Tag: ilia topuria

Making his first featherweight championship charge at UFC 298 in March of next year, surging Georgian contender, Ilia Topuria has claimed incumbent gold holder, Alexander Volkanovski stand no chance of escaping Anaheim, California with his title in tow come the culmination of their clash.

Topuria, the current number five ranked featherweight contender, most recently headlined a UFC Fight Night Jacksonville card back in June – earning Fight of the Night honors in a unanimous decision shutout win over former interim title chaser, Josh Emmett earlier this summer.

And as for Volkanovski, the undisputed featherweight champion, most recently headlined UFC 294 back in October, suffering a stunning opening round high-kick KO loss to lightweight titleholder, Islam Makhachev in the pair’s title rematch in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

In his most recent featherweight appearance, New South Wales favorite, Volkanovski turned in a successful championship unification win over then-interim gold holder, Yair Rodríguez – and formally held the top spot on the pound-for-pound ranking totem pole.

Ilia Topuria vows to snatch title from Alexander Volkanovski

Claiming earlier this month how Topuria needs to be humbled in their UFC 298 title clash in March of next year, Volkanovski apparently stands no chance of retaining his title in Anaheim – that’s according to the incoming challenger.

“He (Alexander Volkanovski) doesn’t stand a chance,” Ilia Topuria told ESPN Deportes. “He has zero opportunity. I don’t see any holes, but I can tell how he attacks. The only attack I see is that he is going to kick my legs. That’s the only thing that he can do.” 

“He has good cardio,” Ilia Topuria explained. “But everyone has good cardio when they’re not under pressure. When you’re walking forward, you’ll have good cardio. But when you’re in trouble, cardio tends to fade away, and this will be the case. He will have someone in front of him that never goes back. I think it’s going to be perfect. It’s going to be a masterpiece, to hit and don’t get hit. That’s what you will see in this combat. You’ll see an authentic mixed martial artist.” 

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

Making his first featherweight championship charge at UFC 298 in March of next year, surging Georgian contender, Ilia Topuria has claimed incumbent gold holder, Alexander Volkanovski stand no chance of escaping Anaheim, California with his title in tow come the culmination of their clash.

Topuria, the current number five ranked featherweight contender, most recently headlined a UFC Fight Night Jacksonville card back in June – earning Fight of the Night honors in a unanimous decision shutout win over former interim title chaser, Josh Emmett earlier this summer.

And as for Volkanovski, the undisputed featherweight champion, most recently headlined UFC 294 back in October, suffering a stunning opening round high-kick KO loss to lightweight titleholder, Islam Makhachev in the pair’s title rematch in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

In his most recent featherweight appearance, New South Wales favorite, Volkanovski turned in a successful championship unification win over then-interim gold holder, Yair Rodríguez – and formally held the top spot on the pound-for-pound ranking totem pole.

Ilia Topuria vows to snatch title from Alexander Volkanovski

Claiming earlier this month how Topuria needs to be humbled in their UFC 298 title clash in March of next year, Volkanovski apparently stands no chance of retaining his title in Anaheim – that’s according to the incoming challenger.

“He (Alexander Volkanovski) doesn’t stand a chance,” Ilia Topuria told ESPN Deportes. “He has zero opportunity. I don’t see any holes, but I can tell how he attacks. The only attack I see is that he is going to kick my legs. That’s the only thing that he can do.” 

“He has good cardio,” Ilia Topuria explained. “But everyone has good cardio when they’re not under pressure. When you’re walking forward, you’ll have good cardio. But when you’re in trouble, cardio tends to fade away, and this will be the case. He will have someone in front of him that never goes back. I think it’s going to be perfect. It’s going to be a masterpiece, to hit and don’t get hit. That’s what you will see in this combat. You’ll see an authentic mixed martial artist.” 

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

An undisputed featherweight championship fight between divisional champion, Alexander Volkanovski, and surging number five ranked contender, Ilia Topuria is currently in the works to feature at a UFC 298 pay-per-view card in February. At the time of publication, an official date, location, or venue for the flagship has yet to be determined by the organization.

Volkanovski, the current undisputed featherweight champion and former pound-for-pound number one ranked fighter, most recently headlined UFC 294 last month in Abu Dhabi, UAE, suffering a stunning first round high-kick knockout loss to Islam Makhachev in a lightweight championship fight rematch on just 10 days’ notice. 

As for German-born contender, Topuria, the streaking challenger landed his sixth consecutive Octagon victory back in June – turning in a Fight of the Night display against former interim title challenger, Josh Emmett in a unanimous decision victory. The win improved Topuria to 14-0 as a professional.

Alexander Volkanovski targeted to fight Ilia Topuria at UFC 298

According to a report tonight from Ariel Helwani, with a lightweight title fight between Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira currently planned for UFC 297 in January – Alexander Volkanovski’s planned return at that card in Toronto, Canada, is currently in the works to take place a month later against Ilia Topuria at UFC 298. 

“The current plan – though not finalized just yet – is to have Islam Makhachev x Charles Oliveira 2 – headline UFC 297,” Helwani posted on his official X account. “That event, while not officially announced yet, is currently slated to Jan. 20 in Toronto. The original plan for that main was Volkanovski x Topuria, but now the plan is for that to be on the February PPV.”

In his most recent featherweight outing, New South Wales favorite, Volkanovski turned in a stunning title unification win over former interim champion, Yair Rodríguez in the main event of UFC 290 back in July during International Fight Week, securing a third round ground strikes TKO win.

As for Topuria, the revered finisher debuted in the organization back in 2020 in Abu Dhabi, UAE, landing victories over Youssef Zalal, Damon Jackson, Ryan Hall, Jai Herbert, Bryce Mitchell, and Josh Emmett consecutively in the time since. 

Who wins at UFC 298: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Ilia Topuria?

Amid continued links to a title defense against the surging, Ilia Topuria, pound-for-pound king and featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski has noted his interest in fighting as soon as January – at a UFC 287 event which has been pegged for Canada at the time of publication.

Volkanovski, the current pound-for-pound number one fighter under the banner of the promotion, most recently headlined UFC 290 back in July during International Fight Week, successfully unifying the featherweight crowns with a TKO win over then-interim champion, Yair Rodríguez.

And in the time since, the New South Wales native has been tied to another title defense against the streaking finisher, Topuria – whom himself has earned his shot at featherweight spoils with a unanimous decision shutout win over former interim title challenger, Josh Emmett in a UFC Fight Night Jacksonville earlier this summer

Alexander Volkanovski plotting Janaury return at UFC 297

Initially noting his desire to fight incoming UFC 294 headliner, Islam Makhachev in a lightweight championship rematch atop a monumental UFC 300 card next annum, Volkanovski has now confirmed a January comeback works well for him.

“January sounds good to me,” Alexander Volkanovski posted on his official X account this morning.”

A dominant featherweight champion during his so-far perfect promotional run at the weight limit, Volkanovski has landed five successful title defenses in triumphs over Max Holloway twice, Brian Ortega, Chan Sung Jung, and the above-mentioned, Rodríguez. During his tenure with the promotion, Volkanovski has also laid waste to former title challenger, Chad Mendes, and inaugural featherweight best, Jose Aldo. 

Would you like to see Alexander Volkanovski fight Ilia Topuria next?