Ilia Topuria predicts quick KO of Alex Volkanovski and says Aussie champ won’t receive an immediate rematch – and then calls out Conor McGregor
- Ilia Topuria predicts first-round KO at UFC 298
- Says there will be no rematch after the fight
- Topuria wants Conor McGregor next
Undefeated featherweight contender Ilia Topuria plans to make short work of Alex Volkanovski in his first UFC championship fight – and ‘El Matador’ wants Conor McGregor next.
Volkanovski will again defend his title against challenger Topuria on February 17 in the main event of UFC 298 in California.
Topuria has completed ten of his twelve fights and believes the blockbuster fight with ‘The Great’ will be over very soon.
‘It will be a knockout in the first round. You’ll see,” Topuria said The MMA hour.
‘He says a lot of bulls***: “There are levels, I have this and I have that, dah, dah, dah.” You’re right, there are levels. There are levels, and then there’s me. I’m going to show you where the levels are.
Undefeated featherweight contender Ilia Topuria says he will dominate Alex Volkanovski
Topuria says a rematch is not being considered because of how he plans to win the fight
‘I’m going to dominate him everywhere. I’m going to make him look like a punching bag. You will see. I’m going to dance on February 17.’
Volkanovski last defended the featherweight title by knocking out Yair Rodriguez at UFC 290 in July 2023 and suffered a knockout loss after coming in on short notice against Makhachev at UFC 294 in October.
Topuria recognizes Volkanovski’s talent but believes his time at the top is now over.
“You’re talking to the best fighter in the world,” Topuria said.
‘I’m the best. He’s one of the best. You have to give him his credit. He was a great champion, he was pound for pound number 1. He was without a doubt one of the greatest.
‘He sold. He has already lost. He has all the signs that he needs to retire. He had his moments in this sport and now it’s time to move on.
‘It’s time for new blood, and I represent the new generation. I represent the evolution of mixed martial arts.”
After claiming his first UFC title at UFC 298, Topuria has plans to take on UFC icon Conor McGregor.
Topuria says that Volkanovski is old and must now make way for the new generation
Topuria says when he’s done with the Australian, he wants UFC icon Conor McGregor next
“The way I’m going to beat him, they won’t even ask me about a rematch,” Topuria said.
“Conor McGregor, that’s the fight I’m looking for. He has a great fight with Mike Chandler. If he doesn’t get his ass kicked, he’ll happily share the octagon with me. Maybe in UFC Spain.
“We’re both from Europe, and he can go back home and say to his wife, ‘Honey, get out the red panties. Topuria has kept us rich.”