Ilia Topuria shocked the world and knocked out Alexander Volkanovski in the second round of their UFC 298 bout to become the new UFC featherweight champion. ‘Volk’ is now on a two-fight losing streak where he suffered the first two knockouts of his career. So it’s only natural that ‘The Great’ wants his rematch, his pound of flesh, so to speak. This is why when bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley called out the Spaniard after his first title defense, the Volk didn’t seem too pleased with it.

And now former UFC champion and commentator Michael Bisping, in a video on his YouTube channel, has offered some suggestions for the Australian that the latter will definitely not like.

Bisping advises Volkanovski to take a rest

Michael Bisping has advised the former champion to hold off on the rematch and take his time to rest, recover, and heal fully from the two knockouts he has suffered within a span of four months.

The UFC commentator felt that ‘Volk’ should let Ilia Topuria fight Sean O’Malley in Spain next and bide his time until he makes a full recovery. Volkanovski took to YouTube after UFC 299 and told O’Malley that he was looking to fight Topuria late this year. However, Bisping cautioned him against this.

“He [Ilia Topuria] just made short work of Volkanovski… Volkanovski wants to fight him but Sean O’Malley also wants to fight him. I’ll be honest, I wouldn’t be the maddest at Sean O’Malley versus Ilia Topuria because that would give Volkanovski a chance to take a little bit of time off,” the former middleweight champion said.

Top Stories

Ilia Topuria’s UFC Title at Risk After Personal Break Turns Worse With “Extortion” Claim

UFC Vegas 112 Fighter Carried Out of Octagon After KO Loss Leaves Her Unable to Walk

Daniel Cormier Takes Sly Dig at FOX While Reflecting on UFC’s ESPN Exit

Dana White Set to Lose Another Star to Boxing as UFC Champ Reveals Major Career Decision

Alistair Overeem Urges Rampage Jackson to Reconsider Major Career Move Amid Health Concerns

“So From Volkanovski’s perspective that would make a lot of sense. It would give him some time to relax, to recuperate, to get over the concussion, to come back 100%. In the meantime Topuria fights ‘Suga’ Sean O’Malley in a stadium in Madrid,” he added. However, it seems O’Malley fighting Topuria next is very unlikely.

Sean O’Malley likely to fight Merab Dvalishvili next

While Ilia Topuria and Sean O’Malley have been beefing on social media for the past year, and Topuria even asked fans if they would like to see him fight ‘Suga’ next, all signs point towards O’Malley fighting #2 ranked Merab Dvalishvili next.

Read More: Dana, give me a jet to Spain baby, I’m coming for Ilia Topuria.” He said. “. . . I want Ilia baby, give me Ilia.”

UFC CEO Dana White had confirmed after Dvalishvili’s UFC 298 victory over former champion Henry Cejudo that ‘The Machine’ was next in line to fight for the bantamweight title held currently by ‘Suga’. Even Topuria, who was born in Georgia and is good friends with Dvalishvili, has come out and said that O’Malley should fight Dvalishvili next before facing him. Who would you like to see O’Malley fight next?

Read More: Kevin Holland Takes Aim at Bellator as UFC Star Reacts After Michael ‘Venom’ Page Loss at UFC 299