Max Holloway underestimates Ilia Topuria's triumphs: "They only look at the names, not the track record..."

In the mixed martial arts (MMA) circles, there's been a hotly debated topic lately: Does Ilia Topuria have the best three-fight winning streak in UFC history? They're talking about his next victories. In February 2024, El Matador knocked out Alexander Volkanovski in the second round to become the UFC featherweight champion. In October of that same year, he technically finished Max Holloway to make his first title defense. And recently, he defeated Charles Oliveira for the lightweight title, also by KO.

Without a doubt, regardless of whether it's the best or not, it's something spectacular, historic. But for one of those victims, it's not just the who who did it that matters, but also the how. Max Holloway, who hasn't fought since Topuria knocked him out in the third round in Abu Dhabi, has downplayed the Spanish-Georgian's winning streak because, he asserts, none of his opponents were in their prime.

"It's just tough... he beat the greats, you can't deny that... But it's just horrible when you watch the fight against 'Volk'. Against Volkanovski, he was coming off a knockout against Islam Makhachev... People only look at names. They don't look at the track record... What was Charles Oliveira up to, on a one-win streak? " he noted during an interview with journalist Shakiel Mahjouri.

For Holloway, who will return to the Octagon this weekend against Dustin Poirier to put his symbolic BMF title on the line, it's significant that Topuria's opponents have been coming off less-than-stellar or even losing bouts in recent fights. However, it's undeniable that establishing a streak of three consecutive knockouts against three legends of the sport and former champions gives him superstar status and one of the best in the history of those divisions .