Ilia Topuria willing to fight Alexander Volkanovski in Australia: “Wherever we go, I beat him”
After notching his 14th consecutive victory and his biggest win to date in his UFC tenure, Ilia Topuria has the entire featherweight division on notice, and now plenty of chatter about a future fight between him and champion Alexander Volkanovski. This past weekend in the main event of UFC Jacksonville, Topuria handily defeated former interim title challenger Josh Emmett by unanimous decision and cemented his place at the top of the featherweight division.
The timing falls into place for Ilia Topuria to pursue a title fight for his next opportunity as the champion Volkanovski will look to defend his undisputed world featherweight championship against interim champion Yair Rodriguez at UFC 290 on July 8, in Las Vegas, Nevada. With both Topuria and the two champions fighting within weeks of each other, the rising contender could find himself next in line for a title fight opportunity.
Following his victory over Emmett, the undefeated Topuria called for his next fight to be a title shot, but said the only except would be if he were to face former champion Max Holloway in Spain. Holloway, is scheduled to fight The Korean Zombie in late August, and as both have already challenged for the title and came up short, Topuria is next on the short list of upcoming challengers.
Making an appearance on ‘The MMA Hour‘ with Ariel Helwani, Topuria was asked if he would be willing to travel to the defending champion’s home country of Australia and he has no issues fighting in enemy territory, or any territory for that matter. When asked who he thinks will be victorious between the champion and interim champion, he believes the belt will stay with the undisputed champion.
“I think Volkanovski gonna hold the belt, I think he will.”
Helwani then followed up and asked Ilia Topuria about going over to Australia, and his answer was emphatic, with no concerns whatsoever.
Ilia Topuria on fighting Alexander Volkanovski in Australia: “No f****** problem… Wherever we go, I beat him" 👀 #TheMMAHour
▶️ https://t.co/K3FIzPCw3v pic.twitter.com/4eE2Zy59Lu
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) June 26, 2023
“No f**king problem. If I think I’m the best in the world, I can beat him in Australia, in Las Vegas, in Miami, in Spain, wherever we go, I beat him. Location is no problem.”
