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Ilia Topuria didn’t mince words when reflecting on his encounter with Conor McGregor, an experience he described as profoundly unsettling. In a resurfaced clip from The Wild Project podcast, Topuria shared his thoughts about their meeting during UFC 264. That event is remembered for McGregor’s gruesome leg break in his fight against Dustin Poirier and Topuria’s stunning first-round KO victory over Ryan Hall. Despite their vastly different fates that evening, Topuria’s impression of McGregor was anything but positive.
“Super Bad Vibes”
“Super bad vibes,” Topuria said when describing McGregor. “Look, analyzing people as human beings, let’s look at Conor. A guy, his wife, his children, his family. I can’t give an opinion. I don’t know how these people are. He might be an excellent person, and I perceived his energy in a different way from what it is. He simply came to work, put on a show.”
However, Topuria’s personal takeaway from their interaction was a feeling of unease. “But the feeling I had when he was around was, ‘Keep him away!’ Keep him away. Because you can be Conor McGregor and act however you want, but no one is above me, only God, you know what I’m saying? Congratulations on your career, I respect it. But don’t tell me a thing because I’ll take your head off.”
“An Aura of Hell”
Topuria elaborated on his discomfort, emphasizing the intense energy McGregor radiated. “Just a terrible energy. I swear it felt like his aura came from hell. I wanted to be away from this dude; he had a black energy I have never felt before.”
Topuria’s trainer, Agustin, who is known for his spiritual sensibilities, echoed this sentiment. “Agustin, my trainer, he’s a very spiritual guy. He’s very careful with the energies. He said, ‘This dude is gonna lose badly and split.’ He broke his leg that night. He brought an energy of hell, you know what I’m saying?”
A Tale of Two Trajectories
The UFC 264 event marked a significant turning point for both fighters. McGregor’s devastating injury sidelined him indefinitely, and he has yet to return to active competition over three and a half years later. Meanwhile, Topuria’s star has continued to rise. His victory over Ryan Hall was just the beginning of a meteoric ascent that has seen him capture and defend the UFC Featherweight Championship. Most recently, Topuria secured a decisive victory against former champion Max Holloway, solidifying his status as one of the most dominant fighters in the division.
Reflection on Energy in Combat Sports with Ilia Topuria
Topuria’s account highlights the unique psychological and spiritual dynamics that often accompany high-stakes interactions in combat sports. Fighters are not only competing physically but also navigating the complex energies and personalities that come with the sport’s biggest stages. For Topuria, McGregor’s presence left a lasting impression, serving as a reminder of the diverse and often intense personalities that populate the MMA world.
While McGregor remains one of the sport’s most polarizing figures, Topuria’s rise represents a new wave of talent bringing their own unique energy and skills to the Octagon. Whether McGregor’s aura will ever return to the Octagon remains to be seen, but for now, Topuria is firmly in the spotlight, carrying the Featherweight division into a new era.
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