Tag: 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?

Undisputed featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski continues to sit as a betting favorite to beat incoming title chaser, unbeaten foe, Ilia Topuria at UFC 298 next month – with the Australian moving as bigger betting favorite as the day’s countdown to his championship return.

Volkanovski, the current undisputed featherweight champion, makes his return to the Octagon at UFC 298 next month in Anaheim, California, returning to the 145 pound limit in a title fight defense against Georgian challenger, Topuria.

Sidelined since October of last year, Alexander Volkanovski suffered a thunderous opening round high-kick and strikes KO loss to Islam Makhachev in the pair’s championship rematch at UFC 294 on short-notice.

As for Topuria, the surging undefeated contender earned his premier title tilt since moving to the UFC back in August in a main event bout with former interim title challenger, Josh Emmett, landing a one-sided unanimous decision win over the Phoenix knockout artist.

Alexander Volkanovski betting favorite to win at UFC 298

And despite his massive knockout loss to two-time opponent, Makhachev at UFC 294 just months ago – in tandem with a quickfire turnaround in Anaheim, Volkanovski continues to drift as a decent betting favorite at -142 to beat the +120 betting underdog, Topuria – in his return to the featherweight limit.

With fans in Oceania set to tune in in their masses to watch fan-favorite New South Wales technician, Alexander Volkanovski take on Topuria at UFC 298, fans and bettors can avail of many free $50 pokies no deposit sign up bonus Australia ahead of the bout and even on fight night – in what promises to be one of the most high-profile cards of the year. 

Headlining UFC 284 back in February of last year in a lightweight championship siege on home soil in Australia, Volkanovski suffered a close, unanimous decision loss to pound-for-pound number one, Makhachev in the pair’s massive title clash. The defeat came as Alexander Volkanovski’s first in the promotion.

Returning to the featherweight limit in between his high-kick knockout loss to Makhachev, Volkanovski headlined UFC 290 back in July during International Fight Week, successfully unifying the featherweight titles with a fourth round TKO win over then-interim champion, Yair Rodríguez in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

Since his Octagon tenure began four years ago, Topuria has turned in six consecutive victories, landing other notable triumphs against the likes of Jai Herbert – with a massive second round KO, as well as a submission win over The Ultimate Fighter alum, Bryce Mitchell in another pay-per-view clash. 

Amongst Alexander Volkanovski’s title fight defense against Topuria at UFC 298, the card also features a slew of high-profile bouts, including a massive co-main event at the bantamweight limit as former two-division champion, Henry Cejudo takes on surging contender, Merab Dvalishvili in an expected title-eliminator at the 135 pound limit. 

Also worth keeping an eye on for Australian fans, former undisputed middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker makes his long-anticipated return to the Octagon for the first time since July – hoping to finally secure a long-speculated fight against former title chaser, Paulo Costa in a main card clash at UFC 298.