Volkanovski and Topuria Set for a Showdown at UFC 298
Alexander Volkanovski, the reigning champion, is gearing up to face Ilia Topuria in an eagerly awaited match at UFC 298 on February 17. This will be Volkanovski's sixth title defense, demonstrating his dominance in the featherweight division.
Stellar Track Records
Volkanovski's latest title defense was a resounding third-round TKO victory over Yair Rodriguez. On the other hand, Topuria has been flawless in his UFC career, winning all six of his appearances, with four ending inside the distance. Currently, Topuria holds the No. 5 position in the UFC featherweight rankings, marking him as a formidable contender.
Topuria's most recent victory was against Josh Emmett at UFC on ABC 5 last June, where he showcased his dominance. Now, both fighters predict a swift conclusion to their upcoming match at UFC 298, expecting a first-round finish.
A Fight Delayed
The highly anticipated fight between Volkanovski and Topuria was initially slated for January but had to be postponed due to concussion protocols. The delay followed Volkanovski's knockout loss to Islam Makhachev, which marked the first time Volkanovski has been stopped since his fourth pro fight in 2013.
Volkanovski had bravely stepped up on short notice to face Makhachev at UFC 294 after Charles Oliveira withdrew due to injury. However, Makhachev's head-kick knockout win caught many by surprise, including Diego Lopes who commented, "It was surprising to see how Makhachev finished him. I think we all expected Makhachev to wrestle him all the fight."
Recovery and Anticipation
In response to the delay, Volkanovski stated, "Yeah, obviously, it was scheduled for January... We want to follow all protocols and do everything right, obviously, after the last one. I'm lucky enough to have a great team around me, who've dealt with a lot of concussions in football and what-not. So, I’ve got the right team around me, and we just thought that January was a little bit too soon.”
The champion further added, "I think the timing will be perfect. I'll be back in there soon, but not too soon," signaling his readiness to return to the Octagon while ensuring his health is not compromised.
A Mutual Respect
Despite their upcoming clash, there is a clear sense of respect between the two fighters. Volkanovski had words of praise for Topuria, stating, "He's a powerful dude, he's good everywhere. He's not one-dimensional, he's obviously very well-rounded." However, the champion remains confident about his chances, adding, "I just believe my skills and my understanding of the game is just gonna be that little bit too much for him."
The city and venue for the UFC 298 showdown are yet to be confirmed, but regardless of the location, this fight promises to be an epic battle between two top-tier featherweights.