LAS VEGAS – Ilia Topuria thinks Alexander Volkanovski wants to move back to lightweight after UFC 290 because he sees Islam Makhachev as a more winnable matchup.
Topuria (14-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) punched his ticket to top featherweight contender status with a UFC on ABC 5 main event win over Josh Emmett this path month. He eagerly awaits the outcome of Saturday’s championship bout between Volkanovski (25-2 MMA, 12-1 UFC) and Yair Rodriguez (15-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC), which takes place at T-Mobile Arena and airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ABC, ESPN and ESPN+.
Whether Topuria will actually get the winner remains to be seen. Volkanovski is keen to avenge what’s currently his only octagon defeat against Makhachev from UFC 284 in February, and said he thinks he’ll get the opportunity with a successful title defense against Rodriguez.
