Ilia Topuria says if he can’t take BMF belt, he’ll make it worthless

Veteran MMA fighter Max Holloway said his BMF belt isn’t up for grabs when he takes on Ilia Topuria for the featherweight title at UFC 308. Perhaps unhappy that he’s the only one risking it all in the fight, Topuria dropped a logic bomb to obliterate Holloway’s stinginess:

"You will lose a lot of value if someone comes and defeats you, even if you don't put the BMF belt at stake,” The Georgian and Spanish fighter said, per CBS reporter Shakiel Mahjouri. “Imagine what's going to happen after Oct. 26 when I knock him out. His belt won't have any value anymore. You can call yourself the BMF, but I'm not sure.”

Holloway won the BMF belt with an incredible knockout of Justin Gaethje at UFC 300. The Hawaiian muay thai practitioner’s unwillingness to put his BMF title on the line could indicate a lack of confidence as he prepares to face Topuria.

After all, Topuria, 27, is undefeated and five years younger than the 32-year-old Holloway. Topuria also made easy work of former champion Alexander Volkanovski — who beat Holloway twice — to claim his featherweight belt. So, in case he fails against Topuria, Holloway is holding onto his BMF status to ensure he has another high-profile fight in the chamber.

But should that be the case, Topuria is still correct. If he beats Holloway on Saturday, he’ll be the rightful BMF champion, regardless of who officially holds the title.

So Holloway should stop playing coy and go all in. Isn’t that what a true BMF would do?