Alexander Volkanovski impressed by Ilia Topuria, eyes rematch

Alexander Volkanovski calls subsequent.

Minutes after UFC 308‘s primary occasion Saturday noticed Ilia Topuria turn into the primary to knock out Max Holloway, the earlier featherweight titleholder was within the cage.

Volkanovski (26-4 MMA, 13-3 UFC) stated the concept to be seen subsequent to the freshly victorious Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) was all his. He wished the world to know who’s the following 145-pound title challenger.

“I instructed the UFC I wished to go in,” Volkanovski instructed ESPN. “They let me do this, so I respect that. Dana (White), Hunter (Campbell), thanks. On the identical time, he goes, ‘I wish to let him (have his second. I’ll give him his second. I’ll be respectful as a result of his household is in there.’ I’m like, ‘Mate, I’ve been respectful. I’ve been getting alongside. I’ve been hugging his household the entire time. We’re good. I’m going to go in there, give him his second, however on the identical time let everybody know what we’re doing, simply construct that struggle up just a little bit, simply sufficient to let everybody know I’m subsequent. However on the identical time, give him his respect.’”

With the UFC headed to Sydney in February and doubtlessly debuting in Spain later in 2025, it’s unclear the place the promotion will place this rematch. Whether or not it’s house soil or enemy territory, you possibly can depend Volkanovski in.

“I’d find it irresistible,” Volkanovski stated. “They’re speaking about Madrid, the stadium and all that. In fact. Everybody is aware of I don’t thoughts being in enemy territories. I believe I’ll be well-loved anyway, perhaps. I don’t know. I’m certain I’ll in all probability nonetheless get booed. On the identical time, he deserves to struggle the place he needs to. It’s simply the timing.”

In accordance with feedback made by Dana White after UFC 308, nevertheless, it does seem the rematch between Topuria and Volkanovski will certainly be the following struggle.

Regardless of their trash speak within the lead-up to their first bout in February, which Topuria gained by knockout, Volkanovski stated there’s a number of mutual respect beneath any struggle promotion put forth by the champion.

“(The win over Holloway was) spectacular,” Volkanovski stated. “The struggle was kind of going. I knew the primary couple of rounds have been going to be aggressive. Then, I believed perhaps Max would begin utilizing that have and perhaps begin to gradual Ilia. However Ilia ended up discovering the end within the third spherical which is spectacular. Nobody has ever executed that. He stated he was going to do it within the first.

“However it doesn’t matter what spherical you do it in, that’s spectacular. As a result of nobody has executed that to Max. You’ve bought to present all respect to Ilia to go on the market and do this. I went in there, shook fingers with the bloke and wished to present him his second, however let him know that I’m subsequent. Let’s simply discover that day. … Nothing however respect for him and nicely executed. However he’s a stable, dude, man. He’s a good dude.

For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC 308.