In a crossover moment for sports fans, global football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo shared his thoughts on UFC 308’s highly anticipated featherweight showdown between Max Holloway and Ilia Topuria. Joined by MMA coach Eric Nicksick and former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, Ronaldo discussed the fight and the implications it holds for the UFC featherweight division, showing his own understanding and passion for MMA.
The discussion began with Ronaldo asking Nicksick, “What do you think about the main event?” Nicksick responded, “I think I lean towards Max,” underscoring Holloway’s experience and relentless fighting style. Ronaldo quickly agreed, sharing his admiration for the Hawaiian fighter’s resilience, “I like Max; he’s a tough guy.”
However, Ronaldo also expressed scepticism about Topuria. “Ilia speaks too much and didn’t show,” he said, referring to Topuria’s previous win over Alexander Volkanovski, which he believes wasn’t as impressive due to the circumstances surrounding the fight. “I think when he got Volk, Volk wasn’t ready because of that kick from Islam Makhachev; he didn’t recover,” Ronaldo remarked, alluding to Volkanovski’s recent head-kick knockout loss to Makhachev, which may have affected his performance in the fight against Topuria. Nicksick agreed with Ronaldo, adding, “And Volkanovski won the first round. Topuria did a good job of wedging him in the corner. He trapped him there.”
The conversation then shifted to Topuria’s credentials and his track record in the UFC featherweight division. Ronaldo questioned whether Topuria had proven himself against the division’s top fighters, saying, “But he didn’t fight with the top guys. If he beats Max, I will respect [him].” He emphasized Holloway’s durability, pointing out, “Never KO. This is why [Max] will be tough for Topuria.”
Despite Ronaldo and Nicksick’s analysis and confidence in Holloway’s resilience, the fight took an unexpected turn, with Topuria securing a knockout win over Holloway. This victory not only solidified Topuria’s standing as a legitimate featherweight contender but also underscored his power and skill, which many fans and analysts, including Ronaldo, had previously questioned.
Ronaldo’s comments reveal a deep respect for Holloway’s toughness and career accomplishments, while Topuria’s knockout victory may now be changing perceptions, even among dedicated fans like Ronaldo. This unexpected outcome highlights Topuria’s ascent in the featherweight division and sets him up as a rising star to watch closely in the UFC.
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