Alexander Volkanovski wished a rematch with Ilia Topuria, however has no downside with the featherweight champion transferring as much as chase a second belt as a substitute.
Talks of reserving Topuria vs. Volkanovski emerged instantly after the principle occasion of UFC 298, which noticed Topuria rating a second-round knockout of Volkanovski to change into featherweight champion. Topuria went on to efficiently defend the title with one other gorgeous knockout of former titleholder Max Holloway, whereas Volkanovski has spent the higher a part of the previous 12 months having fun with a well-deserved break from competitors.
Volkanovski returns to struggle for the featherweight belt at UFC 314 on April 12, however he’s not dealing with Topuria. As a substitute, Volkanovski takes on Diego Lopes for a vacant title, with Topuria transferring as much as light-weight for a possible struggle with Islam Makhachev. Although it’s not but recognized if Topuria will instantly get a crack at Makhachev, Volkanovski believes it will be justified based mostly on how Topuria has dealt with the scenario.
“Put it this manner, if he was making an attempt to hold on to each belts, I don’t assume that was going to occur,” Volkanovski mentioned on the Imagine You Me podcast. “The truth that he’s vacated and the light-weight division’s ready the place, I don’t know, there’s no actual clear No. 1, I believe it’s honest. The truth that he vacated, I believe that that’s honest.
“If he wished to hold on and do the double champ factor, I believe he wanted to do extra work, however the truth that he’s like, ‘Look, I’m going to let this one go. Let that division transfer on. I wish to decide to light-weight. I believe that’s large. I believe that’s honest, so I believe he form of deserves it.”
Topuria is 16-0 in his profession and whereas featherweight is a division deep with potential contenders, “El Matador” believes he’s able to change into the UFC’s subsequent “champ-champ.” In line with UFC CEO Dana White, Topuria isn’t eager on slicing all the way down to 145 kilos anymore both.
Ought to Topuria finally step into the octagon with Makhachev, it will pit the No. 1 (Makhachev) and No. 2 (Topuria) Pound-for-Pound fighters on the earth towards each other. They’ve a shared opponent in Volkanovski, who provided a prediction for the struggle—and the way Topuria can win.
“How do I believe that struggle’s going to go?” Volkanovski mentioned. “I’ve fought each of them. Islam goes to be a tough man to beat, for anybody, I believe the one probability of him shedding is somebody knocking him out. Like, somebody touchdown one thing, that’s what I imagine. I’ve all the time believed that about myself, the one method I might lose is somebody catching me reasonably than truly beating me. The one individual I imagine that may give me that shut struggle is Islam and I really feel the identical for Islam with a whole lot of opposition. I believe everybody has a puncher’s probability and I believe that’s the one method I see him actually shedding, somebody catching him.
“And if anybody can do it, it’s Ilia. Ilia’s clearly acquired some harmful palms, so for individuals to simply depend him out, you understand he’s acquired energy in his palms, you understand he’s going to be in search of it. You realize he’s composed and even when issues aren’t going his method he’s going to maintain in search of it, maintain looking for it till he does or till he loses. So you understand he’s harmful, possibly if the gasoline tank goes, we’ll see when he begins them later rounds with somebody like Islam, however early on the primary couple or first three rounds, he’s going to be harmful. You don’t wish to be getting caught by any of these punches, so if anybody can catch him, I believe Ilia’s proper up there for an opportunity.”
