Source link : https://mma-news.info/alexander-volkanovski-reacts-to-ilia-topurias-rumored-showdown-with-islam-makhachev/
Alexander Volkanovski provided his response to renewed rumors {that a} battle between Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev might be coming sooner relatively than later.
Throughout an interview with Fox Sports activities Australia, Topuria, the reigning UFC featherweight titleholder, made it clear that if he will get his want, his subsequent battle might be in opposition to light-weight champion Islam Makhachev, which might give him the chance to turn into simply the fifth fighter in UFC historical past to acquire champ-champ standing.
“This is something that I want to do, the UFC knows that,” Topuria stated of a battle with Makhachev. “But at the end of the day, this is something that the UFC decides. They know how to run the business. They have a lot of experience. So, if they tell me they want me to keep defending the belt in the 145-pound division, maybe I will do that. But if they let me go up to 155, I will do that also and be very glad.”
Getting wind of Topuria’s feedback, Volkanovski continues to be holding out hope that he’ll get the prospect to run it again with ‘El Matador’ earlier than he runs off to a different weight class. But when the UFC decides to ebook Topuria vs. Makahchev subsequent, then so be it.
“I don’t want to get in the way of someone’s [title dream]. I obviously want that [Topuria] fight,” Volkanovski informed Niko Pajarillo in his personal interview with Fox Sports activities Australia. “It’s gonna suck, because I’d love that. If the UFC want [Makhachev vs. Topuria], and [Topuria] is pushing for it and they can make that happen, then alright. Good on them. But if they can’t make it happen, let’s not waste time and let’s lock our fight in. That’s sort of how it is. But if they can make it happen, sweet.”
If Ilia Topuria stays at 145, Volkanovski is subsequent up
Fortunately for Volkanovski, Topuria isn’t denying the truth that he’s subsequent in line for a shot on the 145-pound crown.
“Yeah, if I stay in 145 no one else deserves the fight more than him,” Topuria stated of Volkanovski. “I have to give him the rematch because he deserves that. It’s not something that I decide. He owns his shot. So, if I stay at 145, I will do that.”
Placing the featherweight title on the road at UFC 298, Volkanovski suffered a vicious second-round knockout in opposition to Topuria. Since then, ‘El Matador’ has efficiently defended his crown, changing into the primary fighter to KO former titleholder Max ‘Blessed’ Holloway in October.
Volkanovski has not competed for the reason that loss to Topuria, opting to take some much-needed day without work to heal after preventing 3 times in each 2022 and 2023.
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Publish date : 2025-02-06 06:47:19
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