Alexander Volkanovski wants to fight Ilia Topuria next: “I think it’s a great fight”
UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski wants to fight Ilia Topuria next, saying that “I think it’s a great fight.”
Topuria put an epic five-round beatdown on Josh Emmett in the main event of UFC Jacksonville, and his next match will likely be for the belt, which is currently held by Volkanovski. The champion defends his title at UFC 290 next month against Yair Rodriguez, and if he wins that fight and successfully defends his belt, then he wants to take on Topuria next.
Speaking on the “DC & RC” show, Volkanovski praised Topuria for his recent performance, confirming that he would like to take on him next if he gets past Rodriguez at UFC 290. Should the champ win that fight, then he thinks Topuria is the rightful top contender for the belt.
“I’m hearing a lot of people mentioning other guys, Ilia fighting other guys – I’m like, ‘No.’ Don’t do it. Just give me a guy. Give me a contender. To be honest, I’m not going to say too much. I think he’s a good fighter. But the more I speak, the less I’m going to hype up the fight. I think he’s great,” Volkanovski said (via MMAjunkie.com).
“I think it’s a great fight and that would work well on some people, but won’t work well on others. I want (new) guys. I want to be active. I was at a stage where I was like, ‘Give me the No. 1 guy.’ We’ve sort of cleared them. Everyone’s raving on about this guy. I’ve got Yair to worry about. I’ll worry about that first, because I see him as a much bigger threat than Ilia. I’ll make sure I go out there and do my business, and if that’s on the cards – again, I want to be active.
Who do you think would win a UFC featherweight title bout between Alexander Volkanovski and Ilia Topuria?
