Alexander Volkanovski is set to face Ilia Topuria in the main event of UFC 298 for the featherweight title, and despite Topuria’s undefeated record, Volkanovski is confident he will teach his opponent a lesson in their upcoming fight.
Alexander Volkanovski’s all set. He’s got a lesson to teach Ilia Topuria. Their face-off? The main event of UFC 298 for the featherweight title.
Mark your calendars for Feb. 17. The Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., is the place. This will be Volkanovski’s first fight since that brutal knockout by lightweight champ Islam Makhachev at UFC 294 in October. Volkanovski sees Topuria’s confidence. He gets it, from a promo angle. But he’s a bit puzzled about where all that bravado’s coming from.
“Topuria thinks he’s the best. But he’s in for a reality check. There are levels to this game, as I’ve said in interviews. You’ve got to earn your stripes. And he hasn’t. He thinks he’s the kingpin, the top dog of the division. But he hasn’t even faced anyone up there yet.
“If he ever wants to be a champ, a great champ, he needs me to do what I plan on doing to him. I’m going to give him a good humbling. Maybe he can bounce back after that, learn a thing or two, and go from there. But he’s going to learn a good lesson, a good humbling. And I can’t wait to do that.”
Topuria’s record? 14-0. He’s been on a roll since joining the UFC — winning all six of his octagon appearances. His most recent win? Dominating Josh Emmett in his first promotional headliner at UFC Jacksonville this past June. That’s what earned him a title shot.
Volkanovski gets the hype around Topuria. But he feels like it might be a bit overblown.
“It’s hard to say,” Volkanovski said. “I’m not trying to throw shade, but a lot of fighters earned their respect by fighting tough opponents. He hasn’t had that chance yet. And he hasn’t shown he’s as good as he says he is.
“But we’ll see come fight time. I’m preparing for a man who is as good as he says he is. He thinks he’s the man, I’m preparing for that, so I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt. But I’m going to be there, waiting. If he’s not up to that standard, it’s going to be a good humbling experience for him. He needs it, anyway. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t hate the guy. He’s hyping the fight up, I love it. All I have to do is go out there and teach him a lesson, right?”