Alexander Volkanovski urges Ilia Topuria to capture as many snapshots with his championship belt prior to their upcoming match (via Imago) and is set to compete this weekend. The reigning featherweight champion found himself in an uncomfortable situation with his rival Ilia Topuria during the UFC 298 media day this week. Without seeking permission, Topuria seized Volkanovski’s title belt for a photo opportunity.
The footage displayed Topuria proudly posing with the prestigious belt resting on his shoulder. Alexander Volkanovski soon noticed and approached Topuria regarding this audacious act. In a mocking manner, Volkanovski advised him to take as many pictures as possible before their fight, implying that he would not possess the belt afterward. This is what he expressed:
Topuria had persistently campaigned for a shot at the 145-pound title. He currently maintains an unbeaten record in the UFC and holds a position within the top ten rankings. His recent performance was truly remarkable. Volkanovski, on the other hand, suffered a defeat against the pound-for-pound king. Nevertheless, he remains undefeated in the featherweight division.
Their escalating feud has now acquired additional intensity following this tense confrontation. Volkanovski has vowed to humble Topuria in their upcoming bout. Conversely, Topuria exudes an unwavering confidence in his ability to seize the UFC gold. Fight enthusiasts will bear witness to the collision between an unstoppable force and an immovable object this weekend.
Alexander Volkanovski recently directed criticism towards his rival Ilia Topuria. He accused Topuria of artificially boosting his popularity by purchasing followers on social media. Their simmering feud continues to intensify in anticipation of UFC 298.
In a recent interview, Volkanovski juxtaposed his own journey with that of Topuria. He asserted that everything he has achieved has been through sheer hard work, including his championship title, reputation, and two million Instagram followers. He further insinuated that Topuria resorted to shortcuts in his pursuit of success, suggesting that he purchased fake followers to enhance his brand. It is important to note that there is no concrete evidence supporting the claim that Topuria bought fake followers.
Alexander Volkanovski reacts to Ilia Topuria’s upcoming film “Road to the belt,” which is slated to be released shortly after their fight. 😭🗣️ – “I was like ‘mate, you bought your followers,’ settle down.” 😂[🎥/mainevent]#MMA #UFC pic.twitter.com/v8lJpEJpeG
He also criticized Topuria for documenting his journey to winning the belt before even competing for it. Volkanovski has promised to instill much-needed humility in the brash contender throughout the process. Their ongoing exchange exemplifies the escalating tensions leading up to Saturday’s showdown. Accusations are being hurled faster than punches at the moment. Only time will reveal who will emerge as the champion.
According to the Source firstsportz.com