Volkanovski Set for Title Defense Against Rising Star Topuria at UFC 298
In the highly anticipated UFC 298, Alexander Volkanovski is gearing up to face Ilia Topuria. The bout marks Volkanovski's sixth title defense, a testament to his dominance in the featherweight division.
The Australian fighter's latest triumph was a third-round TKO victory over Yair Rodriguez, demonstrating once again why he's considered one of the most formidable fighters in the division. However, his upcoming opponent, Topuria, is not to be underestimated.
Topuria's Unblemished Record
Ilia Topuria has had an impressive run in the UFC so far, winning all six of his appearances, four of which ended inside the distance. His prowess in the octagon has seen him rise swiftly through the ranks, currently holding the No. 5 position in the UFC featherweight rankings.
His most recent victory came against Josh Emmett at UFC on ABC 5 last June, where he showcased his dominance and secured a resounding win.
Predictions for the Headliner
Both fighters are predicting a swift conclusion to their upcoming headliner at UFC 298, with each expecting a first-round finish. While this prediction underscores the confidence both fighters have in their abilities, it also highlights the potential for a thrilling encounter.
Rescheduled Bout Following Concussion Protocols
The Volkanovski-Topuria fight was initially slated for January but had to be postponed due to concussion protocols. This followed Volkanovski's knockout loss to Islam Makhachev, a match he stepped into on short notice at UFC 294 after Charles Oliveira withdrew due to injury.
Makhachev's head-kick knockout marked the first time Volkanovski had been stopped since his fourth pro fight in 2013, a testament to the intensity of the encounter. The delay in the bout with Topuria is a result of the necessary recovery period following this event.
Volkanovski's Confidence and Respect
Despite the setback, Volkanovski remains confident about the upcoming fight. "He's a powerful dude, he's good everywhere. He's not one-dimensional, he's obviously very well-rounded," said Volkanovski about Topuria. However, he also believes that his skills and understanding of the game will give him an edge over his opponent.
"I just believe my skills and my understanding of the game are going to be that little bit too much for him," Volkanovski stated. His confidence extends to his team as well, praising their handling of his recovery from the concussion. "I think the timing will be perfect. I'll be back in there soon, but not too soon," he added.
Final Thoughts
The city and venue for the UFC 298 showdown are yet to be confirmed. Regardless of the location, fans can look forward to a thrilling contest between two top featherweight fighters. As Diego Lopes noted, "All respect to him for taking the fight on ten days' notice... He wasn't prepared for this fight. But yeah, it was surprising to see how Makhachev finished him. I think we all expected Makhachev to wrestle him all the fight."
With both fighters predicting a quick finish, the stage is set for an explosive encounter at UFC 298.