Alexander Volkanovski wants nothing more than to run things back with Ilia Topuria.
After five title defenses, Volkanovski (26-4 MMA, 13-3 UFC) lost his featherweight title to Topuria by knockout at UFC 298 last February. Topuria has since knocked out Max Holloway to retain his belt at UFC 308 and welcomed a rematch with Volkanovski.
Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) likes Volkanovski but warned that he will suffer the same fate if they rematch.
“Of course, he’s going to be cocky,” Volkanovski told Fox Sports Australia of Topuria’s prediction. “He knocked me out. He thinks he’ll do it again, and he has every right to think that. But I’m going out there to change that, get that belt back. So while he has every right to think like that, he won’t know until I show him.”
Topuria admitted the first choice for his next fight would be moving up to challenge UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. Both fighters suggested they don’t know what’s next.
“Look, nothing is locked in for us, but you’re hearing that from him, so it’s what it is,” Volkanovski said. “I think the UFC are still trying to see what is going on, trying to figure that situation out. You’re also hearing the name Diego Lopes get thrown up for me. So, if Topuria is going up for Islam, I’ll probably be facing Lopes. But again, nothing is locked in.”
Topuria moving up to lightweight would mean an interim featherweight title could be in play. Volkanovski just hopes he gets his opportunity to fight Topuria again at some point.
“Of course, I want that rematch,” Volkanovski said. “But if he wants to move up, and the UFC are interested, I’ll go and win the belt back and then we can both fight as champions. Or maybe he vacates, I become champion and then we do it again later. It just makes the fight even bigger.”
