Ilia Topuria is eager to break into title contention.
The undefeated Georgian star based out of Spain is riding high off his knockout win over Ryan Hall at UFC 264 in July and is going after multiple top-10 ranked featherweights.
But after Topuria (11-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) claimed Calvin Kattar turned down a fight, he pivoted to Dan Ige (15-4 MMA, 7-3 UFC) and wants to fight him in the year’s final pay-per-view event.
“@CalvinKattar, after taking 445 blows in your last fight I would feel ashamed. You know I wouldn’t need more than one to destroy your skull and put you to sleep. I know you need a victory so I understand why you wanted to avoid the fight.
“@Dynamitedan808 you seem like a more daring man. What are you doing December 11? I promise you that I will not take much of your time, it’ll be fast.”
@Dynamitedan808 you seem like a more daring man. What are you doing December 11? I promise you that I will not take much of your time, it’ll be fast.
— Ilia Topuria (@Topuriailia) September 23, 2021
Not one to back down from a challenge, Ige was quick to respond.
“Lol, sure bud that’s what I tell my wife don’t worry babe it’ll be fast “
Lol, sure bud that’s what I tell my wife don’t worry babe it’ll be fast
— Dan “50k” Ige (@Dynamitedan808) September 23, 2021
“ very good! I respect you, but I want that belt and I need to climb in the rankings and if you are willing on December 11 we will see each other and then we will return to our women, although I will not be so fast with mine
“
very good! I respect you, but I want that belt and I need to climb in the rankings and if you are willing on December 11 we will see each other and then we will return to our women, although I will not be so fast with mine
— Ilia Topuria (@Topuriailia) September 24, 2021
And Ige wanted to let Topuria know he’s game and that he can count him in for UFC 269 for now.
“Cool tell your management to get it done. If they come back and say I turned it down like they did with Calv then they’re lying to you. See you soon champ.”
Cool tell your management to get it done. If they come back and say I turned it down like they did with Calv then they’re lying to you. See you soon champ.
— Dan “50k” Ige (@Dynamitedan808) September 24, 2021
Ige is coming off a five-round decision loss to Chan Sung Jung in the main event of UFC on ESPN 25 in June. Prior to that, he scored a 22-second “Performance of the Night” knockout over Gavin Tucker.
Meanwhile, elite grappler Topuria has shown off his striking as of late, dispatching of Damon Jackson and Hall back-to-back in the first round. All but one of the 24-year-old’s pro wins have come by finish.
Ilia Topuria calls out ‘daring man’ Dan Ige for UFC 269 matchup; Ige accepts
