UFC fighter Ilia Topuria, who is Spanish-Georgian, has found himself in a war of words with one of his football idols, Cristiano Ronaldo. Ahead of UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi, the Portuguese star shared his thoughts on Topuria's fight against American Max Holloway in a video that quickly went viral on social media.

During an informal conversation, Cristiano commented that “Topuria talks too much” and expressed his admiration for Holloway, whom he described as a “tough guy.” The footballer also pointed out that Topuria had yet to face the top fighters in the division, though he left open the possibility of acknowledging him if he managed to defeat Holloway.

These comments were not well-received by Topuria, who responded visibly upset on his X account, questioning Ronaldo's perception and emphasizing that, for him, there is a difference between confidence and arrogance. The fighter also wished the Portuguese star success in his future endeavors.

In the end, the fight confirmed Topuria's skills, as he not only defeated Holloway but also achieved something no one had done in the Hawaiian’s 34 fights: knocking him out in the third round, thus earning the respect of the mixed martial arts community. Topuria, who has previously stated his intention to surpass Ronaldo’s fortune in a few years, has taken a significant step forward in his career and remains firm in his ambition to make a mark in the world of sports.