‘I’m a Former UFC Champion

Terence Crawford has been warned to avoid fighting Ilia Topuria by a former UFC champion and Hall of Famer. Talk of a crossover bout between the pair gathered pace after ‘Bud’ turned the script upside down last weekend to defeat undisputed super-middleweight champion, Canelo Alvarez by unanimous decision.

While making his entrance to Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas for the Netflix-streamed showdown, Crawford walked out to ‘El Matador’ by Antonio Banderas – the same walkout song that Topuria uses in the UFC. Although the Omaha native would later claim that his choice of music was a tribute to Banderas, rather than a shot at Topuria, fans of both sports couldn’t help but take it that way.

Speculation over a potential super-fight has only been increased by the fact that Crawford has seemingly got little left to achieve in boxing after his triumph over Alvarez. The 37-year-old now holds a record of 42-0, with 32 knockouts, with victories against Amir Khan, Kell Brook, Shawn Porter and Errol Spencer Jr, as well as the biggest win of his career against Canelo.

As his career winds down, the temptation to sign up for a lucrative showdown with Topuria could prove too much for Crawford. The crossover route has been taken by the likes of Floyd Mayweather (vs Conor McGregor) and Tyson Fury (vs Francis Ngannou) in recent years, delivering substantial payoffs in the process.

Former UFC Middleweight Champion Michael Bisping has urged Crawford not to be seduced by the money on offer, warning him that he could “tarnish his legacy” by taking the fight.

Michael Bisping Explains Why Terence Crawford Must Avoid Ilia Topuria

Responding to a question about whether Crawford ‘needed’ to fight Topuria, Bisping insisted:

In addressing the potential fight, Bisping pointed to his own decision to turn down a cross-over bout with social media star Jake Paul after he had walked away from the Octagon.

For as respected as Topuria is for his accomplishments in the world of MMA, a win over the adopted Spaniard would do nothing for the American’s boxing legacy. Meanwhile, a bout with ‘El Matador’ under the UFC banner likely wouldn’t last long given Crawford’s lack of formal MMA training.

With UFC CEO Dana White now heavily involved in boxing after promoting Crawford’s win over Alvarez, a clash between ‘Bud’ and Topuria wouldn’t necessarily be tough to negotiate. However, it may also not be one that benefits either man’s career.