Ilia Topuria tells Cristiano Ronaldo to 'f*ck himself' & invites Lionel Messi to his next fight as UFC star reignites war of words with Al-Nassr icon

Featherweight champion Topuria has previously spent time rubbing shoulders with Real Madrid players of past and present, including Jude Bellingham and Sergio Ramos. The Georgian-born fighter is now based in Spain and would appear to have a soft spot for the Blancos.

For many, any ties to the Liga giants would see Ronaldo heralded as a superhero – given all that he achieved as a Galactico at Santiago Bernabeu. Topuria has, however, become embroiled in a surprising war of words with CR7, having seen the five-time Ballon d’Or winner favour Max Holloway in their clash at UFC 308. Ronaldo was caught on camera saying: “[Topuria] speaks too much. I think when he [beat] Volk, Volk wasn’t ready because of that kick. He didn’t fight with the top guys.”

Topuria has now responded, telling Juanma Castano of El Partidazo Cope ahead of upcoming UFC events in the United States: “I saw a clip where he said that I’m all talk. Cristiano, he always got something to say. I’m going to personally invite Messi because he lives there. I would like to fight the number one contender, who is Charles Oliveira. We have Messi, Ronaldo can f*ck himself.”

Argentine superstar Messi is based in America at present as he turns out for MLS side Inter Miami. It may be that he fills a ringside seat the next time that Topuria takes to the octagon - having already met El Matador - while Al-Nassr forward Ronaldo remains a regular attendee of marquee boxing events in Saudi Arabia.