Ilia Topuria has claimed that Alexander Volkanovski is running from him. The Spanish featherweight thinks the reason behind Volk’s move up to 155 to fight Islam Makhachev is because he fears fighting Topuria. Topuria made this statement before the showdown between Alexander Volkanovski and Yair Rodriguez at UFC 290.
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Topuria has impressed the MMA community with his undefeated record and a recent win over Josh Emmett last month. This put him on track to be a top contender in the featherweight division. But his statements drew strong reactions from the MMA community, including from Khabib Nurmagomedov‘s brother, Usman Nurmagomedov.
Alexander Volkanovski is running from the real danger: Ilia Topuria
El Matador, speaking at UFC X Radio in Las Vegas, claimed ‘The Great’ wants a rematch with Islam Makhachev following his loss to him at UFC 284 as it would be an easier fight.
“He’s looking for a rematch with Islam,” Topuria said. “He wants to go up to 155 because he’s running from the real danger. He knows where the real danger is, and it’s me in 145. He’s looking for an easy way. He wants to move up to 155.”
Volkanovski responded with a direct message for Topuria. “Please don’t fight Max [Holloway],” the Australian said “Don’t fight Max. Let’s just let that not happen. Let me be the guy to beat you up.” Topuria had expressed his wish to fight Max Holloway before a shot at the title.
Fans react to Ilia Topuria saying Alexander Volkanovski is scared to fight him
The MMA community reacted to Topuria’s assertions on Twitter, including Usman Nurmagomedov, who declared that Topuria will never be champion:
Ilia is never going to be a champ..volka is going to knock him out
— Not Usman Nurmagomedov (@Khabib21287190) July 10, 2023
Ilia Topuria accuses Alexander Volkanovski of “running from the real danger.”
Full story: https://t.co/sIVZIMXDFR pic.twitter.com/dRqI3rhvER
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) July 10, 2023
Other fans agreed:
moving up in weight is the easy way out?
come up with something else buddy— Elyas Noor (@ElyasNoor3) July 10, 2023
@fightwavee Love Ilia but don’t like that narrative. Volk had a close double champ match with Islam ofc he gonna want that back. Give Volk some credit for defending the 45 belt and not holding the division up. Now let him fight Islam and come back. Ilia def deserves a shot tho.…
— Daniel (@DunnDilla410) July 10, 2023
He will soon join them pic.twitter.com/CllmSIzdcv
— Jimmy Luke (@Joshjoshmma) July 10, 2023
ah yes wanting a rematch with the guy who’s pretty much neck a neck with volk as top p4p guys the in the ufc totally means he’d be afraid to steamroll another contender in a division he’s lapping
— kibo (@cejudos4thC) July 10, 2023
All due respect to Topuria that’s just not reality. He’s is one of the greatest still in his prime. I think that Islam fight needs to happen again.
— Dane M. White (@Dwhite1904) July 10, 2023
While some thought this was the right approach for Ilia:
He’s saying the right things.
— Zach Wilde (@Deauxpreaux) July 10, 2023
Everyone knows that the way to get a big fight is to talk 💩
— Dr. Carlos Eduardo Queso, Jr. (@YourMomsfave77) July 10, 2023
Clearly, the MMA community is firmly in Volkanovski’s camp, with most finding it hard to believe that he fears Ilia. Do you think Ilia Topuria genuinely believes that Volk is scared of him? Or do you think he is talking trash to create hype for the fight? Let us know in the comments section below.
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Written by
Edited by
Rupkamal Sarma