Who is Ilia Topuria’s next opponent?
Ain’t no rest for the wicked! Ilia Topuria put Alexander Volkanovski out of his misery in the main event of UFC 298 last night. Now calling for a UFC event in Spain, all that Topuria needs now is a dance partner and a date. We don’t speculate on dates but we do on matchmaking. Let’s take a look at what is next for your new featherweight king.
Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway
The name everyone immediately threw out there seconds after Ilia Topuria flattened Volkanovski was Max Holloway. Holloway and Volkanovski had two classic matches and the third was not as good. Holloway lost all three.
The Hawaiian is a fan favorite and his followers are dying to see him with the title again. The only problem is that Holloway is currently booked to fight Justin Gaethje for his BMF belt at UFC 300. That fight promises to be gratuitously violent. If Topuria is insistent on fighting in Spain, it may be some time but Holloway may need that time.
The rematch: Alexander Volkanovski 2
Ilia Topuria stated before the fight that Alexander Volkanovski nor Max Holloway, Yair Rodriguez, or Brian Ortega would get the next title shot. He seems to have changed that tune.
New champ Ilia Topuria will give Alexander Volkanovski a rematch because he's a "good person," but honestly thinks "it's time for the new generation" after #UFC298. pic.twitter.com/UWUQmYBw43
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) February 18, 2024
I’m not one to call for rematches after fighters were finished in the second round and I hesitate to do it now. But Alexander Volkanovski ruled over 145 for five years. He notched five title defenses and several bonuses in that time.
This would come with the caveat that Volkanovski has ample time to recover. He’s been knocked out twice in four months by Topuria and Islam Makhachev.
The dark horse: Movsar Evloev
This one will take some sorting out of the UFC’s featherweight division. He’s not the most exciting fighter, but Movsar Evloev may have the best case for a title shot out of everyone. Undefeated at 18-0 with wins over Dan Ige, Diego Lopes and Arnold Allen in his last three, Evloev would get the shot based on sheer activity.
Ilia Topuria would also need to sit back a bit and let Evloev possibly fight again. But that could be bypassed by Topuria simply saying he wants the fight. With his grappling heavy style, Evloev would bring a different challenge to the new king.
