Alexander Volkanovski initially wanted to fight Ilia Topuria again, but he supports the featherweight champion’s decision to move up to lightweight for a chance at a second title.
Discussions about a rematch between Topuria and Volkanovski started right after UFC 298, where Topuria knocked out Volkanovski to win the featherweight belt. Topuria then defended his title with another knockout against Max Holloway. Volkanovski, meanwhile, has been on a break for the past year.
Volkanovski is set to return to fight for the vacant featherweight title at UFC 314 on April 12 against Diego Lopes. This is because Topuria is moving to lightweight and is potentially aiming for a fight with Islam Makhachev. While it’s not confirmed if Topuria will immediately get a title shot against Makhachev, Volkanovski believes it’s justified given Topuria’s actions.
Volkanovski said on the Believe You Me podcast that if Topuria tried to hold both belts, it wouldn’t be feasible. He thinks Topuria vacating the featherweight title is fair, especially since the lightweight division doesn’t have a clear number one contender.
Volkanovski believes that because Topuria is letting go of the featherweight belt to focus on lightweight, he deserves a shot at the lightweight title.
Topuria has an undefeated record of 16-0 and believes he is ready to become a two-division champion in the UFC. UFC CEO Dana White has also mentioned that Topuria is no longer interested in cutting weight to 145 pounds.
If Topuria and Makhachev were to fight, it would be a matchup between the top two pound-for-pound fighters in the world. They both share a common opponent in Volkanovski, who offered his prediction for the fight and how Topuria could win.
Volkanovski thinks Islam Makhachev is very difficult to beat, and the most likely way he could lose is by knockout. He feels similarly about himself, believing he could only lose if someone lands a lucky shot rather than outfighting him. He sees Islam as one of the few who could give him a really tough fight. He believes everyone has a chance to land a knockout punch, and that’s Makhachev’s main vulnerability.
Volkanovski added that if anyone is capable of knocking out Makhachev, it’s Ilia Topuria. He acknowledges Topuria’s powerful hands, composure, and persistent search for a knockout. While Topuria’s stamina in later rounds against someone like Islam is uncertain, he will be dangerous in the early rounds. Volkanovski concludes that Topuria has a real chance to catch Makhachev.
