Should you missed UFC 308 final night time, undefeated Spanish-Georgian sensation Ilia Topuria scored an unimaginable third-round knockout within the first official protection of his featherweight world title.
Former champion Alexander Volkanovski sat cageside for the excellent featherweight title bout, and it’s secure to say that ‘The Nice’ Australian is pumped for his long-awaited rematch with the now 16-0 celebrity.
Alexander Volkanovski open to rematching Ilia Topuria in ‘Sydney or Spain’
Just a few hours after the UFC 308 fundamental occasion got here to its dramatic conclusion, former featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski would share his instant response to the principle occasion knockout.
“Ilia seemed spectacular; it was a fairly aggressive combat… I assumed as soon as it obtained to the third spherical, you’ll begin to see him decelerate somewhat bit, however he caught to it and ended up discovering the end – fairly spectacular.
“Unlucky for Max, I assumed Max was nonetheless trying good doing his factor, he seemed fairly comfy in there, however he obtained caught [and] that’s the sport.”
Following their brief face-off in the octagon, we are able to assume that the UFC can be seeking to guide Volkanovski vs Topuria 2 for early 2025 – however the place that title rematch takes place stays to be seen.
On one hand, UFC 312 has been confirmed for February in Australia; on the opposite, the promotion is determined to host its first-ever occasion in Spain with Topuria because the star attraction.
“Ilia – congratulations, spectacular, I’ll see you wherever, Madrid? We will do Madrid early subsequent 12 months,” teased Volkanovski, including how “Sydney is certainly subsequent 12 months in order that’s a date that we all know we are able to do… That will be excellent, however we’ll see what occurs.”
Curiously, he would additionally later admit that while he’d a lot desire to rematch Topuria ‘down underneath’, the temptation of headlining the first-ever UFC Spain card is rising on him.
“Look man, I’ll be sincere, I really like Sydney, and I need to combat in Sydney, however Madrid sounds good too… So long as I’m not ready too lengthy, that’s the massive drawback for me.
“I’d love for him to have his second in Spain… Hopefully we’re not ready years for it, that’s the one drawback. If they might get that completed as quickly as doable, he deserves it.”
Did Volkanovski take something away from UFC 308 that he can use within the rematch?
Ought to the UFC guide Volkanovski vs Topuria 2 for early 2025 in both Sydney or Spain, ‘El Matador’ will probably enter that rematch because the betting favourite – however did Volkanovski study something at UFC 308 that he might doubtlessly implement subsequent time?
“Nah man, we all know that he’s obtained good arms, simply don’t let him land any these huge pictures, you realize what I imply – that’s simply how it’s,” laughed the favored featherweight, earlier than acknowledging that he has certainly taken one thing away from Topuria’s viral end.
“You’re going to must combat your combat, he’s going to land however on the identical time, he’s there to be hit too – with out giving an excessive amount of away, he’s blissful to land bombs, however he’s blissful to be within the vary the place he can eat some as nicely.
“Final time, I didn’t combat my combat, this time I’m going to combat my combat; I do know that he’s obtained energy in his arms however I’m finest once I combat my combat – I’m going to take it to him and land these huge punches first.”
While Ilia Topuria has acknowledged that Volkanovski can be getting that title rematch subsequent, he additionally warned the previous featherweight champion to not overstep the mark.
“Proper now, he’s gonna have to attend for my time. Proper now, I’m the one who chooses the time and place. I select every little thing. I’m the champion and he’s the challenger… I respect him and he deserves the shot, nobody else deserves the shot [more] than Volk.”
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