Ilia Topuria News
Sean O’Malley says super fight with Ilia Topuria will be next if both men win their upcoming bouts
Susan Cox - January 12, 2024
Sean O’Malley is advising that a super fight with Ilia Topuria will happen next if both men win their upcoming bouts. UFC 298 takes place on Saturday, February 17th at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
Josh Emmett reveals who he gives slight edge to for Alex Volkanovski vs. Ilia Topuria: "It’s hard for me to bet against ..."
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 7, 2024
Josh Emmett doesn’t consider himself to be a modern day Nostradamus, but he does know who he’s leaning towards picking for the UFC 298 main event. Headlining that planned February 17 pay-per-view will be reigning UFC featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski. He’ll be putting his gold at stake against undefeated challenger Ilia Topuria. It’s a tough fight to call between a dominant champion, who is coming off a devastating KO loss to lightweight titleholder Islam Makhachev, and the rising Topuria. As it stands now, Volkanovski is the -155 betting favorite, while Topuria is a +130 underdog, per DraftKings Sportsbook.
Sean O’Malley challenges Ilia Topuria to bet on their upcoming PPV numbers: “100k cash whoever’s PPV is bigger”
Susan Cox - January 5, 2024
Sean O’Malley is challenging Ilia Topuria to bet on their upcoming PPV numbers. The current UFC bantamweight champion, O’Malley (17-1 MMA) is preparing to defend his title in a rematch against Marlon Vera (23-8 MMA) at UFC 299 which takes place on Saturday, March 9th at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida.
Ilia Topuria lays out plan to fight Conor McGregor after beating Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298
Cole Shelton - January 4, 2024
Ilia Topuria is expecting to have a massive 2024. Topuria is set to headline UFC 298 on Feb. 17 in Anaheim, California against Alexander Volkanovski for the featherweight title. With still over a month to go to the fight, Topuria is a small +130 underdog, which implies a 43.5% chance of winning the fight.
Alexander Volkanovski vows to embarrass Ilia Topuria in UFC 298 return: "I am still that guy"
Josh Evanoff - December 5, 2023
UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski is out to prove a point against Ilia Topuria. ‘The Great’ has been out of the cage since a short-notice rematch with Islam Makhachev in October. There, Alexander Volkanovski suffered his second loss to the lightweight champion, this time by stoppage. Following the bout, he called for a fast turnaround against Ilia Topuria in January.
Ilia Topuria details the key “advantage” he will have over Alex Volkanovski at UFC 298
Susan Cox - November 23, 2023
Ilia Topuria is detailing the key ‘advantage’ he will have over Alex Volkanovski at UFC 298. UFC 298 will take place on Saturday, February 17th at a TBD venue in Los Angeles, California.
Ilia Topuria already eyeing Max Holloway after Alexander Volkanovski: "It's going to happen"
Josh Evanoff - November 23, 2023
UFC featherweight contender Ilia Topuria wants Alexander Volkanovski, then he wants Max Holloway in Spain. ‘El Matador’ and ‘The Great’ are currently slated to face off at UFC 298 in February. That bout will be Alexander Volkanovski’s first since a knockout loss to Islam Makhachev in October. Due to that knockout defeat, there were questions if the featherweight champion would be able to fight Ilia Topuria in early 2024.
Alexander Volkanovski looking forward to humbling Ilia Topuria at UFC 298: "The man to do that"
Josh Evanoff - November 10, 2023
UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski believes he’s the right man to humble Ilia Topuria. ‘The Great’ has been out of action since a short-notice rematch with Islam Makhachev last month. The lightweight champion was first expected to face Charles Oliveira, but ‘Do Bronx’ withdrew due to injury. As a result, Alexander Volkanovski stepped up on two weeks notice.
Alexander Volkanovski vs. Ilia Topruria featherweight title fight targeted for UFC 298 in February
Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 5, 2023
UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski may not be fighting in January, but he is factored into plans for a February title bout. Volkanovski had asked for a quick turnaround after suffering a head kick knockout loss in his rematch with UFC lightweight titleholder Islam Makhachev. After the defeat, an emotional Volkanovski said he needs to fight again soon because without something scheduled he loses direction.
Alexander Volkanovski confirms plans for short-notice turnaround against Ilia Topuria: "I don't need a break"
Josh Evanoff - October 24, 2023
UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski is still planning to fight Ilia Topuria in January. ‘The Great’ is fresh off his short-notice clash with Islam Makhachev on Saturday night. Just two weeks ahead of UFC 294, Alexander Volkanovski stepped up for a rematch with the lightweight champion. Famously, the featherweight titleholder was reportedly about to enter training camp for a January bout with Ilia Topuria.
Bryce Mitchell claims his loss to Ilia Topuria "don't count" because he was sick: "Wasn’t even me in there"
Cole Shelton - September 21, 2023
Bryce Mitchell says he shouldn’t have fought Ilia Topuria as he was too sick. Mitchell suffered his first career defeat back in December as he lost by second-round submission to Topuria at UFC 282. It was a lopsided performance from Topuria and after the fight, Mitchell revealed he was sick and should have pulled out.
Max Holloway responds after Ilia Topuria suggests it’s time for him to retire following win at UFC Singapore
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 28, 2023
Max Holloway will not be heeding Ilia Topuria’s advice. Topuria was paying attention to Holloway’s recent outing against “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung. Holloway won the fight with a walk-off KO. The featherweight scrap headlined UFC Singapore this past Saturday. After the fight, Topuria hopped on Twitter to suggest it’s time for “Blessed” to hang up his MMA gloves.
Alexander Volkanovski sends a message to Ilia Topuria after Aljamain Sterling loses at UFC 292
Cole Shelton - August 21, 2023
Alexander Volkanovski has his sights set on Ilia Topuria. Volkanovski was paying close attention to the UFC 292 main event, as Aljamain Sterling had said if he beat Sean O’Malley he was going to call out Volkanovski and fight for the featherweight title. It appeared the featherweight champ was interested in the fight, but Sterling suffered a second-round TKO loss to O’Malley to lose his belt.
Jon Anik explains why Justin Gaethje defeating Dustin Poirier was the “perfect” result for Ilia Topuria
Harry Kettle - August 2, 2023
UFC commentator Jon Anik has explained why Justin Gaethje’s win over Dustin Poirier was a great result for Ilia Topuria. Last weekend at UFC 291, Justin Gaethje was able to defeat Dustin Poirier via knockout. In doing so, many believe he set himself up for a UFC lightweight title shot. Of course, Charles Oliveira is getting the next crack at Islam Makhachev in October, but Gaethje may well be waiting for the winner.
Alexander Volkanovski slams 'delusional' Ilia Topuria: "Do you watch me fight?"
Josh Evanoff - July 10, 2023
UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski has some choice words for Ilia Topuria. ‘The Great’ returned to the cage for yet another title defense against Yair Rodriguez at UFC 290. While ‘El Pantera’ held interim gold stemming from a destructive win over Josh Emmett in February, he was no match. In the pay-per-view headliner, Alexander Volkanovski dominated en route to a fourth-round knockout win.
Ilia Topuria shares bold prediction for “easy” Alexander Volkanovski
Cole Shelton - July 10, 2023
Ilia Topuria is extremely confident heading into a potential title fight against Alexander Volkanovski. In the main event of UFC 290, Volkanovski defended his featherweight title with a third-round TKO over Yair Rodriguez. Following the win, it’s uncertain what will be next for the Aussie as he may move up to lightweight, but if he stays at featherweight, Topuria believes he should be the fight.
Ilia Topuria's girlfriend admits she “felt really bad” for Josh Emmett at UFC Jacksonville: “Baby, you should have a little bit of mercy”
Harry Kettle - June 28, 2023
Ilia Topuria’s girlfriend has admitted that she felt bad for Josh Emmett during their featherweight main event last weekend. Last Saturday night, Ilia Topuria made a real statement. He battered Josh Emmett throughout the course of their five-round collision, with many fans and pundits wondering how Emmett was able to survive. Alas, he did survive, and he even made a valiant effort to battle his way back into the contest in the fifth round.
Alex Volkanovski views UFC 290 opponent Yair Rodriguez as a “much bigger threat” than Ilia Topuria
Harry Kettle - June 28, 2023
Alex Volkanovski has explained why he considers Yair Rodriguez to be a bigger threat than Ilia Topuria as the division continues to heat up. Next month at UFC 290, Alex Volkanovski will defend his UFC featherweight championship against Yair Rodriguez. It will serve as a unification bout, given that Rodriguez is currently the interim champ.