Ilia Topuria has conflicting emotions regarding the possibility of granting Alexander Volkanovski an immediate rematch following his victory in the UFC 298 main event. Topuria, who now holds a perfect record of 15-0 in MMA with a 7-0 record in the UFC, became the fifth undisputed featherweight champion in the history of the company after delivering a brutal second-round knockout to Volkanovski (26-4 MMA, 13-3 UFC) at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. Topuria had predicted this outcome and remained confident that he would eventually land a significant blow to secure the belt.
“I didn’t rely on the judges,” Topuria stated. “I simply waited for the right moment. He managed to land a few punches and celebrated prematurely, but I knew my opportunity would come. The game plan from the beginning was to execute long combinations of punches, not just one or two, but three, four, or even five, making it harder for him to anticipate my moves. We executed the plan perfectly, and now I am a world champion. I couldn’t be happier.”
Following a successful title reign that included five victorious defenses, Volkanovski expressed his desire for an immediate rematch with Topuria in the aftermath of UFC 298. While it wouldn’t be unprecedented for Volkanovski to receive such an opportunity, Topuria isn’t particularly enthusiastic about the idea. The 27-year-old believes that the same names have dominated the featherweight division for several years, and he yearns for new blood. However, Topuria also acknowledges Volkanovski’s argument for a rematch.
“He’s a genuinely good person,” Topuria admitted. “To be honest, I’m inclined to give him the rematch because of that. But at the same time, it’s time to move forward. The division needs some reinvigoration. It’s time for the new generation to face new challenges and new opponents. I think I’ll be seeking that. However, my duty is to fight. Whoever the UFC tells me to face next, I will be ready. That’s all there is to it.”
Prior to UFC 298, Topuria had expressed disinterest in fighting the likes of Max Holloway, Brian Ortega, or Yair Rodriguez. Now that he possesses the belt, he stands by that sentiment.
“Max Holloway and the others don’t interest me right now,” Topuria declared. “I need fresh contenders, new ones. There are some upcoming fights, and we’ll see how they unfold. ‘El Matador’ will be here for a while.”
Considering the current state of the division, Topuria remains open to the possibility of another encounter with Volkanovski. However, as the newly crowned champion, he intends to keep his options open and assess what the future holds for him in discussions with his management team and the UFC.
“At this point, that rematch seems like the most logical fight in the division,” Topuria explained. “But we’ll see. I don’t know. I need to have a conversation with my management team and the UFC to determine what lies ahead for me.”
According to the Source mmajunkie.usatoday.com