Ilia Topuria grabbed the featherweight belt during the UFC 298 press conference, and the undefeated Movsar Evloev wasn’t impressed by the antics.
“Ilia ‘Conor from Wish’ Tapuri” was the sour judgment of the undefeated prospect, who was previously scheduled to face Topuria back in 2022 at UFC 270 before the fight was canceled.
Many within the MMA community expect it to only be a matter of time before the 18-0 featherweight contender gets his first chance to win a UFC world title, which may come against Topuria later this year should he win at UFC 298 this weekend.
Movsar Evloev reacts to Ilia Topuria’s press conference antics
Topuria channeled his inner Conor McGregor at the UFC 298 press conference on Thursday, although the surging Spanish-Georgian contender certainly didn’t have the same impact as the Irishman once enjoyed.
At one point in the press conference, Topuria managed to grab a hold of Alexander Volkanovski’s featherweight belt, lifting it high above his head in the same manner in which McGregor famously stole Jose Aldo’s belt during their media obligations.
The snatch has drawn a mixed response from fans and fighters alike, yet as Evloev plans out his path toward UFC gold, the Russian wasn’t impressed by Topuria’s UFC 298 press conference antics, calling the challenger “Ilia ‘Conor from Wish’ Tapuri’.
Evloev was forced to withdraw from a scheduled fight with Topuria after a positive COVID-19 test in January 2022 at UFC 270.
He was replaced by Charles Jourdain for the clash, but Topuria himself would then withdraw due to a medical issue related to the weight cut down to 145lbs.
Evloev won a unanimous decision victory against fellow featherweight contender Arnold Allen earlier this year, following decision wins over Diego Lopes, and Dan Ige previously.
Yet the match was marred with controversy and confusion surrounding illegal knees to ‘grounded opponents’, which has left a sour taste in the mouths of many UFC fans towards the rising prospect.
With Topuria himself ‘turning heel’ for much of the build-up to UFC 298, there might be an opportunity for the 18-0 contender to regain the support of many fans, should the rivalry become heated with an upset at UFC 298.