Ilia Topuria’s head coaches don’t think it’s a good idea for Max Holloway to try his signature showdown with the UFC featherweight champion.
Jorge and Agustin Climent, owners of Climent Club in Spain, are confident that not only will Topuria (15-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) get his hand raised at UFC 308, but that he can become the first man to knock out Holloway (26-7 MMA, 22-7 UFC), especially if the Hawaiian points to the ground and welcomes a brawl.
“If he’s going to have a showdown with Ilia, Max needs to put on a motorcycle helmet because Ilia cracks. His hands are dynamite,” Jorge told MMA Junkie in Spanish.
That confidence was also backed up by his brother.
“He has it tough, yeah. That poor guy needs to bring a helmet,” Agustin said. “Holloway hits hard, but Ilia hits very, very hard. He’d explode his head if he connects on him. His power is incredible, and he’s getting more and more dangerous.”
Holloway has fought many world-class power punchers, and yet, in 33 fights, he’s never been knocked out. Holloway has fought the likes of Justin Gaethje, Dustin Poirier, Conor McGregor, Jose Aldo, Yair Rodriguez, Charles Oliveira, and many other striking experts.
The Climent brothers are well aware of what Topuria is up against, and even then they have all the confidence their guy will get the stoppage win.
“Ilia can do the impossible, which is what he’s been doing up to now,” Agustin said.
Jorge added, “Normally people have their doubts, but us that know Ilia for 15 years, we know what he’s capable of, and we know what he’s going to do.”
Topuria is undefeated in his career, and has quickly become one of the best fighters today in just four years into his UFC career. Agustin believes Topuria, now 27, has entered a level that is unmatched today at 145 pounds.
“Ilia has been at a crazy level since before the Volkanovski fight, and he’s just maintaining that,” Agustin said. “But, yeah, he’s flying. He’s in his prime. If he were to fight Max Holloway when he fought Volkanovski, he would’ve beaten him up, and he beats him up now or the next month.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.
