All signs seem to be pointing toward an Ilia Topuria–Alexander Volkanovski rematch after UFC 308.
Topuria made his first featherweight title defense on Saturday, as he knocked out Max Holloway in the third round of their headlining clash at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. After the bout, Volkanovski entered the cage to congratulate “El Matador,” seemingly setting the stage for a rematch.
“I told the UFC I wanted to go in [the Octagon]. They let me do that, so I appreciate that,” Volkanovski told ESPN. “Dana [White], Hunter [Campbell], thank you. At the same time, he goes, ‘I want to let him have his moment.’ I’ll give him his moment. I’ll be respectful because his family is in there. I’m like, ‘Mate, I’ve been respectful. I’ve been getting along. I’ve been hugging his family the whole time. We’re good. I’m going to go in there, give him his moment, but at the same time let everyone know what we’re doing, just build that fight up a little bit, just enough to let everyone know I’m next. But at the same time, give him his respect.’”
Topuria claimed the 145-pound belt with a second-round knockout of Volkanovski of UFC 298 this past February. Prior to that, he City Kickboxing standout had not lost at featherweight in the UFC, making five successful title defenses along the way. Because of that track record, it appears that Volkanovski will get a rematch with Topuria in the near future.
“Listen, Volkanovski’s one of those guys, we’re not going to say no to Volkanovski,” UFC CEO Dana White said at the UFC 308 post-fight press conference. “He’s been that guy for us. Any time we needed him. He was on this run like [Israel] Adesanya, like Alex [Pereira] is on right now, when things don’t go our way, and you’ve got to call a guy, Volkanovski’s always been that guy. He really was.
“I don’t think anybody’s in this room going ‘oh this is ridiculous or crazy’ and who wouldn’t want to see it again?”
Topuria also stated that he is willing to give Volkanovski a rematch. However, the champion made it clear that such a fight will happen only on his terms.
