Former champion praises Ilia Topuria and says: 'Best boxer in UFC history'

I. Topuria is the UFC featherweight champion. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @ufcbrasil

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The brilliant performance in victory against Max Hollowaway No. UFC 308 continues to generate praise for Ilia Topuria, this time, from a former champion in his category. TJ Dillashaw, who reigned among bantamweights (up to 61,2 kg.) on two occasions and became one of the most controversial fighters in recent years, surrendered to the Georgian/Spanish technique.

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“He could be a boxer. I legitimately feel like he could be a real boxer. I think he’s the best boxer that’s ever stepped into the UFC cage in my opinion, technique-wise… He makes you miss every little move. He’s not dramatic. His feet are always perfectly underneath him, he can throw hard at any time,” Dillashaw said in an interview on the American podcast Jaxxon, hosted by Quinton 'Rampage'Jackson.

Despite the praise, the former bantamweight champion (up to 61,2 kg.) said he believed that the defeat of Holloway, knocked out for the first time in UFC 308, may have been the result of the Hawaiian's accommodation throughout the combat.

“I think he (Holloway) got too comfortable in the second round. He started to dismantle (Topuria), right? He was using the distance, he’s hammering with the jab and Max is a volume guy, he gets better and better as the fight goes on. I think when it got to the third round he got a little too comfortable and Topuria is fast as hell. He gave that slap to get the hand off his face and that overhand changed everything,” he said.

Featherweight Champion Ilia Topuria was one of the winners of the bonus UFC 308 / Reproduction Instagram UFC

TJ Dillashaw

At 38, TJ Dillashaw was UFC bantamweight champion (up to 61,2 kg) on ​​two occasions. On the first occasion, the American shocked the world by knocking out Renan Barao in May 2014. Throughout his career, he became one of the most controversial athletes in recent years due to rivalries with former training partners and mainly, for being caught doping in 2019. He retired after being surpassed by aljamain sterling in October 2022.

T. Dillashaw is a former UFC bantamweight champion. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram