The trash talk is starting to heat up between the featherweight champ and No. 1 contender as they prepare for a showdown in Anaheim this February.
Things are heating up as Alexander Volkanovski and Ilia Topuria prepare for their February 17th featherweight title fight at UFC 298.
In a new video shared on his YouTube channel, Volkanovski revealed he was already weeks into a 12 week training camp, and he has former UFC fighter Brad Riddell in the gym to imitate Topuria’s striking style.
“I’ve got Brad Riddell over who’s obviously a great training partner in general but stylistically he’s a very good boxer himself,” Volk said. “I think he can simulate Ilia. I think, to be honest, he can give me a lot more problems than what Ilia will. And that’s not knocking Ilia, that’s just showing how good Brad is. Brad’s had hundreds of kickboxing matches and had a heap of boxing matches, so a strong powerful stocky dude as well.”
“I’m taking this fight serious,” he continued. “I’m taking Ilia serious. He thinks he’s the man, let’s see if he is. I’m ready for the best version that turns up February 17th. Let’s see what we have in store. I’m going to be ready either way. I see he’s confident. He’s a confident cocky young dude. Let’s see if he’s gonna bring it, because I’m gonna. Can’t wait to show him levels.”
“I’ve seen a lot in my game, I think I’m in my prime. Gonna show this young man that there are levels and I am king of this division and he ain’t taking nothing from me. I’m coming for that 0.”
Ilia Topuria wasn’t impressed with Volkanovski’s words.
“If you think someone can imitate me, that means that your last fight has left you with lasting effects!” Topuria wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “I will knock you out in the first round. You’re old, it’s time to retire. It is time to move on and make way for the new era of Topuria.”
If you think someone can imitate me, that means that your last fight has left you with lasting effects! I will knock you out in the first round. You’re old, it’s time to retire. It is time to move on and make way for the new era of Topuria.
— Ilia Topuria (@Topuriailia) January 6, 2024
Topuria is so confident in an upcoming win over Volkanovski that he’s prematurely improved his 14-0 record to 15-0 on his social media bios.
“What did he put on his Instagram?” Volkanovski said. “That he’s a champ, that he’s 15-0, whatever it is. I’m looking forward to seeing him change that to 14-1 and non-champion. Ah man, that’s gonna suck. That’s gonna be embarrassing for him.”
UFC 298 goes down February 17th from the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. Also on the card: a bantamweight contender’s bout between Merab Dvalishvili and Henry Cejudo, plus a welterweight grudge match between Ian Garry and Geoff Neal.