Ilia Topuria vs. Prime Conor McGregor: Who Would Win?
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It’s hard to talk fantasy matchups across UFC history without bringing up Ilia Topuria vs. Conor McGregor. It would be a true showdown between superstars.
What makes this matchup fascinating is not just their differences, but also their similarities. Both athletes have elite striking, magnetic personalities, and the rare distinction of being champions in multiple weight classes. McGregor earned the nickname ‘Mystic Mac’ for a reason, and Topuria has shown a similar knack for predicting outcomes in his own way.
A matchup between McGregor and Topuria could become the highest-selling pay-per-view in UFC history. These two transcendent fighters, each with the ‘it factor,’ would attract a massive audience. Now imagine how those numbers would climb if Conor McGregor were still in his prime.
Fortunately, I’m here to explore that thrilling yet hypothetical scenario. Let’s break down the key elements and determine which superstar would come out on top in a clash between Ilia Topuria and a prime Conor McGregor.
Strengths:
Ilia Topuria is an outstanding striker known for his accurate and powerful boxing and combinations. Although he doesn’t utilize it frequently in the UFC, Topuria is also an underrated grappler with more submission victories than knockouts.
Conor McGregor is similarly an elite striker, employing his karate stance to deliver precise strikes with remarkable knockout power. One of McGregor’s greatest strengths lies in his distance management and movement. Additionally, he possesses underrated grappling defense skills.
Weaknesses:
Ilia Topuria has faced challenges against longer, rangier opponents with effective kicking techniques. He has yet to encounter a southpaw who is not primarily a grappler (only Bryce Mitchell and Ryan Hall). Moreover, Topuria appears significantly smaller in the lightweight division at 155 pounds.
Conor McGregor’s most notable weakness is his cardio. He is known to struggle in the later rounds, particularly after the second and third rounds. While Topuria’s ground game remains largely untested in the UFC, grappling is not McGregor’s forte. Conor also becomes less effective as a striker when forced into close-range exchanges.
Mental Warfare:
Conor McGregor is widely considered the best trash talker in the UFC, and possibly in all of combat sports. His ability to get inside his opponents’ heads before a fight is unmatched. While Topuria is sharp with his words in Spanish, his recent grasp of English limits his impact in this area.
McGregor’s wit and command of the language allow him to deliver jabs that fire up the crowd. Still, nothing he says would shake Ilia Topuria’s unshakable confidence. That said, McGregor holds the clear edge when it comes to pre-fight mind games.
Striking:
The striking exchanges in this fight would captivate audiences for generations. McGregor’s five-inch reach advantage and his ability to cause damage from range could pose serious problems for Topuria. Still, Topuria’s ability to cut off the cage and trap McGregor in close exchanges could shift momentum in his favor.
I would give the edge to McGregor in the first two rounds as he uses his kicks and distance control effectively. But if he fails to secure an early knockout, Topuria is likely to close the gap and land something big, especially as McGregor begins to fade in the later rounds.
Conor is most dangerous early, so if Topuria can weather the storm, his chances improve dramatically. That said, Topuria is also capable of ending the fight early, making a first-round finish from either side a very real possibility in the sportsbooks.
Grappling/Wrestling:
In this area, Ilia Topuria holds a clear advantage. As a BJJ black belt with underrated wrestling, he presents a real challenge for McGregor. Unlike Conor, Topuria can take the fight to the ground if things aren’t going his way on the feet. Once there, he could hunt for his ninth submission win or finish the fight with ground-and-pound, as he has in the past.
McGregor has shown toughness on the ground against elite opponents like Khabib Nurmagomedov, and his grappling defense is serviceable. Still, the edge in this category belongs to Topuria.
Who Wins?
This matchup would be one of the most thrilling striking contests in UFC history. Conor McGregor’s early power gives him a real chance to secure a finish in rounds one or two. However, Topuria’s well-rounded skill set and durability make him a threat at any stage of the fight.
The evolution of MMA must be considered when making fantasy matchups between fighters from different eras. Topuria is the reigning champion in a more advanced version of the sport. While McGregor’s championship reign was iconic, the game has progressed significantly since 2015.
Ultimately, I believe the fight would end with a round three finish by Ilia Topuria. His ability to close the distance and land a clean shot capable of dropping fighters like Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway, and Charles Oliveira gives him a clear path to victory. Even if McGregor finds early success on the feet, Topuria’s intelligence and grappling skills could lead to a takedown and a potential submission.
Who do you think would win? Let us know in the comments below!
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