Ilia Topuria is confident he will defeat Alexander Volkanovski in their upcoming UFC 298 featherweight title fight, expecting to win without the need for judges’ decision and predicting a first-round knockout.
Ilia Topuria’s got a big fight coming up. He’s expecting a win, and not just any win, but one that doesn’t need judges.
Saturday’s the day. It’s Topuria versus Alexander Volkanovski, the reigning featherweight champ. They’re headlining UFC 298 in Anaheim, Calif. Neither of ’em has lost at 145 pounds. So, something’s gotta change.
Volkanovski’s got experience on his side. But Topuria? He’s done his homework. He’s watched the champ’s tapes and he’s not convinced Volkanovski can outdo him.
Topuria knows what’s coming. “I know what he’s going to bring to the table because that’s what he always brings,” he said at the UFC 298 media day. Volkanovski’s got strong kicks, he’ll move around, throw in some hands and combos. He’ll try to pressure Topuria against the fence, do some cage work. But Topuria thinks that’s all he’s got.
Topuria’s got more to offer. He’s heard it all before. People saying they’re better than him on the ground, in wrestling, in striking. But it never pans out. He’s not like the other fighters Volkanovski’s faced. He’s Ilia Topuria. And he’s planning to finish him off.
Topuria knows Volkanovski doesn’t have knockout power. He does. Volkanovski wins on volume. He’s not a finisher. Topuria’s different. He’s going to beat him up. And if anyone disagrees? “Screw them.”
Volkanovski’s beaten some big names. Max Holloway three times, Jose Aldo, Brian Ortega, Chad Mendes, and “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung. His only losses were in higher weight classes, both title fights against lightweight champ Islam Makhachev.
Their second fight? Volkanovski got caught with a head kick in Round 1. Topuria thinks he can do the same.
“I see myself knocking him out in the first round,” Topuria said, predicting the fight.
Topuria’s got 14 career victories, 12 by knockout or submission. He’s made a name for himself in the UFC with just six appearances. His highlights include a submission of Bryce Mitchell and knockouts of Jai Herbert, Ryan Hall, and Damon Jackson.
Topuria hasn’t faced the same level of competition as Volkanovski. But he’s got big plans. He sees himself standing with the best of the best at featherweight when it’s all said and done.
“As one of the greatest in the featherweight division,” Topuria said, talking about his career projection if he wins on Saturday. “They’re going to remember me too as they’re going to remember Jose Aldo in the division, Conor McGregor, Alexander Volkanovski, I’m going to put myself in that book.”