The age-old debate of boxer vs. MMA fighter has raged on since James Toney’s ill-fated UFC bout against Randy Couture. Years later, the script flipped when Conor McGregor stepped into the boxing ring with Floyd Mayweather, followed by Francis Ngannou’s high-profile clashes against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. Now, the rivalry has a new chapter, featuring reigning UFC 155lbs champion Ilia Topuria and boxing great Terence Crawford.
While Crawford named Cody Garbrandt as the best boxer to ever compete inside the Octagon, Topuria fired back with a bold claim of his own, promising he would knock out the undefeated 41-0 ‘Bud’ with ease.