The unexpected rivalry between Ilia Topuria and <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/terence-crawford">Terence Crawford</a> is heating up, even as Crawford celebrates a historic triumph over Canelo Alvarez. The super middleweight champion became undisputed titleholder this past Saturday, yet the attention has partly shifted toward a bizarre cross-sport feud.



The tension began when <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/ilia-topuria">Topuria</a>, the UFC lightweight champion, posted an image of himself with Crawford, prompting fans to speculate who would win in a hypothetical fight. What was intended as a playful engagement quickly turned into confusion and offense. Crawford labeled Topuria “drunk,” insisting he had no interest in facing the UFC fighter in the ring.



Despite Crawford’s dismissal, Topuria fired back on social media, framing the exchange as a challenge and a defense of MMA fighters’ legitimacy. “You say you’re an MMA fan but you don’t even know who I am…. Interesting,” Topuria wrote on X. “The first time we met you told me ‘good luck this week with your fight.’ Your memory fails you… And soon, your chin will too.”



<h2>Is a crossover fight between Crawford and Topuria possible?</h2>



Topuria remains confident he could convince Dana White to allow a boxing match, leveraging White’s involvement in TKO Boxing. The UFC boss has historically opposed crossover bouts featuring his fighters, but the Spaniard believes the timing could be right.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">You say you’re an MMA fan but you don’t even know who I am… interesting. The first time we met you told me ‘good luck this week with your fight.’ Your memory fails you… and soon your chin will too. I’ll represent the entire MMA community. Pound-for-pound #1 in real fights vs… <a href="https://t.co/eM08eo3pBu">https://t.co/eM08eo3pBu</a>— Ilia Topuria (@Topuriailia) <a href="https://twitter.com/Topuriailia/status/1967948196602134835?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 16, 2025</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Crawford, meanwhile, appears unconcerned with the feud. He clarified after his fight with <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/canelo-alvarez">Canelo</a> that he had never seen Topuria compete and didn’t know who he was. “I’m focused on my boxing career and my next challenges,” Crawford said, emphasizing that a fight with Topuria is not on his radar.


 <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" id="BUS#/boxing/why-did-terence-crawford-give-canelo-alvarez-his-champions-belts-back"></div>


<h2>The coincidence of the walkout song</h2>



Adding another twist to the story, Crawford entered the ring for his historic bout against Canelo using Topuria’s walkout song. The super middleweight champion insists it was a coincidence. “I didn’t even know that was his song,” Crawford explained, attempting to downplay any perceived connection.


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Despite the dismissals, Topuria continues to push the narrative on social media, promising to represent the MMA community and challenge boxing’s elite. Fans are left to speculate whether this unlikely feud will escalate or remain a series of heated exchanges online.

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Ilia Topuria makes surprising challenge to Terence Crawford after boxer claims he doesn't know the UFC star - Bolavip US

Topuria makes surprising challenge to Crawford after boxer claims he doesn't know the UFC star

miniaturas

Oh, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/ufc" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UFC</a>, you paint yourselves as tough guys but you love the drama. Tuesday is where the rankings are updated. Following Ilia Topuria‘s win over Charles Oliveira at UFC 317, he is now the number one fighter in the pound-for-pound rankings over Islam Makhachev.



This is just adding drama as <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/ilia-topuria" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ilia Topuria</a> has been vocal about wanting to face Makhachev. Now, Topuria not only owns the belt Makhachev had, but he also is, according to the UFC, the best fighter in the world. Makhachev vacated the lightweight title to go up to welterweight. He will fight 170 lb champion Jack Della Maddalena for the belt.



The pound-for-pound rankings are absolutely platonic. The basic premise of it is to rank the best fighter in the sport if all things were equaled, hence disregarding stuff like weight classes, heights, etc. 



<h2>While the pound-for-pound are platonic, Topuria vs. Makhachev could be real</h2>



Makhachev dominated the 155 lbs division. He racked up four title defenses and elevating himself to a 27-1 record with 18 finishes. He rose to be one of the UFC’s biggest stars and most dominant fighters. Meanwhile, Ilia Topuria was growing as fast as minute rice at 145. Topuria knocked out the best two featherweights of all time in Alex Volkanovski and <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/max-holloway" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Max Holloway</a>. Then, he wanted to face Makhachev at lightweight.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250701_BUS_430595_islam-makhachev-1024x576_3bb78e18.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="Islam Makhachev is fighting for the 170 pounds belt" class="wp-image-430600" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/01145923/islam-makhachev-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/01145923/islam-makhachev-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/01145923/islam-makhachev-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/01145923/islam-makhachev-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/01145923/islam-makhachev-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/01145923/islam-makhachev-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/01145923/islam-makhachev-250x140.jpg 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/01145923/islam-makhachev.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption> Islam Makhachev of Russia reacts after his victor by submission over Renato Moicano of Brazilin a lightweight title fight during UFC 311 at Intuit Dome on January 18, 2025 in Inglewood, California.</figcaption></figure>



However, just as Topuria announced he was vacating the belt at 145 to go to lightweight, Makhachev did the same to go from 155 to 170. This means the megafight we wanted never happened. Having said so, Makhachev has stated he could come back to 155. On the other hand, Topuria has been adamant in fighting Makhachev, saying he knows how to beat him. If stars align, we could still have this fight in the future.


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<h2>Not having a title might’ve cost Makhachev in the rankings</h2>



The UFC is the biggest and baddest MMA promotion in the world. Hence, they are taken as a serious powerhouse when it comes to quality. This is why it can be theorized that having a guy with no belt atop of the pound-for-pound rankings is not a good look. 



With Topuria beating Oliveira in devastating fashion, it was a no-brainer to put him on top. Topuria is marketable, and has a blockbuster fighting style. Having him as the number one fighter in the world is credible. Now, though, there’s a question that has to be asked. If Islam Makhachev wins vs. JDM for the 170 title, will he go back to number one?

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What’s next for Ilia Topuria following his UFC 317 win over Charles Oliveira?

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<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/ufc" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UFC</a> fans around the world are hurting. One of the most popular and beloved fighters of this generation, Charles Oliveira, fell short in his title bout vs. Ilia Topuria on UFC 317’s main event. This is not only a bitter pill to swallow, but puts his future in the division in serious doubts.



See, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/charles-oliveira" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Charles Oliveira</a> is not an up-and-coming prospect. He is a veteran who has been a champion already, but it seems his prime is ending. At 35 years old, this loss might mark the beginning of the end for one of the best fighters the UFC has ever seen.



Oliveira is 3-3 in his last six fights and losing to former champion Islam Makhachev, number one-ranked fighter in the division Arman Tsarukyan, and now-champ Ilia Topuria, Oliveira won’t sniff another title shot anytime soon. To make it worse, he was finished and outclassed twice in those losses.



<h2>How much is left in Oliveira’s tank?</h2>



When you look back at Oliveira’s career, you get amazed. He went from a nobody with potential but lacking character, to one of the most cherished fighters with multiple records in the UFC. The former lightweight champion also possess the most performance bonuses in UFC history (13), most post-fight bonuses in UFC history (20), most finishes in UFC history (20), most submission wins in UFC history (16), and the 2021 UFC award for Fan’s Choice Comeback of the Year.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250629_BUS_429056_charles-olviera-1024x576_00af8d04.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="Charles Oliveira got stunned by Topuria" class="wp-image-429060" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/06/29132811/charles-olviera-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/06/29132811/charles-olviera-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/06/29132811/charles-olviera-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/06/29132811/charles-olviera-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/06/29132811/charles-olviera-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/06/29132811/charles-olviera-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/06/29132811/charles-olviera-250x140.jpg 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/06/29132811/charles-olviera.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Charles Oliveira of Brazil looks on against Arman Tsarukyan in their lightweight fight at T-Mobile Arena on April 13, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.</figcaption></figure>



He has a lot of mileage. It’s not only the scenario for him at 155, or the fact that he’s 35. Oliveira has 47 pro bouts and the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/ilia-topuria" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Topuria</a> knock out might leave him out of action for quite a while. He has no real options to get into the title mix. Also, being too small to fight at 170 and being too big to cut weight back to 145, you must wonder what’s left for Oliveira.


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<h2>The Hall of Fame awaits</h2>



It’s uncertain if he will hang his gloves or not. However, when he does decide to call it a day, Oliveira is a first-ballot Hall of Famer. Being a former champ and having all those records make his case a no-brainer. 



Oliveira is at a crossroads. We will have to wait and see what he, the doctors and the UFC say about his future. Right now, there are a lot of chess pieces in the lightweight division that will move. Maybe that clears Oliveira’s mind as to what’s next.

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<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/ilia-topuria" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ilia Topuria</a> is a phenom. After knocking Charles Oliveira out in the main event of UFC 317, he has now reached double-champ status. While he is growing to be the UFC’s biggest star, now the question has to be asked: who’s next?



At first, he reigned supreme at featherweight. His rise to the top was quick and he then knocked out the two best 145ers of all time in consecutive fights. He took the title from Alex Volkanovski, connecting a big right hand that landed flush, down the pipe of the former champ. Then, he became the first man in history to record a knock out on <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/max-holloway" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Max Holloway</a>.



Having nothing left to prove on featherweight, Topuria decided to go up a weight class. His resume granted him an immediate title shot. The lightweight division had a vacant belt, so the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/ufc" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UFC</a> put Topuria with former champion and fan-favorite Charles Oliveira. After sending Oliveira to the shadow realm, Topuria now has a plethora of new opponents.



First and foremost, he faced off with <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/paddy-pimblett" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Paddy Pimblett</a> just after the fight. These two have a long-standing beef. However, UFC president Dana White said “I don’t know who the hell let [Pimblett] in there. That should’ve never happened. Let’s start there. I was already back in my room, or that would’ve never happened.” Paddy is a candidate but not the number one contender. You also have Justin Gaethje in the mix, or Arman Tsarukyan.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250629_BUS_429010_charles-oliveira-hurt-1024x576_3a3ca508.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="Charles Oliveira got viciously knocked out at UFC 317" class="wp-image-429012" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/06/29122411/charles-oliveira-hurt-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/06/29122411/charles-oliveira-hurt-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/06/29122411/charles-oliveira-hurt-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/06/29122411/charles-oliveira-hurt-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/06/29122411/charles-oliveira-hurt-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/06/29122411/charles-oliveira-hurt-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/06/29122411/charles-oliveira-hurt-250x140.jpg 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/06/29122411/charles-oliveira-hurt.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Charles Oliveira of Brazil receives medical attention after being knocked out by Ilia Topuria of Georgia in the first round of the lightweight main event title during UFC 317 at T-Mobile Arena on June 28, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada.</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Topuria is a legend killer</h2>



Topuria is just 28 years old and his resume already has two-division-champ status and plenty of legends destroyed. Volkanovski, Holloway and Oliveira are certified future Hall of Famers and Topuria put them cold on the canvas.


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However, he also derailed the career of other two prospects the UFC had. First, he knocked out Ryan Hall in 2021. Hall was 8-1 at that point and since then, he only fought once more and has had multiple knee injuries. Topuria also took the hype away from Bryce Mitchell, who was 15-0 at the time. Following that loss, Mitchell is just 2-2 in the UFC and far away from a UFC title shot. Topuria is taking souls in the octagon, left and right. 



<h2>Topuria is on pace to become top 5 of all time</h2>



When you look at the UFC greats, it’s not only the belts they had, but the names they took out in the process. Topuria is building an all-time great resume. If he retired today, he would have a Hall of Fame career at only 28 years old. Not only that, but he is still undefeated with a 17-0 record and 15 finishes. There are no weaknesses on his game.



If he can continue this (there’s no reason to think he won’t), he will end up in the discussion with Demetrious Johnson, Anderson Silva, Georges St-Pierre and Jon Jones, who just recently retired.

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In boxing, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/canelo-alvarez" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Canelo Alvarez</a> remains the sport’s biggest name. On the MMA side, Ilia Topuria has taken the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/ufc" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UFC</a> by storm with his dominance. But could a crossover fight between the two actually happen? The Mexican superstar has now responded.



Canelo Alvarez has built an exceptional career. The Mexican legend has captured multiple titles across different weight classes, cementing his place among the greatest boxers of all time.



Now approaching the final years of his career, fans are beginning to wonder whether Canelo should take a different path—perhaps accepting new challenges outside traditional boxing. That’s why a potential bout against UFC star <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/ilia-topuria" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ilia Topuria</a> doesn’t sound far-fetched.



<h2>Canelo Alvarez addresses the possibility of facing UFC star Ilia Topuria</h2>



Mexico has produced many elite boxers over the years, and right now, Canelo Alvarez stands at the top. But with retirement looming, the door may be opening for the champion to explore high-profile crossover fights.



Recently, Canelo revealed that he could fight for another two or three years. Following that statement, fans began speculating whether he should take on blockbuster bouts that would keep him in the spotlight as his career winds down.


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While he’s received multiple challenges from Jake Paul, it seems a new opportunity has emerged. When asked about the possibility of fighting Ilia Topuria, the reigning UFC champion, Canelo didn’t shut the idea down.



“I have a lot of gratitude for fighters that take a little bit of my fighting and respect it, it’s awesome to see other fighters like me,” said during the press conference of his fight against Terence Crawford. “Let’s see, in terms of fighting him, first things first, let’s worry about this now.”



The main obstacle to a fight would be the weight difference. Topuria recently moved up from featherweight to lightweight in UFC 317 and currently weighs around 155 pounds. In contrast, Canelo competes at super middleweight, around 167.5 pounds, and hasn’t dropped below that division since 2020.


<div class="wp_fsn_poll" id="68604c289a59e2e0ea8f7585" data-title="Who would win in a potential boxing bout?" data-options="2"></div>

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Latest news from Ilia Topuria. Find out about all the news related to Ilia Topuria on bolavip.com/en