Did Ilia Topuria turn down a rematch with Alexander Volkanovski?
Rogan’s So-Called “Inside Information” On UFC Title Fight
Well, that’s what UFC commentator Joe Rogan said recently about the current featherweight champion as the world awaits his first-ever title defense. Spain’s Topuria took the throne from longtime champ Volkanovski at UFC 298, knocking out “The Great” in a brutal blitz against the cage.
There’s no official word on Topuria’s return just yet but Rogan apparently heard through the grapevine that Topuria was offered the Volkanovski rematch at UFC 305 on Aug. 18 in Perth, Australia.
“I don’t know who he wants to fight next, I guess, he feels like he’s the champ, he can call the shots,” Rogan said on ‘The Joe Rogan Experience‘ with Max Holloway. “But, I know that he turned down the Perth one, the [UFC] 305, the Volkanovski rematch.”
Rogan’s striking comments caught the attention of both featherweights in question.
Volkanovski: Topuria Rematch Never Brought To Me
There might be some downtime before we see Australia’s Volkanovski return to the fight game. Once the #1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world, Volkanovski’s career has taken a sort of downward spiral after he turned 35 years old. The UFC veteran lost by KO in back-to-back fights with current champs Islam Makhachev and Topuria all in the span of four months.
While a title rematch with Topuria on home turf would be ideal, the Aussie would rather be safe than sorry with fighting in August.
“Obviously, I’ve made it pretty clear that I wanted to wait a bit towards the end of the year,” Volkanovski responded to Rogan’s ‘insight’ on Fox Sports Australia. “I know that is the end of the year, but I was looking maybe that little bit later. Questions were asked about, what was I gonna fight on the Perth card. A lot of media were were saying, they’re thinking, obviously, I went over there and I was a face of the event when I went over there and did the announcement. So, I’m guessing a lot of people thought I was gonna be on there.
“So, [Topuria] was even getting asked questions about it, he did an interview— I reckon that’s where where Joe Rogan got this, whether he got inside information, I don’t know. Where he was like, ‘Why would I go to enemy territory and fight someone… I’m the champ’ and he was saying things like that. So, whether that’s what Joe Rogan was going off or he’s got inside information, but nothing was ever brought to me as in we wanna fight because I’ve been talking to UFC and I’ve made it clear that I wanna fight later in the year and give myself a bit of a break.”
Rest up, “Old Man Volk”.
Old Man Volk has arrived pic.twitter.com/DvYnLl4ehj
— Ben Davis (@BenTheBaneDavis) February 16, 2024
Topuria Fact-Checks Rogan, Trades Shots With Holloway
For Topuria, the featherweight champion flat-out said he hasn’t declined a rematch with Volkanovski, nor has that offer be brought to him in the first place. “El Matador” would rather fight a new face in BMF titleholder Max Holloway, with the two trading jabs over social media as of late.
“I never turned down the rematch with Alex as the UFC has never offered me this fight,” Topuria wrote on ‘X‘. “As I’ve said many times before, I will be the first to knockout Holloway. Let’s keep this simple: Do you want to fight? If the answer is yes, there’s nothing more to discuss. Bring my [BMF] belt and your pillow.”
I never turned down the rematch with Alex as the UFC has never offered me this fight. As I’ve said many times before, I will be the first to knockout Holloway. Let’s keep this simple: Do you want to fight? If the answer is yes, there's nothing more to discuss. Bring my belt and…
— Ilia Topuria (@Topuriailia) May 1, 2024
“Bro you’re the one making this hard,” Holloway replied to Topuria. “Ennnnooouuggghhhh already lol. I’ll “bring your belt” The Bitching Mother Fcker All you are doing is putting words together now. You’re spiraling.”
Bro you’re the one making this hard. Ennnnooouuggghhhh already lol. I’ll “bring your belt” The Bitching Mother Fcker 😂 All you are doing is putting words together now. You’re spiraling. 🤙🏻 https://t.co/u21kB8YELv
— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) May 1, 2024
