In a highly anticipated matchup, Ilia Topuria is set to face Alexander Volkanovski in the main event of UFC 298 on February 17. While Topuria may not have a UFC title under his belt yet, he remains confident that defeating the current featherweight champion will solidify his own shot at UFC gold. With an impressive record of 14-0, including a flawless 6-0 run in the UFC, the 27-year-old fighter is determined to make a name for himself in the featherweight division.
Topuria's most recent victory came in June 2023 when he secured a unanimous decision win over Josh Emmett, a former interim featherweight title challenger. Now, he is set to go head-to-head with Volkanovski, who has successfully defended his featherweight crown five times. The odds may be against Topuria, as Volkanovski enters the bout as the favorite at -120, while Topuria stands as the underdog at +100. Still, Topuria is unfazed and is ready to showcase his skills on the grand stage.
Volkanovski boasts an impressive career record of 26-3, with a notable 13-2 record in the UFC. His only losses in the promotion came when he moved up to challenge Islam Makhachev for the UFC lightweight title. In his most recent title defense, Volkanovski secured a TKO win over Yair Rodriguez in July 2023. These accomplishments make him a formidable opponent, but Topuria remains undeterred.
Despite being the underdog, Topuria exudes confidence, boldly stating that his victory over Volkanovski will be so decisive that a rematch will be unnecessary. He dismisses any potential challenges from other featherweight contenders, including former champion Max Holloway, who has been a thorn in Volkanovski's side with three previous defeats. Topuria believes that his win over Volkanovski will render Holloway and others irrelevant in the title picture.
Addressing Holloway, Yair Rodriguez, Brian Ortega, and others in the division, Topuria delivered a strong message. 'They can go and retire. I'm never going to give them the chance to fight for the title – never.' This proclamation clearly demonstrates his confidence and determination to dominate the featherweight division.
As for his future opponents, Topuria admits that he is unsure who could be next in line for him. He believes the UFC holds the answer and trusts that they will make the right decisions accordingly. For now, he remains laser-focused on his upcoming clash with Volkanovski and looks forward to what lies ahead.
With UFC 298 just around the corner, fans eagerly await this thrilling featherweight showdown between Ilia Topuria and Alexander Volkanovski. The event will take place at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, and will feature a stacked card filled with exciting matchups. The main card will be available for streaming on ESPN+ pay-per-view, preceded by preliminary bouts on ESPN and early prelims on ESPN+.
It is an exciting time for the featherweight division, as Topuria aims to make a statement and solidify his place among the elite fighters in the UFC. Will he be able to dethrone the champion and capture the coveted UFC gold? Only time will tell, but one thing is for certain – this clash between Topuria and Volkanovski promises a night of thrilling action and potential history in the making.
