC has discussed this potential matchup with him, and he would accept it if the promotion were to offer it now.
However, Topuria gave a blunt assessment of McGregor’s current status, stating that while a win and a successful comeback could shift things, “competitively speaking,” McGregor is “almost finished.”
In an interview with Ariel Helwani, Ilia Topuria explained his perspective on a potential bout with Conor McGregor. He stated: “If I’m offered that fight, then we’ll see. If he gets a win, a comeback, he wins his next fight, and I’m offered that fight, we will see. But I never close the door for those kinds of opportunities, even if we are not on the same level right now. Maybe on the popularity level, he’s more popular, and people know him. Competitively speaking, we all know that he’s almost done.”
Topuria’s current situation is a stark contrast to when rumors of a fight with McGregor in the lightweight division were circulating. Topuria has since captured the UFC lightweight championship by knocking out Charles Oliveira. His next scheduled fight is a title unification bout against interim champion Justin Gaethje on June 14th, headlining a significant UFC event in Washington.
Conversely, Conor McGregor’s long hiatus from fighting continues. He hasn’t competed in the UFC since his July 2021 bout against Dustin Poirier, which ended prematurely due to a severe leg injury. His planned return against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in June 2024 was ultimately canceled because of a broken toe sustained during training, prolonging the uncertainty surrounding his comeback. This prolonged inactivity is a major reason why Topuria feels comfortable discussing McGregor’s current standing as an active fighter so openly.
Topuria has consistently expressed doubts about McGregor’s readiness. In a separate appearance, he questioned whether McGregor’s lifestyle and lengthy layoff are compatible with the demands of elite MMA. Joe Rogan has also voiced similar skepticism about McGregor’s potential meaningful return. Despite these reservations, Topuria has not completely dismissed the possibility of the fight. His position is straightforward: if McGregor wins, builds momentum, and the UFC extends an offer, he is willing to consider it.
With the lightweight title now around his waist and Justin Gaethje awaiting him in his next defense, McGregor no longer represents a fight that would propel Topuria’s career forward from a sporting perspective. Should that matchup ever occur, it would be driven by its magnitude and public attention, not by Topuria’s necessity.
