Alexander Volkanovski ready to “shock everyone” against Ilia Topuria at UFC 298

Alexander Volkanovski, the UFC featherweight champion, will be looking to defend his title at UFC 298 against Ilia Topuria. The Australian fighter is coming off a brutal head-kick knockout loss to pound-for-pound king Islam Makhachev at UFC 294.

Topuria, undefeated in his professional MMA career, is coming off a dominant unanimous decision victory against Josh Emmett. Nicknamed the ‘Spaniard,’ akin to Russell Crowe’s Academy Award-winning role in the movie Gladiator, Topuria is a well-rounded fighter with power in both hands.

Alexander Volkanovski ready for Ilia Topuria fight

Preluding their much-anticipated featherweight title fight in Anaheim, California, Alexander Volkanovski had a stern message to his challenger. “I’ve showed time and time again that I’m different, I’m bred different,” said Volkanovski, subtly referencing his otherworldly performances against Brian Ortega, Max Holloway, and Islam Makhachev.

“I’m going to be shocking everyone again,” Volkanovski further said regarding his intention to shock the world. As Volk is coming off a brutal loss against Islam Makhachev, many expect Topuria to run through Volkanovski.

“I’ve never been beaten at featherweight,” Volkanovski reminded everybody of his resume in his division. ‘The Great’ Alexander Volkanovski has beaten every featherweight UFC champion except for Conor McGregor. With three wins over Max Holloway and a win over Jose Aldo, Volkanovski has already cemented himself as the best in the division of all time.

“I just thrive in these situations,” Volkanovski expressed his enthusiasm to fight in high-profile situations. Volk had earlier spoken of his issues with anxiety when not in fight camp, at the post-fight press conference of UFC 294. From his words, it was very evident that he thrives in pressure situations.

Topuria backs himself to become the Featherweight Champion

Like the champion Alexander Volkanovski, Ilia Topuria is also brimming with confidence heading into the UFC 298 featherweight title fight. Topuria revealed his confidence in his recent interview with TNT Sports. However, former champion Max Holloway had picked Alexander Volkanovski over Topuria but that is not the consensus pick.

“I know my skills; I know what I’m capable of doing,” said Topuria, expressing confidence in his skillset, which he believes will be enough to knock out Volkanovski. Even though he has only fought six times in the UFC, he has already showcased his full arsenal with three knockouts and one submission.

“I’m not here by chance, I’m here because I deserve this place I own this place,” Topuria asserted his standing in the featherweight division. The Georgian fighter is ranked third in the division but believes that he is better than the likes of Volaknovski and Holloway among others. Moreover, he has been continuously trolling Volkanovski on social media.

“I’m gonna show the whole world what I’m capable to do,” Topuria sent a stern warning to Volkanovski and the whole world. He had already predicted a first-round knockout at UFC 298 and from the looks of it, Topuria seemed pretty confident in his capabilities.

Who do you think will win in the main event of UFC 298? Leave your prediction below!