Topuria Fires Back at Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo backed Max Holloway ahead of Ilia Topuria’s featherweight title defense and questioned whether Topuria had faced top opponents, saying he “speaks too much.” Topuria then knocked out Holloway in the third round on October 26, 2024; the official result lists the finish at 1:34 of Round 3. ESPN reported on Topuria’s response to Ronaldo’s remarks.
After the remarks circulated, Topuria replied to Ronaldo on X: “I didn’t expect someone like you to be unable to distinguish between confidence and arrogance. But, at the end of the day, we all reflect our own reality onto others. I wish you the best for what remains of your career, and God bless your family.” Goal reported that response.
In a later appearance on Cadena COPE’s El Partidazo, Topuria was asked whom he would invite to a possible fight in Miami. He said he would invite Lionel Messi, then added, “So screw Cristiano as long as Messi exists.” That was a separate comment made during the interview, as Bolavip reported.
The comments followed two separate moments: Ronaldo’s pre-fight criticism and Topuria’s reply after the Holloway knockout. The later Messi remark came in another interview and should not be folded into the original exchange. Keeping the timeline clear makes the story about Topuria’s response, rather than suggesting all of the remarks were made at once.
Sources
Tags: MMA
