You just won't stop, will you?
Topuria wants to be able to claim to be a dual belt holder.
He can't make 135. He'll get smoked at 155. The only belt that he feels will help him make this claim he is absolutely begging for. It's pathetic really. He has called out fighters he can't/won't fight, this is a fact. He has said no one deserves a shot at his title. Also, a fact.
Yet here he is begging and trying to steal Max's shine. This isn't negotiating, but whatever helps you sleep at night. Max Holloway has 26 career wins, 12 "of the night" bonuses and a far superior resume. Topuria has 15 career fights with notable wins over Volkanovski and Emmett and 3 "of the night" bonuses.
Ilia's on meth if he thinks he's the A-side between these two.