Ilia Topuria has acknowledged the possibility of a future fight with Conor McGregor, though he views it not as a clash of equals in terms of competitive standing. Topuria revealed that the UFC has previously broached the subject of a matchup with the former two-division champion and that he would accept such an offer if presented today.
However, the Spanish-Georgian fighter offered a candid perspective on McGregor’s current career trajectory. Topuria stated that if McGregor were to secure a victory and build momentum with a successful comeback, the narrative might shift. Nevertheless, he believes that “sports-wise,” it’s widely understood that McGregor is “almost finished.”
Ilia Topuria’s Assessment of Conor McGregor
In a recent interview, Ilia Topuria elaborated on his stance regarding a potential bout with Conor McGregor:
“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. Having bypassed lightweight discussions, Topuria claimed the UFC belt by knocking out Charles Oliveira to become the 155-pound champion. His next title defense is already scheduled against interim champion Justin Gaethje on June 14th at the White House, headlining a historic UFC event in Washington.
Meanwhile, McGregor’s prolonged absence from the octagon is a defining factor. His last UFC appearance was in July 2021, resulting in a loss to Dustin Poirier and a severe leg injury. A planned return against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in June 2024 was subsequently canceled due to a training injury, further casting uncertainty over his comeback. This extended inactivity is a primary reason for Topuria’s direct commentary on McGregor’s status as an active competitor.
Topuria has previously expressed skepticism about McGregor. In another discussion, he questioned whether McGregor’s lifestyle and extended layoff align with the demands of elite mixed martial arts. While others, like Joe Rogan, have also voiced doubts about a meaningful return for McGregor, Topuria has not entirely dismissed the possibility of a fight. His position remains clear: if McGregor achieves a victory, regains momentum, and the UFC presents the offer, he is open to considering it.
With the lightweight championship secured and a title defense against Justin Gaethje on the horizon, McGregor is no longer a fight that propels Topuria’s career forward from a sporting perspective. Should a fight between them materialize, it would likely be driven by its magnitude and public interest, rather than Topuria’s need for it.
