Volkanovski Targets Topuria Rematch in Spain: 'I’m Going to Get That Belt Back'

[Van Daz]

Alexander Volkanovski is maintaining a strong sense of resolve on the heels of his second consecutive knockout loss.



Volkanovski relinquished the featherweight title to Ilia Topuria in the UFC 298 headliner this past Saturday, as he succumbed to a devastating right hook from his opponent at the 3:32 mark of Round 2. The defeat ended a championship reign at 145 pounds that had lasted more than 1,500 days for the 35-year-old Australian.

In a video on his YouTube channel, Volkanovski assessed his performance, pointing out some of the positives that occurred before the decisive punch landed.


“This is a crazy game we play,” he said. “We can’t win them all. Sometimes you’re the hammer, sometimes you’re the nail. Last fight I was the nail; I’ve been the hammer many times. I’ve ruined a lot of people’s parties many times. [Saturday] night, Ilia got the job done.

“I thought I was doing great. I felt great in there. I think the judges had me up the first round, and I think I was starting to pick it up even more in the second,” Volkanovski continued. “I was ready to even go another level. I had him missing, I was starting to touch him, and I was going to start adding on, and he did a great job of getting me to the cage where we knew we didn’t want to be with someone like him.

“He got me there when I probably had better options than looking for a counter. After he backed me up there, he caught me. He did a great job to find that, a great shot, and that’s all you need in this sport.”

While Topuria has only been lukewarm regarding a potential rematch, Volkanovski seems to be intent on making it happen — and he’s willing to do so in the champion’s home country.

“Next time, it’ll be different, but I’m going to just have a little bit of a rest,” Volkanovski said. “I definitely want that rematch. Spain, what I’m hearing, is going to happen. Dana wants Spain, obviously Ilia wants Spain. That probably won’t be until later in the year.

Volkanovski Targets Topuria Rematch in Spain: 'I’m Going to Get That Belt Back'

Alexander Volkanovski is maintaining a strong sense of resolve on the heels of his second consecutive knockout loss.

www.sherdog.com

 

[Arm Barbarian]

I rewatched the fight and honestly Volk was doing well and winning exchanges, it's just such a tough ask to go 25 minutes without getting touched on the chin against someone as accurate and powerful as Topuria. If he was younger and wasn't coming off 2 bad knockouts it would be much more intriguing but at his age and mileage its tough to see him recapturing it.

Yeah I thought it quite competitive in the first. I thought Volk landed more volume, but Ilia landed the more damaging strikes. Volk has more overall weapons, but Topuria has one shot kill power.

 

[Noraaq]

Young fighter with explosive power and technique like Topuria is just a nightmare match up for an aging fighter. Rematch will end worse for Volk. He should just hang out and let the division move around a bit before making his next decision.

Maybe Topuria loses the belt to Max or Evloev, both of whom would be much more winnable match ups for Volk, IMO.

 

[sdpdude9]

I don’t like instant rematches but given the low bar UFC has set to get them, he should get one if he wants it.

That said, I didn’t see this fight going well for him and I don’t see the rematch going well either. While he did a decent job out pointing him up until the end, I got the sense Ilia was patiently setting him up. Then as soon as he decided to pull the trigger it was over. I don’t think Volk can outpoint him safely for 5 rounds and you’re gonna have an even more confident Topuria in the rematch.

 

[Domitian]

Rather have Max vs Topuria in Spain, let Volk have a fight against Movsar or have a long break.

Max is probably going to need a good bit of time off after the Gaethje fight whether he wins or not. It's a shame that fight is happening. I'd really like to see Max vs Ilia.

 

[Kryptt]

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Winner of the rematch?

Don't want an immediate rematch as much as I admire Volk. It was conclusive and in now way questionable. Get 1-2 back and if it's meant to be it will happen. Volk is more than eligible in my book due to work in grade. I'm just a bit burnt on same to same on every big match. It won't matter if it happens though I'll be glued to the screen enjoying 2 top tier scrappers.

I'd back Ilia again quite likely.

 

[HI SCOTT NEWMAN]

I think he needs to take some time off and just relax, mentally and physically. He's been knocked out twice in a row and like they say once it happens you are more likely to get KO'd again. I'd personally love to see Holloway fight Topuria next

 

[Kryptt]

@StonedLemur @Kryptt @helax @Neck&Neck @Poirierfan

Saw that tour live. So many bodacious tatas!

 

[Dorkman]

Wish Max wasn't scheduled against Gaethje already. Max vs Ilia is super intriguing. Nuclear handed young upstart fresh champion, vs former champion with some of the best boxing around and the most battle tested chin the UFC has ever seen.

 

[The Siege]

Volk did pretty well in the first round, however as long as he keeps backing up or circling with his chin up, he's giving Ilia a great target for 25 minutes. Plus he needs to utilize the clinch more, I know that Ilia is pretty strong and an adept grappler, but if you can't use the clinch when Ilia gets on the inside or puts you against the fence, then it's going to be a long night.

I agree with others, Volk needs a lot of time off. I think he can get back and do better if he takes the time to rest.

 

[Neck&Neck]

Bad move for Volk
they should do the rematch in Atlanta Georgia, for all the Georgians !

the last couple fights he’s seemed to lost a lot of his relentless non stop pace, that made him a champ

i don’t see him winning a hematch

 

[The Siege]

@StonedLemur @Kryptt @helax @Neck&Neck @Poirierfan

Cage door opens, Volk looks up, cut to black.

 

[ComfortablyNumb55]

Hard to avoid ONE SINGLE power shot for 25 minutes.

 

[Final Say]

If you read the live fight thread, many people saw the KO coming from the opening minutes of the fight. It was a pretty foregone conclusion what would happen. Ilia looked aggressive and much more sharp than Volk.

I sincerely doubt Volk gets that belt back.

 

[wannabetoughguy]

His chin is shattered

 

[nostradumbass]

No he's not. This has all the makings of a guy who completely flips and never wins another fight.

 

[Elvis.]

I thought Topuria would beat him the first time , I would lay on him to do it again, but Volk is so intelligent and versatile, he can change as quickly as anyone, I wasn’t confident laying money on Saturday and I wouldn’t be super confident again, but I do think Volk needs a good 8-10 months off to recover beforehand, damage is damage , and if this is what he wants he needs to relax and recover, even if that means someone might get to Topuria first

 

[helax]

@StonedLemur @Kryptt @helax @Neck&Neck @Poirierfan

I want to believe.

 

[Fact Checker]

Im very impressed with Topurias in fight adjustments, his reads are elite. He read Volks movement in the first round and adjusted by throwing punches where Volk dipped/moved his head.


I think Topuria has Volks timing down, he gets it done faster in a rematch.

 

[Poirierfan]

@StonedLemur @Kryptt @helax @Neck&Neck @Poirierfan

Great song but I've stopped believing, Topuria is better everywhere. Lol