- The American mocked Real Madrid and Ilia Topuria ahead of his UFC title bout
- Max Holloway revealed he has been sent a personalised gift from Madrid’s rival
- Topuria is favourite heading into the mammoth title clash in Abu Dhabi
Max Holloway’s title belt clash against Ilia Topuria at UFC 308 has seen the rivalry backed by two of the world’s biggest football clubs who are also set to do battle on the pitch at the weekend.
American fighter Holloway is bidding to become UFC featherweight champion in Abu Dhabi and will have to end Topuria’s undefeated record to do so.
Topuria is the favourite heading into the clash after brutally knocking out Alexander Volkanovski in February, but faces a difficult first title defence against an inspired Holloway.
Now, Barcelona are trying to help Holloway get over the line after sending the 32-year-old a personalised homme shirt ahead of his upcoming contest Topuria.
That’s because Topuria is a Real Madrid supporter and despite originally hailing from Germany fights out of Alicante, Spain and shares a close relationship with the mega football club.
Max Holloway’s (left) title belt clash against Ilia Topuria (right) at UFC 308 has seen the rivalry backed by two of the world’s biggest football clubs
Topuria is favourite heading in to the huge clash after knocking out former champion Alex Volkanovski (left)
When Topuria reigned victorious at the start of the year, Madrid celebrated his victory over Volkanovski by hailing him in a social media post where they labelled him ‘a great Madridista’.
The club later welcomed him to the Santiago Bernabeu and recognised his achievement before a match, with Barcelona now choosing to back his next opponent.
Barcelona sent Holloway a personalised home shirt ahead of his upcoming bout
Real Madrid support Topuria and want him to reign victorious in his title defence against Holloway
Coincidentally, LaLiga leaders Barcelona will travel to Madrid on the same day of Topuria’s clash with Holloway for a mouth-watering first El Clasico battle of the season.
Revealing his gift, Holloway showcased a No.9 shirt – usually worn by Robert Lewandowski – that had his name inscribed into the back of it.
Confidently backing himself to reign victorious, Holloway held up the Barcelona strip, stating: ‘I got this gifted from Barcelona and they gave me the number nine for striker because they know.
‘Barcelona kit and I guess Barcelona will be going two-and-zero on Saturday night,’ he said in an attempt to mock Madrid and Topuria.
