Tag: alexander volkanovski

Brash featherweight contender, Ilia Topuria may be riding a close betting line into his championship debut at UFC 298 next weekend against Alexander Volkanovski, however, the Georgian is set to release a documentary titled ‘Road to the Belt’ in the immediate aftermath of his headliner, remaining supremely confident of landing gold.

Topuria, the current number five ranked featherweight contender, is slated to take main event honors are UFC 298 in Anaheim, takes on dominant division gold holder, Volkanovski in his first attempt to mint himself as an Octagon gold holder.

Riding an unbeaten winning run since his 2020 debut in the Dana White-led promotion, Topuria most recently landed a wholly one-sided unanimous decision win over former interim featherweight title chaser, Josh Emmett last summer, earning his first championship siege as a result.

Ilia Topuria plans ‘Road to the Belt’ documentary

Currently riding a pick ‘em line of -108 into his UFC 298 headliner, compared to the -112 line on offer for Australian champion, Volkanovski – Topuria’s recent movement on the line is clearly indicative of his recent bravado, which has most certainly contributed to a free anchor including UFC 298 – as he chases gold for the first time.

And announcing intentions to steamroll New South Wales technician, Volkanovski at UFC 298 next weekend, Ilia Topuria claims he will finish the featherweight kingpin inside a single round in California – before turning around and chasing a championship clash against former duel-weight champion, Conor McGregor. 

To some’s surprise to boot, Topuria – who has already labelled himself as the current champion on his official Instagram account, and today, revealed he is set to release a documentary labelled ‘Road to the Belt’ in the aftermath of UFC 298 – remaining confident of snatching spoils from Volkanovski.

Sharing his distinct thoughts on Ilia Topuria’s brash attitude ahead of their championship clash in Anaheim, Volkanovski claimed the former is already viewing himself as an out-and-out “superstar” fighter – before he’s even touched Octagon spoils. 

“He’s (Ilia Topuria) already acting like he’s the champion and thinks he’s this,” Alexander Volkanovski explained. “He literally thinks he’s some superstar already. Oh, mate, that all changes February 17. and he’s gonna have a rude shock. He’s gonna have to literally eat a big humble pie and I get to do that. It’s perfect for my storyline, right now.” 

Shutting down the possibility of title defenses against a host of contenders and former gold holders should he topple Volkanovski next weekend, Ilia Topuria told the likes of ex-champions, Max Holloway, and Yair Rodríguez in their quest for gold once more – as well as incoming UFC Mexico City co-headliner, Brian Ortega.

Making his return to the featherweight limit for the first time since he headlined UFC 290 back in July of last year during International Fight Week, Volkanovski successfully unified the belts on that occasion, stopping then-interim gold holder, Rodríguez with a barrage of ground strikes in the pair’s championship unification bout. 

Last time out, however, Volkanovski was stopped with a brutal high-kick and strikes KO loss in October in a lightweight title rematch with Islam Makhachev, on just two weeks’ notice. 

Undisputed featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski has ripped incoming foe, Ilia Topuria ahead of their UFC 298 title battle next weekend, questioning why the unbeaten contender appears to value himself as a “superstar” of sorts – despite the fact he’s yet to land Octagon spoils.

Volkanovski, the current undisputed featherweight champion, heads into his return at UFC 298 this month off the back of a massive high-kick knockout loss to undisputed lightweight titleholder, Islam Makhachev in the pair’s short-notice championship rematch in October of last year.

And returning to the featherweight limit for the first time since he successfully unified the featherweight titles against then-interim champion, Yair Rodríguez at UFC 290 last summer during International Fight Week, Volkanovski welcomes the charge of the charismatic, Topuria.

Already staking his claim for a title fight with former two-division champion, Conor McGregor – in a lucrative title clash in the future, Topuria has already ruled out defenses against perennial featherweight forces, Max Holloway, Brian Ortega, and the above-mentioned, Rodríguez.

Alexander Volkanovski rips Ilia Topuria ahead of UFC 298

As far as Volkanovski is concerned, however, he has his reservations regarding Topuria’s stance on his future – questioning how the challenger already sees himself as some form of “superstar”.

“He’s (Ilia Topuria) already acting like he’s the champion and thinks he’s this,” Alexander Volkanovski told the FREESTYLEBENDER YouTube channel. “He literally thinks he’s some superstar already. Oh, mate, that all changes February 17. and he’s gonna have a rude shock. He’s gonna have to literally eat a big humble pie and I get to do that. It’s perfect for my storyline, right now.” 

Himself also weighing-up his future – at least at the featherweight limit ahead of his UFC 298 title fight return, New South Wales native, Volkanovski claims his journey at the lightweight class is far from over, despite his double-salvo of championship fight losses to the dominant incumbent, Makhachev.

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

The undefeated Ilia Topuria is extremely confident in his abilities leading into the biggest fight of his career at UFC 298.

Although Alexander Volkanovski has never lost at 145lbs, Topuria believes he’ll be able to end the fight early with a first-round knockout. Volkanovski is coming off of a vicious knockout loss at the hands (or foot, to be exact) of the UFC’s lightweight champion: Islam Makhachev.

Volkanovski has battled the featherweight division’s best and brightest and has been tested against some of the greatest fighters to ever grace the weight class. Topuria is no stranger to top-notch competition himself though, and holds wins over the likes of fighters like Bryce Mitchell, and Josh Emmett.

Ilia Topuria Describes Victory over Alexander Volkanovski, claims his time is over

“I see myself finishing him in the first round – knockout,” Topuria told UFC Español (H/T MMA Junkie). “It’s most likely going to be a knockout unless he dives for my legs. I’m going to put his lights out.”

“I’m part of the new generation of MMA,” Topuria continued. “I bring an evolved style in all areas of the sport: on the feet, in the wrestling, in the grappling. I consider myself a far more complete and effective finisher than Volkanovski.”

“The experience is on his side, but the young blood is on my side. This is my moment. God’s timing is perfect, and He’s prepared me for this moment. There won’t be any failure.”

Ilia Topuria is indeed challenging the throne at the perfect time. With Volkanovski coming off of a devastating knockout, there’s no doubt that that has to leave somebody’s confidence a little shaken. Ilia Topuria will be coming into the fight with all of the momentum, while Alexander Volkanovski will simply be looking to get things back on track.

“I’m not going to say it’s been the toughest camp because every camp we do is always hard, but I will say it’s been the most professional camp I’ve ever done,” Topuria said. “We’ve done a deep analysis on my opponent, and we’re prepared for the fight.”

Who do you think walks away as the victor of the Ilia Topuria vs Alexander Volkanovski fight?