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Ilia Topuria warns Alexander Volkanovski away from rematch fight: ‘For his own sake, he shouldn’t’

Undisputed featherweight champion, Ilia Topuria has heaped praise on recent foe, ex-champion, Alexander Volkanovski following his surprising win at…

Undisputed featherweight champion, Ilia Topuria has heaped praise on recent foe, ex-champion, Alexander Volkanovski following his surprising win at UFC 298 earlier this month, however, in the same breathe, warned the Australian away from a title rematch in the future – for his own sake.

Topuria, who headlined UFC 298 earlier this month, managed to turn in a spectacular second round win over featherweight-perfect gold holder, Volkanovski in the pair’s title fight in Anaheim, stopping the New South Wales favorite with a blistering knockout win.

And welcoming the possibility of a return at a proposed UFC Spain event – potentially at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium – home to La Liga giants, Real Madrid, Topuira has been linked with an immediate rematch against Volkanovski, who himself has voiced his interest in fighting the Spaniard again.

“Next time it’ll be different, but I’m going to just have a little bit of a rest,” Alexander Volkanovski said on after UFC 298. “I definitely want that rematch [with Ilia Topuria]. Spain, what I’m hearing, is gonna happen. Dana (White) wants Spain. Obviously, Ilia wants Spain.”

“That probably won’t be until later this year, so the timing would be perfect for me to spend time with the fa, rest up a little bit, look after myself and then we’ll get back in there,” Alexander Volkanovski explained. “We’ll make it right.”

Ilia Topuria issues warning to Alexander Volkanovski

And warning the Joe Lopez trainee away from pursuing an immediate title re-run in the future, Topuria appeared to shut down a rematch with Volkanovksi next – for the sake of the Australian.

“It has been an honor to share the Octagon with [Alexander Volkanovski],” Ilia Topuria told El Hormiguero during a recent interview. “He has been pound-for-pound number one. For his sake, he shouldn’t take revenge.”

Who wins in a future title rematch: Ilia Topuria or Alexander Volkanovski?

Ilia Topuria mocks Islam Makhachev’s 2015 knockout loss in brash social media post amid calls for title fight

Newly-crowned featherweight champion, Ilia Topuria has continued jabbing at undisputed lightweight titleholder, Islam Makhachev on social media overnight –…

Newly-crowned featherweight champion, Ilia Topuria has continued jabbing at undisputed lightweight titleholder, Islam Makhachev on social media overnight – uploading footage of the Russian’s sole professional defeat back in 2015, where he was stopped in a brutal KO loss to Brazilian veteran, Adriano Martins.

Topuria, the newly-minted undisputed featherweight titleholder, headlined UFC 298 earlier this month, winning the divisional title with a blistering second round win over common-opponent, Alexander Volkanovski.

Improving to 15-0 as a professional, Spanish finisher, Topuria stopped the former pound-for-pound number one with a stunning knockout win at the Octagon fence, and in the time since, has weighed up an immediate lightweight move in pursuit of a second crown, and a fight with current pound-for-pound topper, Makhachev.

“The final objective is still there,” Ilia Topuria told Spanish media following his title win over the course of last weekend at UFC 298. “He’s (Islam Makhachev) in trouble.”

And appearing in Madrid last night, Topuria attended the Santiago Bernabeu – home to Real Madrid for their La Liga match with Sevilla, bringing the UFC title onto the pitch and taking part in a ceremonial kick-off.

Ilia Topuria continues to pursue Islam Makhachev

With Makhachev on his mind apparently, Topuria mocked the Russian’s 2015 loss to the aforenoted, Martins on his official Instagram Stories – in which the now-champion was dropped and stopped with a knockout loss inside two minutes of their clash.

Himself sidelined since last October, Makhachev most recently turned in a spectacular rematch with over the above-mentioned, Volkanovski at UFC 294 on short-notice, stopping the New South Wales native with a high-kick and follow up strikes knockout.

And expected to make his return to the Octagon later this annum, Makhachev’s head coach, Javier Mendez has suggested the American Kickboxing Academy staple could take on former interim champion and incoming UFC 300 feature, Justin Gaethje in a title showcase next.

Do you think Ilia Topuria ever takes on Islam Makhachev?

Ilia Topuria plots lightweight title fight with Islam Makhachev after UFC 298 win: ‘He’s in trouble’

Off the back of his stunning knockout victory over Alexander Volkanovski to win the undisputed featherweight crown last weekend…

Off the back of his stunning knockout victory over Alexander Volkanovski to win the undisputed featherweight crown last weekend at UFC 298, brash Spaniard, Ilia Topuria has vowed to become a two-division champion in the near future, claiming lightweight best, Islam Makhachev is “in trouble” if he shares the Octagon with him.

Topuria, the newly-minted undisputed featherweight champion, turned in his fifteenth straight victory back at UFC 298 over the course of last weekend in Anaheim, retaining his unbeaten professional record with a stunning second round KO win over former pound-for-pound number one, Volkanovski.

And welcoming the possibility of a Spanish homecoming off the back of his title triumph, Alicante resident, Topuria has weighed up potential fights against the likes of former duel-division champion, Conor McGregor in the near future – as well as a boxing move to take on middleweight bruiser, Canelo Alvarez.

Islam Makhachev issued warning by Ilia Topuria

Furthermore, Topuria has also set sights on the possibility of a showdown with undisputed lightweight champion and pound-for-pound topper, Makhachev – claiming the Russian standout will find it difficult to deal with him if they ever square off.

“The final objective is still there,” Ilia Topuria told Spanish media following his title win over the course of last weekend at UFC 298. “He’s (Islam Makhachev) in trouble.”

Ilia Topuria says he wants one more fight before being able to face Islam Makhachev:

"The final objective is still there, he’s in trouble (laughs)" #UFC #MMA (h/t @pelunaton) pic.twitter.com/hr3GMn186B

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) February 22, 2024

Linked with a slew of different opponents in his comeback later this year, Makhachev, who most recently stopped common-foe, Volkanovski with a stunning first round high-kick and strikes KO win back in their October rematch, is expected to fight toward the end of the summer.

And in terms of potential opponents, Makhachev has been backed to either fight former interim lightweight champion, Justin Gaethje, or land a rematch against either Charles Oliveira or Arman Tsarukyan – who face off at UFC 300 in April.

Who wins in a future title fight: Islam Makhachev or Ilia Topuria?

Henry Cejudo shuts down retirement after dominant UFC 298 defeat: ‘I just cannot let it roll like this’

Former undisputed bantamweight and flyweight champion, Henry Cejudo appears to have performed a u-turn on a proposed second retirement…

Former undisputed bantamweight and flyweight champion, Henry Cejudo appears to have performed a u-turn on a proposed second retirement from mixed martial arts competition, claiming he cannot “roll” with another exit from the sport following his title eliminator loss at UFC 298 last weekend.

Featuring in a high-profile main card slot, Los Angeles-born veteran, Cejudo suffered his second consecutive loss in the form of a one-sided unanimous decision loss to surging bantamweight contender, Merab Dvalishvili in the pair’s eye-catching scrap.

And ahead of the bout, Cejudo, an Olympic gold medalist in freestyle wrestling to boot, claimed he would likely call time on his career in mixed martial arts if he lost to Dvalishvili in Anaheim.

Henry Cejudo shuts down retirement plans

However, almost a week removed from the defeat to the Georgian – Cejudo has claimed he simply will refuse to bow out of the sport in that fashion, claiming he will not retire in the aftermath of UFC 298.

“I just cannot let it roll like this,” Henry Cejudo said on his YouTube channel. “I just cannot. As much as it hurts. Again, guys, I take the L. But I cannot take the L knowing the way that I pretty much went out. I don’t mind the losing aspect of it. Maybe just the way that I did go – the being winded side, the not trying to knock this dude out because I was tired – I think that’s the stuff that really bothers me.”

“So, as of today, guys, I was getting ready to announce my [retirement] – a couple of days ago,” Henry Cejudo. “I literally did a whole video on my retirement, thanking my family, thanking my friends, thanking everybody who has been there.”

Prior to his decision loss to Dvalishvili, Cejudo dropped a close judging defeat to the Tbilisi native’s training partner and former bantamweight champion, Aljamain Sterling in the pair’s May championship fight last year.

Who do you want to see Henry Cejudo fight after UFC 298?

Paulo Costa eyes fight with ex-Champion Kamaru Usman after UFC 298 return: ‘I might finish him’

Off the back of his decision defeat to former undisputed middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker last weekend in the co-main…

Off the back of his decision defeat to former undisputed middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker last weekend in the co-main event of UFC 298, former divisional title chaser, Paulo Costa has claimed a fight with former welterweight gold holder, Kamaru Usman is something that definitely interests him next.

Costa, the current number seventh ranked middleweight contender, had been sidelined for almost two years prior to last weekend’s co-headlining clash with former champion, Whittaker.

And despite almost closing the show late in the first round with a hellacious wheel kick attempt before the initial frame buzzer, Belo Horizonte native, Costa returned to the losing column in a decision loss to Whittaker.

As for Usman, the former pound-for-pound number one most recently co-headlined UFC 294 himself back in October in Abu Dhabi, UAE – losing a close, majority decision defeat to the unbeaten, Khamzat Chimaev on short-notice.

Paulo Costa weighs up Kamaru Usman clash

And weighing up a potential middleweight stay following an impromptu divisional debut, Usman has been called out by Costa following his UFC 298 return – claiming that he may be able to do what Chimaev failed to, and finish the Auchi veteran if they share the Octagon together.

“(Kamaru) Usman [at] 185lbs looks interesting,” Paulo Costa posted on his official X account today. “Gourmet Chen Chen couldn’t finish him even [on] short notice. I might.”

Slumping to his third consecutive loss with his defeat to Chechnya native, Chimaev, Usman had dropped a pair of championship rematch and subsequent rubber-match losses to three time foe, Leon Edwards in the pair’s recent title showdowns.

Himself challenging for gold back in 2020 at the middleweight limit, Costa’s unbeaten run came to a close in the form of a one-sided second round knockout loss to former two-time weight class champion, Israel Adesanya.

Who wins in a future fight: Kamaru Usman or Paulo Costa?

UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria to take honorary kick-off at Real Madrid vs. Sevilla match at the Bernabeu

Ilia Topuria will present his UFC featherweight world championship in front of a jam-packed crowd at the Santiago Bernabeu…

Ilia Topuria will present his UFC featherweight world championship in front of a jam-packed crowd at the Santiago Bernabeu on February 25.

Following his shocking second-round knockout of Alexander Volkanovski in the UFC 298 main event, ‘El Matador’ received a hero’s welcome upon his return to the country he calls home — Spain.

On Sunday, Topuria will be in attendance for the massive football match between Real Madrid and Sevilla, featuring the return of football royalty Sergio Ramos. While inside Spain’s iconic 80,000-seat stadium, Topuria will introduce his UFC championship belt and take the honorary kick-off. Topuria confirmed the news at a press conference held upon his arrival in the country on Thursday.

Ilia Topuria Is bringing the UFC to spain

Even before he shocked the world in Anaheim, Ilia Topuria was already dreaming big, letting it be known that he hopes to one day bring the UFC to the Santiago Bernabeu for a showdown with one of the biggest stars to ever step inside the Octagon — Conor McGregor.

“If it was my decision, I’d fight Conor McGregor,” Topuria said when asked at the UFC 298 media day who he’d like to face at the Bernabeu. “That would be the fight I’d aim for, and that’s what I aim for.”

With his sensational performance against ‘The Great,’ Topuria took a giant step toward making that a reality. UFC CEO Dana White confirmed at the UFC 298 post-fight press event that the promotion would be heading to Spain.

“Yeah, we are definitely going to Spain,” White told reporters. “Who he is going to face, we don’t know yet. I have a lot of respect for Volkanovski; we will see how that plays out. But as long as there’s a venue, we are going to Spain. I like it (when asked about Santiago Bernabéu).”