New Featherweight Champion Ilia Topuria Shocks the UFC World
In a stunning display of skill and power, Ilia Topuria has emerged as the new featherweight champion of the UFC. The fight took place on February 17 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, and Topuria made sure to leave a lasting impression. In just two rounds, he knocked out Alexander Volkanovski, leaving the former champion unconscious.
Topuria’s victory came as a surprise to many, as Volkanovski had been reigning as the champion. But Topuria’s performance was nothing short of spectacular. Not only did he claim the title, but he also made a bold statement by calling out Conor McGregor, the former two-weight UFC champion.
“Conor McGregor, if you still have some balls, I will be waiting for you,” Topuria declared during the ESPN broadcast.
The potential fight between Topuria and McGregor would undoubtedly be a spectacle. Topuria’s rise to prominence is reminiscent of McGregor’s own journey, particularly when he shocked the world with a 13-second knockout of Jose Aldo. While Topuria’s victory over Volkanovski wasn’t as quick, it was just as intense and newsworthy.
The fight itself was shaping up to be a thrilling one, with Volkanovski landing 47 of his 107 strikes. However, Topuria remained unfazed and retaliated with a devastating blow that sent Volkanovski to the ground. Topuria wasted no time and continued to attack until the referee intervened, awarding him the victory.
Watch the incredible knockout here:
Ilia Topuria’s KO of Volkanovski: Topuria displayed excellent skills in countering Volkanovski’s high volume of kicks. His timing was impeccable, and he landed a powerful right cross that proved to be decisive. Another commendable move by Topuria was his ability to read the situation and recognize when Volkanovski was backed against the fence.
In a stunning turn of events, Topuria emerged victorious, raising his hands and placing them on his head in disbelief. His mouth hung open in awe as he realized the reality of his win. This triumph propelled his professional MMA record to an impressive 15 wins, consisting of five knockouts, eight submissions, and two decisions. The undefeated fighter exuded confidence throughout the week, boldly declaring that he would be the one to defeat Volkanovski.
Expressing his elation, Topuria shared his happiness during an ESPN broadcast after securing the 15th win of his career. He offered words of encouragement to others, stating that despite the naysayers and obstacles, anything is possible if one trusts themselves, works tirelessly, and has faith. The new UFC world champion emphasized the importance of focusing on what lies ahead rather than dwelling on the past, regardless of one’s background.
Volkanovski, who had only competed in title fights since his featherweight championship victory over Max Holloway in 2019, suffered his second consecutive defeat. He previously lost to Islam Makhachev in a lightweight rematch last year and now to Topuria. Despite his disappointment, Volkanovski gave credit to his opponent without making any excuses. Acknowledging Topuria’s skills, he admitted that he was caught off guard by the hard-hitting fighter.
Looking to the future, Volkanovski suggested the possibility of a rematch in Spain, mentioning Topuria’s repeated references to the country. The former featherweight champion expressed his intention to work on his techniques and applauded Topuria for his knockout victory. According to Topuria, his relentless barrage of punches and combinations ultimately led to Volkanovski being knocked out cold.
Alan Dawson, a combat sports and UFC reporter, covers this exhilarating event.
According to the Source heavy.com