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 in opposition to 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 tip of his reign as champ, courtesy of a second-round knockout at UFC 298 in February.
Though Volkanovski anticipated a right away 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 doing a little posturing over the thought of preventing Holloway, there are strong odds it can in the end come collectively this 12 months.
Frequent 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 consider Max can go on the market and make that combat look straightforward,” Volkanovski advised FOX Sports activities Australia. “Topuria could be very harmful, a terrific 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 want to indicate 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 in opposition to Volkanovski at UFC 305 in Perth on Aug. 18.
Volkanovski mentioned the UFC didn’t contact him in regards to the matchup, however he’s “not stunned” Topuria wasn’t eager. He expects to see Topuria down the road, although, and has little doubt the outcome could be totally different.
“I do know I can do a a lot better job,” Topuria mentioned. “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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