Ilia Topuria is set to face what could be the biggest fight of his career at UFC 298! The featherweight contender will be taking on Alexander Volkanovski at the event for the undisputed 145lbs UFC title. However, ahead of the clash, Topuria had made some comments that didn’t sit well with his fellow fighters in the division.
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And during the recent pre-fight press conference, Topuria took a page out of Conor McGregor’s book as he revealed the reason why he’s being targeted by everyone for his remarks. His statements highlight his meteoric rise in the UFC, which has seen him become one of the most sought-after names in the featherweight division!
Ilia Topuria puts the featherweight division on notice using Conor McGregor’s words
In a recent conversation on The MMA Hour, Topuria had stated that contenders in the featherweight division like Max Holloway, Yair Rodriguez, and Brian Ortega “can go and retire. He made his stance clear on the matter by further elaborating “I’m never going to give them a chance to fight for the title.”
His remarks had drawn a response from Ortega, who stated that Topuria had to “win the belt” first. As such, during the pre-fight press conference, Topuria was asked about the fighters he had named wanting to fight him next.
He stated, “Who doesn’t want to fight me right now, who? I didn’t become a UFC world champion yet, I have three more days to do it, they are really calling me out everyone, everyone, why?” prompting a voice from the audience to exclaim, “Because they want to fight you and you’re a big deal?”
To which Topuria just smiled and stated, “Yeah, red panty nights”, referencing the famous phrase coined by Conor McGregor that refers to a fight that has the potential to catapult the fighters to a new level of fame and success! With the spotlight shining brightly on him, Topuria’s journey to get closer to the UFC gold has captivated fans and fighters alike.
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But as he prepares to step into the Octagon for what could be the biggest fight of his career, his opponent has revealed the narratives surrounding this epic clash do not faze him.
‘The Great’ is ready to prove why he is the champion at UFC 298
Alexander Volkanovski is ready to prove the doubters wrong and put an end to the narratives about him at UFC 298. The Australian is coming off a devastating knockout loss against Islam Makhachev at UFC 294 last year. As such, fans and experts are concerned about his chances of victory when he steps into the Octagon against the young and hungry contender, Ilia Topuria. However, for ‘The Great’, the doubt and the narratives surrounding his fight only serve as motivation. During a recent press conference, Volkanovski revealed, “Everyone knows I thrive in these moments. When people doubt me, it’s the best.”
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While Volkanovski acknowledged Topuria’s talent, he’s confident in his abilities as he stated, “…but if he doesn’t land a punch and I rag-doll him and make him look like nothing in there, you shouldn’t be surprised.”
As fight night approaches, both Topuria and Volkanovski are primed for battle. Whether it’s Topuria’s brash confidence or Volkanovski’s determination to prove himself, UFC 298 promises to be a thrilling showdown between two formidable fighters!
Do you think Ilia Topuria is the future of the UFC’s featherweight division? Why or Why not? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Written by
Edited by
Amal Joyce