Ilia Topuria spoke about his social media conflict with Cristiano Ronaldo, which seemingly ended with a surprising move from the football star.
Last October, the Manchester United and Real Madrid legend was seen making unflattering remarks about the former UFC featherweight champion during a conversation with Francis Ngannou.
Ronaldo, 40, stated that Topuria “talks too much” and hadn`t defeated anyone significant before his fight with Max Holloway.
Topuria, a lifelong fan of “Los Blancos,” was disappointed by Ronaldo`s comment and expressed his displeasure on social media.
He replied: “I didn`t expect someone like you to be unable to distinguish between confidence and arrogance.”
Five-time Ballon d`Or winner Ronaldo did not respond directly to the Georgian-born Spaniard. Instead, he eventually followed him on social media, becoming one of the 603 people he follows on Instagram.
In an interview on The Ariel Helwani Show, Topuria commented on the situation: “I think he said something about me when he was backstage with Ngannou, and honestly, it felt bad.
“But then he started following me. So we`ll see. Maybe one day we`ll meet and talk.
“I already said that when he meets me in person, he won`t have that opinion of me.
“That I talk too much and all that. But maybe that`s the impression they get when they see me on social media.
“After all that, he started following me. Maybe he saw something different in me.”
Topuria, 28, will return to the octagon early Sunday morning in the main event of UFC 317 in Las Vegas.
He will fight to become the promotion`s tenth two-division champion, competing for the vacant lightweight title against former belt holder Charles Oliveira.
Regarding the upcoming fight in “Sin City,” he said: “Charles is a great fighter.
“I`d say he`s a legendary fighter, one of the few still actively competing in the UFC.
“But the truth is, his style perfectly suits mine to put him to sleep in the first round.
“Because he has no mobility, he doesn`t move.”
Elton Marrow