MMA star Ilia Topuria vows to 'knock out' La Liga chief Javier Tebas over El Clasico scheduling - with Real Madrid vs Barcelona clashing with his UFC 308 fight against Max Holloway

The iconic La Liga showdown, which will take place at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday at 9 pm Spanish time (8 pm UK time), clashes with Topuria’s much-awaited UFC bout against Holloway in Dubai. Topuria’s fight is set to begin at 10:30 pm, just as the Clasico is nearing its final quarter, causing disappointment for the MMA star.

Topuria, who is a loyal Real Madrid fan, voiced his discontent and told reporters: "Let's see if I've made a mistake and instead of knocking out Holloway, I have to knock out the person responsible for putting that match at the same time and on the same day as my fight."

When a journalist pointed out that Tebas, the president of La Liga, is the one responsible for scheduling decisions, Topuria didn’t hold back. With a mischievous smile, the UFC featherweight champion responded, “Then we will go for Javier Tebas. He’s next.”

Tebas, not one to shy away from verbal jugglery, quickly took to social media to address Topuria’s remarks.

He wrote on X: "Ilia Topuria, I didn’t know I was in your knockout plans! I’m warning you that I’m harder to knock out than scheduling El Clasico at the time everyone wants.”

The official ended his response by sending his best wishes to the fighter, saying, “But give Max Holloway your all!”

Real Madrid has previously shown its support for Topuria as he was invited to perform the ceremonial kick-off during Los Blancos' match against Sevilla at the Santiago Bernabeu back in February following his triumph over Alexander Volkanovski to become the first UFC featherweight champion from Spain.

Following the El Clasico showdown on Saturday, Carlo Ancelotti’s men are set to face Valencia and Osasuna in La Liga, with a Champions League date with AC Milan on November 6 sandwiched between the two domestic fixtures.