Alexander Volkanovski’s coach understands why Ilia Topuria opted to vacate his UFC featherweight title.
Topuria knocked out Volkanovski to claim the 145-pound title at UFC 298, then defended it successfully with a knockout of Max Holloway at UFC 308. Volkanovski (26-4 MMA, 13-3 UFC) was gearing up for a title-fight rematch against Topuria, but “El Matador” will now be making a permanent move to lightweight.
Volkanovski’s head coach, Joe Lopez, thinks Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) is following the footsteps of the sport’s biggest star.
“I spoke to his coaches and everything else, but on all accounts I think he he struggles to make that featherweight division,” Lopez told Submission Radio. “I guess he’s won that title, and he wants to follow the same path as (Conor) McGregor – and good luck to him if he makes that much money. I’d do i,t as well.”
With Topuria relinquishing his featherweight title, Volkanovski will meet Diego Lopes (26-6 MMA, 5-1 UFC) for the vacant belt in the UFC 314 main event April 12 at Kaseya Center from Miami.
If Volkanovski is able to recapture the title, Lopez would love to see a potential scenario where he gets his rematch with Topuria at lightweight.
“Oh, 100 percent, it would be a fight of ages, and I know Volk wants to get that back,” Lopez said. “He was pretty disappointed that Ilia pulled out because Volk’s very proud, and he wants it back. He just wants it back.
“Like I’ve said, maybe we came back too early after the Islam (Makhachev) fight (at UFC 294) and Volk was a little bit gun shy, but we’re not here to make excuses. But we’d really like to get that one back.”
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