Ilia Topuria, UFC featherweight champion, has revealed his disappointment in former idol Conor McGregor, calling out the Irish athlete for abandoning the principles that once made him a global sensation.
Topuria, who dominated 2024 by capturing the UFC featherweight title with a knockout win over Alexander Volkanovski and defending it with another emphatic KO against Max Holloway, spoke candidly about how his view of McGregor has changed.
Known as “El Matador,” the Georgian-Spanish star recently criticized McGregor during a workout session, saying the former two-division champion, who inspired him in his youth, is no longer a positive figure to look up to.
“I know he’s not what he was. He is a McGregor who represents alcohol and drugs more than sport,” Topuria said in a pointed statement.
“I was inspired by Conor. He was an inspiration for me when I was young. Myself and a lot of other people I know wanted to follow in his footsteps because he was an example of faith that everything can be achieved through hard work, consistency, and effort. And he lost all of that because he betrayed the values that led him to his success,” he added.
McGregor’s fall from grace has been widely publicized. The Irish superstar, once celebrated for his meteoric rise from humble beginnings to winning world titles in two weight classes, has faced many legal battles and controversies in recent years.
Most recently, McGregor was found guilty of sexual assault in a civil case that resulted in nearly €250k in damages. Allegations of misconduct and substance abuse have further eroded his public image.
For Topuria, who modeled his career after McGregor’s hard work and dedication, seeing his former hero embroiled in such issues is deeply disappointing. “He betrayed the values that led him to his success,” Topuria reiterated, emphasizing that McGregor’s shift toward a lifestyle associated with “alcohol and drugs” is at odds with the ideals he once stood for.
While McGregor continues to make headlines for his controversies, Topuria is carving out a legacy of his own inside the octagon.
By delivering highlight-reel performances and staying true to his values, “El Matador” is becoming the new face of the sport for the next generation of MMA fans.
