Cristiano Ronaldo blasted by UFC champion Ilia Topuria after Al-Nassr hero says fighter 'talks too much' before he knocked out Max Holloway in title fight

Ronaldo, a noted fan of mixed martial arts, has often shown interest in the combat sports world and was recently spotted supporting former UFC champion Francis Ngannou in his transition to the Professional Fighters League (PFL).

The Portuguese, sharing his thoughts on Topuria’s rise in the UFC, voiced skepticism over the fighter’s recent win over Alexander Volkanovski, suggesting that Volkanovski was “not ready” for the fight due to a lingering injury. Ronaldo commented to Ngannou and his coach, Eric Nicksick, that Topuria still needed to prove himself against more top-tier opponents and backed Max Holloway to beat Topuria in the UFC 308 main event.

“[Topuria] speaks too much… I think when he [beat] Volk [Alexander Volkanovski], Volk wasn’t [ready] because of that kick… [Topuria] didn’t fight with the top guys,” he told Ngannou.“If he beats Max, I will respect [him].”

Once in the octagon, Topuria displayed an electrifying performance against Holloway, showing that his confidence was backed by skill and strategy. The early rounds saw Topuria finding his range, tactically landing punches and moving effectively to control the pace. In the third round, he advanced with a series of precise punches that took Holloway off guard, culminating in a powerful left hook that sent the former champion to the ground. wasted no time following up, launching a barrage of strikes that forced the referee to intervene, marking Topuria’s win with a knockout. With this victory, Topuria’s record remains an impressive 16-0, further solidifying his standing in the UFC as a top competitor.

With this latest victory, Topuria not only silenced his critics but also added a career-defining win to his resume. Basking in its glory, Topuria responded to Ronaldo and said: "I didn't expect someone like you to be unable to distinguish between confidence and arrogance. But, at the end of the day, we all reflect our own reality onto others. I wish you the best for what remains of your career, and God bless your family."

After a 1-1 draw with Al-Hilal in the Suadi Pro League, Ronaldo will face Al-Ain in an AFC Champions League group stage clash this Tuesday.