- Alexander Volkanovski discussed his KO loss to Ilia Topuria at UFC 298
- The now-former featherweight champ explained why the UFC should grant him a rematch
Alexander Volkanovski accepts his tough KO loss to Ilia Topuria but he believes he should get an instant rematch.
No excuses
Speaking to the media in his UFC 298 post-fight presser, “The Great” unsurprisingly gave “El Matador” the credit he deserved. For Volk, it was unfortunate that he got caught but he and Topuria both came in prepared.
“You can’t take anything away from Topuria. If he puts a hand on you like that, you’re going to go down. I don’t care. That’s just that. That was a clean right hand. I think no matter who you are, if you let one of those land on your chin while you’re caught there, you’re probably going down… He caught me. So, I won’t take nothing away from him. I won’t sit there and say, ‘It was this. It was that,'” Volkanovski said.
Nothing else but a rematch
Topuria kept talking about defending his title in Spain. Volkanovski thinks that would be fine but they could also do it at Madison Square Garden or anywhere else. For “The Great,” the most important thing right now is that the UFC realize that he has done more than enough to deserve a rematch.
“Right now I don’t want to talk about that [155 title] I want to talk about my rematch. That’s it… He wants Spain… Let’s just talk about Spain and 145,” Volkanovski pointed out.
“If the Spain one doesn’t happen for the rematch, maybe we do it in MSG. It doesn’t matter like you know I mean, it’s just, I want that rematch you know. I think I deserved it. As I’ve said I’ve been reigning champ for what? Almost 5 years is that right? Defended multiple times, fought Max [Holloway] three times when you know let’s be real, I didn’t have to, short notice fights, being active, doing the favors and I just want that rematch. I don’t ask for much,” he added.
Prior to losing his featherweight belt to Topuria, Volkanovski successfully defended his title five times. He also once was the UFC’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter. As for “El Matador,” he might only consider a rematch because Volk is “such a nice person” but he is leaning towards fresh blood.
Watch Volk’s full presser below:
