Ilia Topuria has expressed openness to a future bout with Conor McGregor, though he doesn’t view it as a clash between two fighters at their competitive peak. Topuria revealed that the UFC has already broached the subject of a fight with McGregor and that he would accept the offer if presented today.
However, the Spanish-Georgian fighter offered a candid assessment of McGregor’s current standing. Topuria indicated that if McGregor were to secure a win and achieve a successful comeback, the conversation might change. Nevertheless, he believes that “sports-wise,” it’s common knowledge that McGregor is “almost finished.”
Ilia Topuria on Conor McGregor: “Sports-wise, we know he’s almost finished”
In an interview with Ariel Helwani, Ilia Topuria elaborated on his perspective regarding a potential fight with Conor McGregor. He stated:
“If I get offered that fight, then we’ll see. If he gets a win, a comeback, he wins his next fight, and I get 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, sports-wise, we all know that he’s almost done.”
This statement comes at a significant juncture in Topuria’s career. He has moved past lightweight discussions and has claimed the UFC lightweight championship, knocking out Charles Oliveira. His next challenge is already scheduled: a title unification bout against interim champion Justin Gaethje at the White House event on June 14, which will headline a historic UFC card in Washington.
Meanwhile, McGregor’s prolonged absence from the octagon is a key factor. He hasn’t fought in the UFC since his July 2021 bout against Dustin Poirier, which ended with a severe leg injury for McGregor. His anticipated return against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in June 2024 was subsequently canceled due to a broken toe sustained during training, further increasing the uncertainty surrounding his comeback. This extended period of inactivity is a primary reason Topuria feels comfortable speaking so directly about McGregor’s status as an active competitor.
Topuria has expressed skepticism about McGregor’s return for some time. In a previous discussion following his interview with Joe Rogan, he questioned whether McGregor’s lifestyle and lengthy layoff are still compatible with the demands of elite mixed martial arts. Rogan himself has also voiced doubts about McGregor’s meaningful return. Despite these reservations, Topuria has not entirely dismissed the possibility of the fight. His stance remains clear: if McGregor wins, regains momentum, and the UFC presents him with an offer, he is willing to consider it.
With the lightweight title already in his possession and Justin Gaethje lined up for his next defense, McGregor is no longer a fight that advances Topuria’s career in a sporting sense. If a bout between them were to occur, it would be driven by its magnitude and public attention, rather than any necessity for Topuria.
