Ilia Topuria has once again set social networks on fire with a message addressed directly to Ryan Garcia after the American boxer publicly questioned his striking and assured that he would give him a "boxing lesson".
The response of the Spanish-Georgian champion did not take long to arrive.
Topuria published a forceful message in which he left one of the most commented phrases of the last few hours: "You built your name with hype. I built mine by sending legends to sleep".
The UFC champion continued to raise the tone even more by assuring that he could give a "boxing lesson" to Garcia and even stating that he would beat both him and the opponent he will supposedly face in September "on the same night".
The exchange began after some statements by Ryan Garcia in which he belittled Topuria's striking within professional boxing. The American assured that Ilia "is very good for MMA", but that in a boxing match he would end up "drinking with a straw" after fighting him.
Topuria's answer fit perfectly with the dominant and extremely confident character he has built since his arrival at the elite of UFC.
And seeing the moment he is going through, it is not surprising that many fans are starting to take seriously any verbal exchange related to him.
Topuria comes from becoming one of the biggest stars of mixed martial arts after his victories over Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway, two authentic featherweight legends. Precisely that reference to "sending legends to sleep" makes a direct allusion to the knockouts that completely changed his career and placed him at the top of the UFC.
For his part, Ryan Garcia continues to be one of the most mediatic figures in modern boxing, although also one of the most controversial. Her last years have been marked by explosive statements, problems outside the ring and constant controversies on social networks.
The difference is that while Garcia is going through a much more irregular stage inside and outside boxing, Topuria is probably living the best moment of her entire sports career.
The exchange also proves something that the UFC has been understanding perfectly for some time: Topuria generates constant conversation even outside the MMA.
Every time he speaks, the networks explode.
And that's exactly what turns the big names into global superstars.
At the moment there is no real indication of a fight between the two, but that hasn't stopped thousands of fans from fantasizing about the idea of seeing Topuria facing boxing figures.
Especially after the absolute confidence he transmits every time he talks about his striking skills.
Because if there's one thing Ilia Topuria has made clear in the last few hours, it's that he doesn't intend to stoop to anyone... not even against a world boxing star.