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Ilia Topuria predicts win over Alexander Volkanovski in UFC title fight: ‘I’m going to finish him in the first round’

Ilia Topuria predicts win over Alexander Volkanovski I'm going to finish him UFC Ahead of his premiere headlining bout under the banner of the UFC this weekend in Jacksonville, Florida – surging featherweight contender, Ilia Topuria remains supremely confident that he stops current division titleholder, Alexander Volkanovski in the opening round of a potential future fight. Topuria, who boasts an undefeated 13-0 professional record, returns to the Octagon […]

Ahead of his premiere headlining bout under the banner of the UFC this weekend in Jacksonville, Florida – surging featherweight contender, Ilia Topuria remains supremely confident that he stops current division titleholder, Alexander Volkanovski in the opening round of a potential future fight.

Topuria, who boasts an undefeated 13-0 professional record, returns to the Octagon for the first time this year, headlining UFC Fight Night Jacksonville, as he takes on the number five ranked featherweight contender, Josh Emmett – whom most recently competed for interim featherweight gold back in February in Australia.

Attempting to continued his stunning undefeated run against the Arizona veteran, Topuria most recently featured at UFC 282 back in December of last year, defeating The Ultimate Fighter alum Bryce Mitchell with a second round arm-triangle submission success.

The victory came as Topuria’s fifth consecutively since joining the UFC back in 2020, having previously defeated Youssef Zalal, as well as landing a trio of consecutive knockout wins over Damon Jackson, Ryan Hall, and Jai Herbert before his submission triumph over Mitchell.

Ilia Topuria eyes dominant win over Alexander Volkanovski

And fast-approaching a title fight, which can only be aided with a victory against Emmett this weekend in ‘The Sunshine State’, Topuria envisions a one-sided win over incumbent gold holder, Volkanovski.

“I’m the next guy in the line,” Ilia Topuria told assembled media during his UFC Jacksonville media availability. “Who deserves it more than me to fight for the title? No one else. So I’m the next guy.”

“As same as always,” Ilia Topuria replied when asked how a fight with Alexander Volkanovski would play out. “I’m gonna finish him in the first round.”

As for Volkanovski, the New South Wales favorite is slated to headline UFC 290 during International Fight Week next month, taking on the aforenoted, Yair Rodríguez in a featherweight title unification bout.

UFC Jacksonville: Emmett vs. Topuria – Betting Preview

Despite just recently cracking the featherweight top-15, ahead of UFC Jacksonville this weekend, undefeated featherweight contender, Ilia Topuria is fast closing a heavy betting favorite to defeat former interim title challenger, Josh Emmett. Topuria, who improved to 13-0 as a professional last time out, managed to turn in a dominant victory over the highly-touted contender, […]

Topuria, who improved to 13-0 as a professional last time out, managed to turn in a dominant victory over the highly-touted contender, Bryce Mitchell, defeating the submission grappler with an eventual second round arm-triangle submission win of his own – earning his second consecutive Performance of the Night bonus.

As for Emmett, the current number five ranked contender has yet to return to action since co-headlining UFC 284 back in February in Perth, Australia – suffering a second round triangle choke submission loss to Yair Rodríguez in the pair’s interim title showdown.

And despite working his way to an interim title fight with Mexican striker, Rodríguez, Emmett is closing as a heavy betting underdog at +260 over at BetWay to defeat Topuria, with the Georgian finisher closing as a decent betting favorite as high as -330.

Forced the distance just once throughout his thirteen fight professional career, Topuria, who has been tipped to fight for featherweight gold in the future, only failed to land a victory by way of finish against Youssef Zalal in his promotional debut back in October 2020 on ‘Fight Island’.

A veteran of both Cage Warriors, and Brave CF before his eventual transition to the UFC, Topuria has racked up consecutive knockout wins over the trio of Damon Jackson, Ryan Hall, and then Jai Herbert at the lightweight limit before his submission win over Arkansas native, Mitchell in December of last year in the final flagship event of the year for the UFC.

Retaining his top-5 rank in the division despite his triangle choke submission loss to Rodríguez back in February in Perth, Australia – Emmett had enjoyed a run of five consecutive wins en route to his interim championship siege.

18-3 as a professional, the Arizona native, who turned 38 years of age back in March of this year, landed a stunning one-punch KO win over Michael Johnson back in 2019 to kick start his title run.

In successive victories since, Emmett dispatched Mirsad Bektic with a knockout win, before turning in a trio of decision successes over Shane Burgos, recent winner, Dan Ige, and perennial contender, Kattar in a close, San Antonio main event decision win.

The night’s co-headliner is also set to receive substantial action, as Brazilian grappler, Amanda Ribas takes on former Dana White’s Contender Series feature, Maycee Barber in a co-main event bout at the flyweight limit.

In the midst of a five-fight winning run since dropping a loss against current flyweight champion, Alexa Grasso, Barber last turned in a split decision win over Andrea Lee in March, however, is closing as a +160 betting underdog to defeat Minas Gerais native, Ribas, who is closing as a -200 betting favorite.

The current number nine ranked flyweight contender, Ribas’ most recently returned to the winner’s enclosure against compatriot, Viviane Araujo at UFC 285 back in March at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Ilia Topuria addresses ongoing feud with outspoken scouser Paddy Pimblett: ‘I want to slap his face’

Ilia Topuria still can’t stand the sight of fast-rising lightweight prospect Paddy Pimblett. Topuria, who currently sits in the No. 9 spot of the UFC’s featherweight rankings, will look to jump into the top five this weekend as he is set to square off with one-time interim title challenger Josh Emmett in a high-stakes main […]

Ilia Topuria still can’t stand the sight of fast-rising lightweight prospect Paddy Pimblett.

Topuria, who currently sits in the No. 9 spot of the UFC’s featherweight rankings, will look to jump into the top five this weekend as he is set to square off with one-time interim title challenger Josh Emmett in a high-stakes main event clash. Ahead of his return to the Octagon, the undefeated Georgian spoke with members of the media and was unsurprisingly asked about his ongoing rivalry with outspoken scouser Paddy Pimblett.

The two men have had an ongoing feud with one another, all stemming from a disparaging comment the Liverpudlian made about Georgians while referencing the 2008 Russian invasion of Georgia. Since then, the fighters have been booked on two cards together, and Ilia Topuria took advantage of the opportunity to display his dislike for ‘The Baddy’ on both occasions. The first being in London, where Topuria was spotted lunging at Pimblett in a cafeteria. The second occurred during a UFC 282 press conference in December when Topuria once again lunged at Pimblett following a heated verbal exchange.

With the two fighters at one another’s throats every time they happen to be in the same building, fans automatically assumed that the UFC would capitalize on the free publicity and book the two rising stars for an easy-to-sell scrap. However, with Ilia Topuria quickly rising up the featherweight ranks and Pimblett still working to obtain a number by his name at lightweight, it now appears that ‘El Matador’ has seemingly moved on. For now, that is.

“Paddy, you know what happens with Paddy?” Topuria said at a press event last Saturday. “He’s a person that, media attention-wise, he’s big. But as a fighter, we all know he’s not worth anything. He’s not even ranked. He hasn’t done anything.

“So giving merit to a person that’s only where he is because he knows how to sell himself well, I don’t think that’s the right thing to do. We’re athletes. In the UFC, the difference between them and other organizations is that here what’s valued is the sport, and Paddy, sporting-wise, hasn’t achieved anything. That’s why he doesn’t interest me at all.”

Ilia Topuria is Open to a Future Fight with Paddy Pimblett

Ilia Topuria provided a little more insight during a separate UFC media event this week, leaving the door cracked open for a potential showdown between himself and Pimblett once ‘The Baddy’ establishes himself as more than a mouthpiece.

“Right now, I have a goal which is to become the featherweight world champion. He’s a lightweight. He’s not even ranked, so why do I have to fight him? I didn’t have any interest in fighting him,” Topuria revealed during his pre-fight press conference appearance. “If one day he puts himself into the rankings and he becomes a little bit bigger in the company, not just for talking and being a showman. As a professional, why not? We can do it at 155, 170. I don’t care. He can come and make the weight.”

Of course, that doesn’t mean Ilia Topuria won’t take the opportunity to slap the taste out of Paddy Pimblett’s mouth should the two find themselves in the same room once again.

“I always see him coming [and] it’s like I want to slap his face. So, yeah. I don’t know,” Topuria responded when asked if fans can expect any more scuffles between the two.

Ilia Topuria betting favorite to defeat Josh Emmett in pivotal UFC Jacksonville headliner later this month

Undefeated featherweight contender, Ilia Topuria has both opened and is largely closing as a significant betting favorite to defeat former interim championship challenger, Josh Emmett at UFC Fight Night Jacksonville later this month. Topuria, the current #9 ranked featherweight contender, managed to improve to 13-0 as a professional in his most recent Octagon outing, successfully […]

Topuria, the current #9 ranked featherweight contender, managed to improve to 13-0 as a professional in his most recent Octagon outing, successfully defeating fellow division contender Bryce Mitchell with a one-sided victory at UFC 282 back in November, submitting the former with a third round arm-triangle choke. The victory earned Ilia Topuria another post-fight Performance of the Night bonus.

As for Emmett, the veteran featherweight knockout artist challenged for interim divisional gold in the co-main event of UFC 284 back in February in Perth, Australia – suffering a second round submission loss to Yair Rodríguez as the Chihuahua native wrapped up a second frame triangle choke submission victory.

And riding a 13-fight undefeated career run into his first promotional headliner later this month, unbeaten German-born finisher, Topuria is closing as a significant -280 betting favorite to beat the +240 betting underdog, Emmett at UFC on ABC 4 in ‘The Sunshine State’.

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5-0 since his transition to the UFC in 2020, Topuria landed a debut Octagon victory against Youseff Zalal, taking home a unanimous decision triumph.

In a whopping four consecutive stoppages wins since, Ilia Topuria, a highly-touted contender who has been tipped to challenge for UFC featherweight gold in the future, landed back-to-back KOs over Damon Jackson, Ryan Hall, Jai Herbert – the latter at the lightweight limit to boot.

Securing career submission win number eight back in November of last year at UFC 282 in his sophomore pay-per-view feature under the Dana White-led banner, Ilia Topuria submitted the fellow highly-considered Mitchell with a third round finish.

Emmett, the current #5 ranked featherweight contender, saw his impressive run of five consecutive victories halted by Rodríguez at UFC 284 back in February, seeing his record dropto 18-3 as a result.

In between his 2018 knockout loss to promotional alum, Jeremy Stephens and his February loss, Emmett had landed successive wins over Michael Johnson, Mirsad Bektic, Shane Burgos, Dan Ige, and most recently, in a contentious win, defeated Calvin Kattar with a split decision win in the main event of UFC Fight Night August in June of last year.

And previewing their end-of-month clash in Jacksonville, Florida, Topuria claimed Emmett was just tailor-made to be finished inside the opening round.

“Josh Emmett has nothing to lose,” Ilia Topuria explained. “He’s fighting a superstar. He’ll be proud to share the cage with me for the rest of his life. He’ll tell his kids that he was there with me one time. He’s perfect to be finished in the first round, His style matches with mine in a way that i will shine that night. My only concern is that he shows up on the night of the fight.”

Brian Ortega open to future fight with UFC upstart Ilia Topuria: ‘I’ll humble someone if I have to’

Brian Ortega says he is willing to fight Ilia Topuria in his eventual UFC return. The 32-year-old featherweight is coming off back-to-back losses, suffering a dislocated shoulder in his last fight against Yair Rodriguez. Ortega, who’s previous two title challenges resulted in defeat, has not given up on his quest for gold and he remains […]

Brian Ortega says he is willing to fight Ilia Topuria in his eventual UFC return.

The 32-year-old featherweight is coming off back-to-back losses, suffering a dislocated shoulder in his last fight against Yair Rodriguez.

Ortega, who’s previous two title challenges resulted in defeat, has not given up on his quest for gold and he remains patient in his hunt.

‘El Matador’ has called out Brian Ortega to face him in his octagon return, and it is no secret that Topuria does not shy away from an altercation.

He has been involved in both verbal and physical altercations, specifically a scuffle with Paddy Pimblett in London.

His recent call out towards ‘T-City’ sparked the idea of what could be a very intriguing matchup.

“Obviously, I see people like Topuria calling me out constantly, I see it now. Two things come to mind. One, I’ve never backed out of any fight, I’ve fought the best of the best. I fought the people that you wish that you can fight,” Brian Ortega said. “That’s one thing. Two is, I’m not even able to fight. Let me get back on my s**t, let me get back to training and then, that’s it.”

Ortega assured fans in his interview with The Schmo that the callout does not phase him, but he may still be away for some time while his shoulder injury continues to heal.

Topuria, currently the #9 ranked featherweight, presents an impressive 13-0 resume with 12 finishes at just 26 years old.

Brian Ortega welcomes return against the streaking, Ilia Topuria

Ortega currently holds the #3 ranking at 145, and he says that although he is open to fighting Topuria, he must still earn his position.

“I’ll gladly humble someone if I have to. Once they’re on their way up to where I’m at then you can come and join me,” Brian Ortega stated. “But you can’t use your mouth to come up here you know. This is the fighting world can only do so much with the mouth and this time is you’re gonna have to fight. I know he has a fight lined up, good for him, and after if he earns his way up, then let’s do it.”

Ortega may see aspects of himself in the shoes of Topuria, sharing a similar career path years ago.

The California native started his career off with a convincing 15-0 record, until he eventually lost to Max Holloway in his first title fight back in 2018.

Upon Ortega’s return, there will be plenty of significance on the line. If T-city can muster a few wins in a row, it may very well be his final opportunity at featherweight gold.

Who would win in a bout between Ortega and Topuria?

Ilia Topuria Refutes Max Holloway’s Best Boxer Claim Ahead Of UFC 308

Ilia Topuria takes serious exception to Max Holloway’s self-crowning as the UFC’s best boxer. “El Matador” is slated to put his featherweight title on the line for the first time this weekend against Holloway in the headliner of UFC 308, set to take place at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The lead-up to […]

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Ilia Topuria takes serious exception to Max Holloway’s self-crowning as the UFC’s best boxer.

“El Matador” is slated to put his featherweight title on the line for the first time this weekend against Holloway in the headliner of UFC 308, set to take place at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

The lead-up to this much-anticipated clash has been marked by passionate rhetoric between Topuria and Holloway in interviews and across social media. The tension has largely centered on the debate over who is truly the superior fighter, with the undefeated Georgian-Spaniard asserting his ambition to become the first to knock out “Blessed” inside the Octagon.

During the media day interaction ahead of UFC 308 on Wednesday, “El Matador” was asked for his thoughts on Holloway’s persistent claims of being the “best boxer in the UFC,” a title the Hawaiian notably proclaimed after his dominant victory over Calvin Kattar at a Fight Night event in January 2021.

Topuria promptly dismissed the reigning BMF titleholder’s claims, stating that while he acknowledges Holloway’s striking abilities and the experience he brings to the table, he remains confident in his own skills.

Topuria claimed the featherweight title in a stunning upset against Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 earlier this year. He currently boasts a perfect 7-0 record in the UFC, with five of those victories coming by way of finish.

Meanwhile, “Blessed” is coming off a thrilling last-second knockout of Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 in April, securing the BMF title. UFC 308 will be Holloway’s third attempt to reclaim the 145-pound crown. He boasts a 22-7 record in the Octagon, with 11 of those victories coming by way of knockout.

Read More: Ilia Topuria Tells Fighters Picking Max Holloway To Stop In-Person Niceties: ‘F*ck Them All!’

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