UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski confronted Ilia Topuria before their title fight in the main event of UFC 298 on Saturday.
Volkanovski is looking to return to the win column after he was knocked out by Islam Makhachev up at lightweight back in October. In his return to the division he reigns, he will be facing Topuria who is an undefeated and confident challenger.
In the lead-up to the fight, Ilia Topuria has already written he’s a UFC champion in his Instagram bio. Along with that, before UFC 298 during his photo shoot, he decided to pose with the title and have it wrapped around his waist
Que piensan🤯 #UFC298 #AndStill o #AndNew ❓ pic.twitter.com/JH1go0HLrC
— UFC Español (@UFCEspanol) February 14, 2024
As Topuria was holding onto the belt, Volkanovski walked by when he decided to confront him about what he was doing.
“May as well make the most of it, eh? Fight week. May as well wear it now, wear it now, take pictures now because you won’t have it after,” Volkanovski said to Topuria.
Topuria was quick to respond that he will have the belt after Saturday night which isn’t a surprise. The Georgian-Spainard has been oozing with confidence in the lead-up to the fight as he claims he will KO Volkanovski in the first round.
Alexander Volkanovski plans to humble Ilia Topuria
Along with Ilia Topuria posing with the belt at a photo shoot, he also took the title at the UFC 298 press conference. It shouldn’t be a surprise from Topuria as he has been full of confidence, however, Volkanovski has made it clear he plans to humble the challenger on Saturday night in Anaheim.
“It doesn’t get to me. If I didn’t go out there and do what happened in October, these conversations are much different — believe me. You can say all you want, ‘This is the guy.’ Post-fight press conference, it’s gonna be a totally different conversation,” Volkanovsaki said at the UFC 298 media day. “I’m ready for a young, hungry prospect to come and bring a fight but I won’t be surprised, and you shouldn’t be surprised, if I make it look easy. I’m not saying that’s exactly how it is. I’m not cocky like that. I’ve prepared properly, but if he doesn’t land a punch and I rag-doll him and make him look like nothing in there, you shouldn’t be surprised.”
Heading into the title fight at UFC 298, Alexander Volkanovski is a slight -125 favorite while Ilia Topuria is a +105 underdog.
