Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty ImagesConor McGregor hasn’t fought in nearly three years, but he’s still at the top of minds around the sport.
Ilia Topuria called out McGregor on Saturday night after knocking out Alexander Volkanovski in the second round of their UFC 298 main event.
SportsCenter @SportsCenter”And Conor McGregor, if you still have some balls, I will be waiting for you in Spain.”
Ilia Topuria 😮 pic.twitter.com/iURgJFRzhZ
Topuria captured the UFC Featherweight Championship from Volkanovski, ending the Australian’s career unbeaten mark in the division since joining the UFC. Volkanovski had defended the featherweight title six consecutive times, putting him on the shortlist of greatest runs in MMA history.
Topuria is a 27-year-old who is undefeated in 15 career fights. Saturday was just his seventh UFC bout, only one of which has gone the distance.
McGregor has not set foot inside the Octagon since breaking his tibia in a July 2021 fight against Dustin Poirier. His return bout is expected to take place later this year against Michael Chandler after the two served as coaches for The Ultimate Fighter 31.
UFC president Dana White appeared on The Pat McAfee Show earlier this month and said he does not expect McGregor vs. Chandler to take place until the fall.
“Eventually,” White said. “Hopefully, this year. There is no date. I’m hoping for the fall. [Hopefully] we get it done in the fall.”
McGregor has discussed fighting as heavy as middleweight against Chandler, so it’s hard to imagine Topuria is anywhere on his radar. It’s been more than eight years since McGregor fought at featherweight, and he’s only fought four times in the last seven years overall.
That said, Topuria’s clearly out to make headlines—and a name for himself in the process—by calling out the sport’s most famous fighter.
Source : Bleacher Report