Conor McGregor’s relationship with Ilia Topuria is one of the more fascinating dynamics in the sport right now. Speaking on Smash Cast ahead of UFC 329, McGregor addressed the frequent comparisons between himself and the 29-year-old with characteristic self-assurance, while simultaneously defending Topuria against those who piled on after the Justin Gaethje title loss.
Conor McGregor on Ilia Topuria Quoting Him
Conor McGregor told Smash Cast:
“He got his face broke in, it’s a tough business. It is what it is. I don’t speak his name, he speaks my stuff, he quotes me. I find it amusing, it’s a sign that I inspire people, I motivate people.”
The comparison between Conor McGregor and Ilia Topuria has been made consistently throughout ‘El Matador’s’ UFC rise, from the southpaw stance and counter striking to the psychological warfare and confident public persona and tattoos.
Conor McGregor Defended Ilia Topuria When Others Mocked Him
After Ilia Topuria lost to Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250, suffering two broken orbital bones and a broken nose, several high-profile figures took the opportunity to pile on. Terence Crawford was among those who came out to mock Topuria following the defeat. McGregor pushed back on social media, defending the Georgian-Spaniard against the criticism and choosing solidarity over opportunism, when it would have been easy to take shots at a rival’s lowest moment.
What Conor McGregor Actually Thinks of Ilia Topuria’s Future
McGregor acknowledged publicly that Ilia Topuria is in a dark place right now, that healing two broken orbital bones and a broken nose takes real time, but expressed genuine belief that ‘El Matador’ has the character to come through it. The face will heal. The hunger does not disappear that easily. McGregor, of all people, understands what it means to rebuild from a moment that felt like the end.
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