Alexander Volkanovski is the one fighter to ever share the cage with each Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway, giving him distinctive perception on the looming matchup between UFC champ and BMF champ.
Volkanovski (26-4 MMA, 13-3 UFC) owns three victories on his resume towards Holloway (26-7 MMA, 22-7 UFC) throughout his stint as UFC featherweight titleholder, whereas his lone encounter with Topuria (15-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) led to the top of his reign as champ, courtesy of a second-round knockout at UFC 298 in February.
Though Volkanovski anticipated an instantaneous rematch with Topuria after dropping the belt, it seems Holloway has overtaken his high contender spot after claiming the BMF strap with an all-time knockout of Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 in April. Even with Topuria performing some posturing over the concept of preventing Holloway, there are stable odds it would finally come collectively this 12 months.
Widespread opponent Volkanovski isn’t thrilled about that concept, primarily as a result of he thinks Holloway will win and thus diminish the stakes of a future rematch with Topuria.
“I imagine Max can go on the market and make that combat look straightforward,” Volkanovski advised FOX Sports activities Australia. “Topuria could be very harmful, a fantastic fighter, however I don’t suppose he’s nearly as good as he thinks he’s. And, after all, he caught me, proper? So I can’t actually say a lot.
“I would like to point out everybody. I do know I can do it, too. And I’m additionally fairly assured Max can too, which is why I didn’t need him preventing Topuria earlier than I did.”
Longtime UFC commentator Joe Rogan just lately claimed on an episode of the “JRE MMA Present” with Holloway as his visitor that he heard Topuria declined a rematch provide towards Volkanovski at UFC 305 in Perth on Aug. 18.
Volkanovski stated the UFC didn’t contact him in regards to the matchup, however he’s “not shocked” Topuria wasn’t eager. He expects to see Topuria down the road, although, and has little question the end result can be completely different.
“I do know I can do a a lot better job,” Topuria stated. “I didn’t combat my combat, and he capitalized, so credit score to him. However I do know I can go on the market and make that combat look straightforward.”
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