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I am the new “BMF” champion after UFC 308 KO of Max Holloway


I am the new “BMF” champion after UFC 308 KO of Max Holloway

ABU DHABI – Ilia Topuria not only retained his status as UFC featherweight champion but, according to him, also won a new title.

Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) became the first man to stop former UFC champion Max Holloway (26-8 MMA, 22-8 UFC) when he defeated the tough Hawaiian in the main event of UFC 308 on Saturday's elimination Holloway started the 145-pound championship bout with a knockout victory over Justin Gaethje that earned him the BMF (Baddest Motherf*cker) title.

The BMF belt wasn't officially on the line, but Topuria doesn't care. He sees himself as a title holder with two belts.

“I never understand why they didn’t put the BMF title on the line,” Topuria told reporters at the UFC 308 post-fight press conference. “It has to be on the line from day one. But hey, don't you want to make it official? I'll make it official myself.

“Now I'm the new 'Baddest Motherf*ker' World Champion.”

Although he shocked many with his performance, Topuria expected to stop Holloway. The only thing that surprised him was that Holloway didn't engage in his trademark brawl as he jumped to the ground.

“That surprised me, that I pointed to the floor and he didn’t stop in the middle of the octagon,” Topuria said. “He started such nonsense. You called yourself the cop. When you called me out you said, “I'm the bull and 'The Matador' is running from me.” You never see that in a bull. This surprised me a little, so I had to change the game plan a little. But at the end of the day I get the knockout.”

For more information on the card, check out MMA Junkie's UFC 308 event hub.

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