Ilia Topuria has indicated his openness to a future fight against Conor McGregor, but he doesn’t see it as a contest between two currently competitive athletes. Topuria revealed that the UFC has previously discussed such a bout with him and that he would accept it if offered today.
However, the Spanish-Georgian fighter offered a candid perspective on McGregor’s current standing. Topuria stated that if McGregor secures a victory and mounts a comeback, the conversation might shift. Nevertheless, he added that “sports-wise,” everyone understands that McGregor is “almost finished.”
Ilia Topuria on Conor McGregor: “Sports-wise, we know he’s almost finished”
During an interview with Ariel Helwani, Ilia Topuria elaborated on his stance 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.”
Topuria’s current position in his career is significantly different from past discussions of lightweight matchups. He has ascended to become the UFC lightweight champion, defeating Charles Oliveira by knockout. His next challenge is already scheduled: a title unification bout against interim champion Justin Gaethje at the UFC event in Washington on June 14.
Conor McGregor’s prolonged absence from the octagon is also a key factor. He hasn’t fought since July 2021, when he suffered a severe leg injury against Dustin Poirier. His anticipated return against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in June 2024 was canceled due to a toe injury sustained in training, further extending the uncertainty surrounding his comeback. This inactivity is a primary reason Topuria feels comfortable expressing his direct opinion on McGregor’s status as an active fighter.
Topuria has expressed skepticism about McGregor for some time. In a previous discussion, he questioned whether McGregor’s lifestyle and extended layoff still align with the demands of elite mixed martial arts. Joe Rogan has also voiced doubts about the meaningfulness of McGregor’s potential return. Despite these reservations, Topuria has not entirely dismissed the possibility of the fight. His position remains straightforward: 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 a defense against Justin Gaethje on the horizon, McGregor is no longer the opponent who would advance Topuria’s career in a sporting sense. If this matchup were to materialize, it would be driven by its magnitude and public attention, not by Topuria’s need for the fight.
