Former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw has heaped huge praise on current featherweight champion, Ilia Topuria, following his recent KO win over Max Holloway at UFC 308.
Almost a week removed from Ilia Topuria's incredible title defense against Max Holloway at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi, the 27-year-old is still getting all the plaudits from current and former fighters.
'El Matador' became the first fighter to knock out 'Blessed' Holloway, etching his name in the history books and cementing himself as the best boxer in the UFC, a title previously donned by Holloway.
Former UFC bantamweight champion, TJ Dillashaw, believes that Holloway got too comfortable in the second round of their featherweight title fight.
Holloway started the fight in typical Holloway fashion, throwing far more volume than his opponent, and beginning to find openings with his combinations. Heading into the third round, he seemed to be getting into his rhythm even more, and growing in confidence.
The former champion believes Holloway getting comfortable too early in the fight marked the beginning of the end for him.
"I think (Holloway) got too comfortable in the second round. He started piecing (Topuria) up, right? He's using his distance, he had a great jab, he's hammering his jab, and Max is a volume guy," Dillashaw claimed on the Jaxxon Podcast.
"His volumes working, he gets better and better as the fight goes on, and I think when it got into the third round, he got a little too comfortable and Topuria is fast as f*ck. He did that slapping hook to get his hand away from his face with that overhand right and then it changed everything," Dillashaw continued.
The UFC has seen some phenomenal boxers compete in the Octagon over the years, but Holloway was the self-proclaimed 'best boxer in the UFC baby'.
Dillashaw shared the cage with his fair share of solid boxers, Cody Garbrandt being one before his shocking demise.
Despite that, the 38-year-old believes Topuria is the best boxer that has ever stepped inside the Octagon, claiming that he could be a professional boxer.
"He could be a boxer. Legitimately I feel like he could be an actual boxer. I think he's the best boxer that's been in the UFC cage in my opinion, technique-wise... He makes you miss with the littlest movements.
"He's not dramatic. He keeps his weight underneath him. His feet are always perfectly underneath him, he can throw with power at any time," Dillashaw continued.
Although his boxing is incredible, Topuria wants to show the fans another side of his game by becoming the first fighter to submit current lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev.