“They all want payday” - Fans drag in Dana White’s UFC pay structure as they react to Ilia Topuria’s ambitious hypothetical boxing venture

Ilia Topuria is riding high on success with his MMA record of 16-0-0. Within a UFC timeline of 8 bouts, the fighter became the featherweight champion by defeating Alexander Volkanovski and even defended it against Max Holloway. Recently, the fighter vacated his featherweight title in order to move up to the lightweight division, aiming for a bout against Islam Makhachev, the reigning champion of the division. However, that dream has not been fulfilled yet. While talking to Patrick Bet-David, the fighter candidly admits that a six-month preparation time can also put him up against any pro boxer around the world. Fans immediately reacted to the statement, where some of them even brought up Dana White's UFC pay structure as one of the reasons for the fighter’s assumed interest in transitioning.
Former UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria is known for making statements and keeping them. The fighter has achieved significantly throughout his career. His last bout was against Max Holloway, which was won by a knockout in the third round. Ever since following his decision to vacate the title, the fighter’s next bout has not been announced yet. Even though Topuria called out Islam Makhachev multiple times, the latter is not keen on facing a contender who recently transitioned from featherweight to lightweight. Others believe that Topuria needs to prove himself before securing a title bout.
While the debate on who Topuria’s going to face next continues, the fighter makes yet another statement that has taken the internet by storm. In a recent interview with Patrick-Bet David, the fighter stated, “If I prepare for six months, only boxing. I don’t do any wrestling, only boxing. Bro, put me whoever you want in front of me. Whoever. I hear a lot of boxers talking like ‘Ilia he has good boxing for MMA, but he has nothing for me in the ring.’ Listen, you don’t have anything to do with me outside, inside, whatever you want.”

The fighter is quite confident about his boxing abilities and hence continued further, “What do you want to do? You want to play a chess match, I’ll beat you. I know how good I am in boxing. I train every day boxing. That’s part of my life. I spar with pro boxers. I consider myself [a pro boxer]. I can box with anyone, just give me six months.”

One of the users wrote, “I would love to see him fight either Crowford or Canelo in boxing match”

Another one wrote, “I think he’s just doing marketing at this point. Can’t blame him”

“Delusional”

“Payday they all want payday.”

“I like the confidence, but there is no way he could defeat any decent-level pro boxers”

Also read: “Thanks Dana” - Former UFC bantamweight champion responds to ‘Dana White Privilege’ rumors at UFC 316 press conference
As Topuria gets ambitious about his hypothetical boxing venture, fans speculate if the fighter would be transitioning between the sports owing to a lack of response regarding this upcoming fight within the MMA circle. Even though the UFC CEO Dana White clarified that no UFC fighter shall be transitioned to the new boxing lague, will Topuria be an exception considering the fighter’s fine boxing skills.