‘We Have Lost An Idol’

Is the respect for Conor McGregor as a fighter diminished beyond repair? It seems that might be the case among some of the current UFC champions.

Reigning UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria spoke candidly in a recent video with popular YouTuber Ibai when asked if he would be interested in fighting McGregor.

“I wouldn’t like to fight McGregor,” Topuria said while riding an exercise bike. “I mean, McGregor would be an option if I could fight him. But right now, I’m telling you that of they offered me a fight with him, I’d say no because there are bigger fights than him.”

Ibai asked Topuria if he believed McGregor was still as good as he once was. “I know he is not what he was. He’s not the McGregor that moved masses. He’s a McGregor that represents drugs and alcohol more than sport. I have been inspired by Conor. I admired him when I was little. And he has lost it because he has betrayed the values that have brought him to the top. We have lost an idol.”

You can watch the entire video below. It is pretty entertaining as Topuria tries to help Ibai get into shape.

Topuria’s comments aren’t coming out of the blue. McGregor and the undefeated champion have exchanged insults and barbs over the past year. McGregor was recently in Spain, and he told a reporter he’d “slap the head off” Topuria and he would “slap him back to Georgia,” where the 27-year-old was born.

“So the statements he’s made about me, does he respect me as a fighter,” Topuria asked rhetorically. “100% he respects me as a fighter and he knows that I’m on another level compared to him. But he will never acknowledge it and say it publicly because he’s not that type of person.”

Topuria’s next fight is set for October 26 in Abu Dhabi where he will defend his title against former champion Max Holloway.

McGregor has two fights left on his contract with the UFC. It seems unlikely he could get into a position to fight Topuria. McGregor’s next fight could be against Michael Chandler, though the latter is now set to fight Charles Oliveira in a rematch at UFC 309 in November at Madison Square Garden.

McGregor fighting someone like Nate Diaz or Jorge Masvidal seems more realistic. After those two fights are done, it seems McGregor is interested in fighting for Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship where he is part owner. That concept makes it even less likely McGregor and Topuria will ever meet.

The more significant takeaway from this exchange is the thought that McGregor has lost so much appeal that a fighter of Topuria’s ilk would suggest the sport has “lost an idol.”

Those are strong words and perhaps more impacting because many fear he might be right.