Laura Sanko says she was heartbroken to see Alexander Volkanovski get knocked out but would like to see the rematch after UFC 298.
Volkanovski was looking to defend his featherweight title against the undefeated challenger in Ilia Topuria. It was a highly-anticipated fight, and after a competitive first round, Topuria scored a devastating second-round KO to become the new champ.
“I’m heartbroken for Alexander Volkanovski but I am simultaneously, overjoyed for Ilia Topuria and it’s a mix of emotions. Everybody went crazy backstage, too,” Sanko said to MMAFighting.
Following Ilia Topuria’s win, UFC CEO Dana White has said the promotion will go to Spain for him, which Laura Sanko says speaks volumes.
According to Sanko, she believes Topuria has all the tools to be one of the biggest stars in the UFC.
“Sky’s the limit. The only thing that holds guys back, can they talk, check. His English is excellent and he’s willing to put himself out there but it’s also in a respectful admirable way,” Sanko said. “The other thing that holds guys back, especially in the smaller weight classes is if they don’t finish very much. He’s a finishing machine, so you have to have the results to get people on board. When you have the results and you are good on the mic and you have the look… he checks all the boxes.”
Laura Sanko says Alexander Volkanovski deserves an immediate rematch
Following Ilia Topuria scoring a second-round KO over Alexander Volkanovski, the new champ said he wasn’t too interested in an immediate rematch.
However, Sanko believes that Volkanovski should take some time off after another knockout loss. She suggests Max Holloway as Ilia Topuria’s next opponent but also considers the winner of the Yair Rodriguez vs. Brian Ortega fight as a suitable option. Then Volk can face the winner of Ilia vs the winner of Ortega vs Yair.
“Ideally Volk would take just the right amount of time. You don’t want him to sit out so long that, that age becomes a bigger factor. I do think ring rust is more of a factor the older you are, the lower the weight classes. You don’t want him out that he doesn’t lose timing and speed and all those things you need to keep sharp on a daily basis,” Sanko said.
‘But, I do think he needs a bit of a break. Although he is 100 percent earned a rematch, as dominant champions always do, I think that rematch will be there for him when he is rested up and ready to take it on. In the meantime, my wish fight would be for Ilia Topuria to fight Max Holloway… That is the fight that I really want to see at featherweight, however, the winner of Yair Rodriguez vs. Brian Ortega, I don’t hate either,” Sanko concluded.
Whether or not Topuria vs. Volkanovski 2 will be next is uncertain, but Sanko is excited for whoever is next for the new champ.
