In a week already brimming with anticipation for one of boxing’s most electrifying matchups, the combat sports world found itself buzzing with an unexpected sideshow: the war of words between undefeated boxing superstar Terence Crawford and UFC’s newly crowned two-division champion Ilia Topuria. With Crawford set to make a historic leap up two weight classes to face Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez this Saturday in Las Vegas, the timing of Topuria’s bold challenge couldn’t have been more dramatic—or more entertaining.
It all began on September 10, 2025, when Topuria, fresh off his stunning knockout win over Charles Oliveira at UFC 317, took to social media to stoke the flames. "I won’t talk about what would happen between me and Crawford in an Octagon, I’ll talk about what would happen in a ring," Topuria tweeted. "I put him to sleep in the first contact!!" The audacious claim immediately caught fire among fans and pundits, adding a spicy subplot to an already stacked fight week in Las Vegas.
Crawford, never one to shy away from a little verbal sparring, was quick to respond. During a lively media day press conference at the Fontainebleu resort, he was asked to address Topuria’s knockout threat. With a smirk and a sharp sense of humor, Crawford delivered a mic-drop response: "That dude’s drunk. A lot of MMA guys, they drink a lot. He must have been on that alcohol." The room erupted in laughter, and just like that, Crawford had turned Topuria’s boast into a viral moment.
But what’s really behind this cross-sport banter? For starters, both men are riding waves of momentum that have made them household names in their respective disciplines. Crawford, unbeaten in his professional career and widely considered one of boxing’s pound-for-pound kings, is coming off a masterclass victory over Errol Spence Jr. in 2023. His willingness to jump two full weight classes to challenge Canelo Alvarez for the super middleweight titles is the kind of audacious move that cements legacies.
"Canelo is a first-ballot Hall of Famer, and I think that I’m a first-ballot Hall of Famer. So whether win, lose, or draw, both of us are going into the Hall of Fame, and that’s the ultimate goal at the end of the day, to be named with all the great fighters that came before us, to be inducted into the Hall of Fame for all that we’ve done in the sport of boxing," Crawford told GIVE ME SPORT and assembled reporters. His focus, he insisted, remains squarely on the monumental task ahead at Allegiant Stadium, home of the Las Vegas Raiders.
Topuria, meanwhile, has rapidly carved out a reputation as one of MMA’s most dangerous finishers. In a remarkable three-fight stretch from early 2024 to mid-2025, he dispatched Alexander Volkanovski for the UFC featherweight title at UFC 298, then knocked out Max Holloway before vacating the featherweight belt and moving up to lightweight. There, he capped off his run by knocking out Charles Oliveira, becoming a rare two-division UFC champion. Talk about a meteoric rise!
It’s no wonder Topuria’s confidence is sky-high. But Crawford, who has only fought once at super welterweight—a decision win over Israil Madrimov—seems unfazed by the crossover chatter. When asked if he’d consider stepping into the cage or even entertaining Topuria’s challenge, Crawford brushed it off with characteristic coolness. "I’m more than ready to go out there and perform this Saturday," he declared. "I’m 1,000% sure I secure another victory." For now, the boxing ring is his only concern.
Still, the hypothetical matchup between the two champions has set imaginations alight. Topuria’s knockout artistry against Crawford’s technical wizardry—who wouldn’t want to see that? Yet, as UFC boss Dana White has hinted, such crossovers are easier said than done. With the UFC eyeing a foray into boxing in 2026 and premium live events like Canelo-Crawford on the horizon, the lines between the two sports are blurring, but not quite dissolving.
Interestingly, the roots of this rivalry might trace back to a recent comment by Crawford, who named former UFC bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt as MMA’s top boxer, rather than Topuria. Whether that snub fanned the flames or not, it’s clear both men enjoy a bit of gamesmanship. Topuria’s tweet was classic fight-promotion bravado, and Crawford’s retort was equally sharp—two athletes at the peak of their powers, each with a gift for the spotlight.
For fans, the real treat is watching these personalities collide, even if only in the press and on social media. The tension has brought extra attention to Saturday’s main event, as if it needed any more hype. Crawford’s historic challenge against Canelo Alvarez is already being billed as one of the biggest fights in recent memory. By bypassing the entire middleweight division and facing Canelo at super middleweight, Crawford is chasing greatness in the boldest way possible.
Meanwhile, Topuria isn’t short on options in his own sport. With potential blockbuster bouts against the likes of Islam Makhachev on the horizon, and the UFC’s continued global expansion, he’s poised to remain a headliner for years to come. Whether Dana White allows a crossover clash with Crawford remains to be seen, but the mere suggestion has captured the imagination of fight fans everywhere.
As fight week reaches its fever pitch, Crawford and Topuria have managed to create a spectacle within a spectacle. Their playful, pointed exchanges are a reminder of what makes combat sports so captivating: the blend of skill, bravado, and unpredictability. Will Crawford add another historic chapter to his legacy against Canelo? Will Topuria continue his reign of terror in the Octagon—or perhaps, one day, in the ring?
For now, all eyes are on Las Vegas, where Crawford’s focus remains unshakable and Topuria’s bravado echoes across the fight world. The bout between Crawford and Canelo Alvarez is set for Saturday, September 13, 2025, and promises fireworks. As for the cross-sport showdown? The intrigue lingers, but the real action is just hours away in the boxing capital of the world.
