Tag: alexander volkanovski

Attempting to become the first fighter inside the Octagon to beat Alexander Volkanovski at the featherweight limit – incoming title challenger, Ilia Topuria was heckled with boos throughout tonight’s UFC 298 press conference in Anaheim, before he was corralled by security officials after snatching the Australian’s title belt from his desk.

Topuria, the current number three ranked featherweight contender, headlines his first flagship event this weekend in California, competing for Octagon spoils for the first time in a grudge fight with undisputed gold holder, Volkanovski.

And receiving flak for his barsh bravado in the weeks ahead of his championship outing, Topuira – sporting a three-piece suit, vowed to “humble” Volkanovski during their UFC 298 title fight, in front of a raucous crowd who booed the Spaniard throughout his showing at the presser.

Ilia Topuria grabs title from Alexander Volkanovski

Promising an opening round KO win over New South Wales native, Volkanovski – who has never been beaten at the featherweight limit since his move to the Dana White-led UFC, Topuria snatched the title belt from the desk of the incumbent during the press conference, leading to a heated coming together, before security officials corralled the duo.

Sidelined since last summer, Topuria, who is closing as a slight betting underdog to beat Volkanovski at UFC 298 this weekend, most recently capped off his unbeaten run with a fourteenth consecutive win, in the form of a decision shutout against Josh Emmett.

Facing off with former two-time lightweight title chaser, Volkanovski – who was sporting his “old man” garb to tonight’s festivities, Ilia Topuria was booed and jeered off stage by the attending fans – as he looks to dawn a new era at the featherweight limt, and spawn a fresh undisputed title reign for the first time in five years. 

Who wins at UFC 298: Alexander Volkanovski or Ilia Topuria?

Attempting to become the first fighter inside the Octagon to beat Alexander Volkanovski at the featherweight limit – incoming title challenger, Ilia Topuria was heckled with boos throughout tonight’s UFC 298 press conference in Anaheim, before he was corralled by security officials after snatching the Australian’s title belt from his desk.

Topuria, the current number three ranked featherweight contender, headlines his first flagship event this weekend in California, competing for Octagon spoils for the first time in a grudge fight with undisputed gold holder, Volkanovski.

And receiving flak for his barsh bravado in the weeks ahead of his championship outing, Topuira – sporting a three-piece suit, vowed to “humble” Volkanovski during their UFC 298 title fight, in front of a raucous crowd who booed the Spaniard throughout his showing at the presser.

Ilia Topuria grabs title from Alexander Volkanovski

Promising an opening round KO win over New South Wales native, Volkanovski – who has never been beaten at the featherweight limit since his move to the Dana White-led UFC, Topuria snatched the title belt from the desk of the incumbent during the press conference, leading to a heated coming together, before security officials corralled the duo.

Sidelined since last summer, Topuria, who is closing as a slight betting underdog to beat Volkanovski at UFC 298 this weekend, most recently capped off his unbeaten run with a fourteenth consecutive win, in the form of a decision shutout against Josh Emmett.

Facing off with former two-time lightweight title chaser, Volkanovski – who was sporting his “old man” garb to tonight’s festivities, Ilia Topuria was booed and jeered off stage by the attending fans – as he looks to dawn a new era at the featherweight limt, and spawn a fresh undisputed title reign for the first time in five years. 

Who wins at UFC 298: Alexander Volkanovski or Ilia Topuria?

Undisputed featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski has claimed onlookers should not be necessarily surprised if his fight with incoming title chaser, Ilia Topuria “looks easy” come the conclusion of their UFC 298 title clash this weekend in Anaheim, California. 

Volkanovski, the current undisputed featherweight titleholder, is slated to headline UFC 298 this weekend in California, attempting to lodge another successful defense of his crown in a showdown against the unbeaten, Topuria. 

As for Topuria, the Spaniard headlined a UFC Fight Night Jacksonville card last summer against former interim championship challenger, Josh Emmett – landing a dominant decision win over the Arizona native.

And meeting face-to-face with Topuria during yesterday’s picture shoot – in which the challenger was strapped with Volkanovski’s championship belt, the Australian was predicted as losing his title early and in devastating fashion, according to the former.

Alexander Volkanovski eyes “easy” win over Ilia Topuria

However, as far as New South Wales technician, Volkanovski is concerned, fans and viewers should not be surprised if he landed an “easy’ victory over Topuria at UFC 298.

“I’m ready for a young, hungry prospect to come and bring a fight,” Alexander Volkanovski told assembled media during his availability ahead of UFC 298. “But I won’t be surprised – and you shouldn’t be surprised – if I make it look easy. I’m not saying that’s exactly how it is. I’m not cocky like that. I’ve prepared properly, but if he doesn’t land a punch and I rag-doll him and make him look like nothing in there, you shouldn’t be surprised.”

In his most recent outing at the featherweight limit, Volkanovski successfully unified the divisional titles at UFC 290 back in July of last year during International Fight Week, turning in a dominant, eventual ground strikes TKO win over former interim champion, Yair Rodríguez.

Who wins at UFC 298 this weekend: Alexander Volkanovski or Ilia Topuria?