UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski is facing a crucial moment in his career. After suffering a devastating knockout defeat, the 35-year-old champion is now up against an undefeated 27-year-old talent, Ilia Topuria, who is determined to claim the gold. This has led some to believe that Volkanovski is at his most vulnerable and may lose the belt he has held for over four years.
Volkanovski, however, embraces these doubts and criticisms. He thrives in moments of skepticism and uses them as motivation. He stated, “All these narratives, I love it. Everyone knows I thrive in these moments. When people doubt me, it’s the best.”
The upcoming fight between Volkanovski (26-3 MMA, 13-2 UFC) and Topuria (14-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) will be the main event of UFC 298. It will be held at the Honda Center in Anaheim and will be available on pay-per-view, ESPN, and ESPN+. This marks Volkanovski’s return to the featherweight division after his loss to lightweight titleholder Islam Makhachev last October.
Despite the emotional breakdown he experienced after the loss to Makhachev, Volkanovski now feels mentally stronger and more focused. He acknowledges that this fight against Topuria is one of the toughest challenges he has faced as a champion. However, he remains unfazed by the doubts and criticisms, confident that his performance will speak for itself.
Volkanovski recognizes Topuria’s skills and talent but finds his excessive trash talk intriguing. He appreciates the hype it brings to the fight and is ready to face a young and hungry prospect. While he doesn’t want to come across as arrogant, Volkanovski believes that if he executes his game plan effectively and dominates Topuria, it shouldn’t come as a surprise.
In conclusion, Volkanovski is prepared to face the doubts and criticisms surrounding his upcoming fight against Topuria. He embraces the challenge and uses it as motivation to prove his worth as the champion. With his mental state in a better place, Volkanovski is confident that he will come out victorious and silence his critics.
According to the Source mmajunkie.usatoday.com