UFC 298 news: Australian star Alex Volkanovski vows to embarrass ‘delusional’ Ilia Topuria

UFC featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski hasn’t minced his words when it comes to his next fight – promising to do the world a favour and silence a ‘delusional’ rising star.

A man on a mission: Aussie UFC legend Alexander Volkanovski. Picture: Getty

Alex Volkanovski is on a quest to humble a cocky Ilia Topuria in their featherweight title showdown at UFC 298 on February 17, while simultaneously proving to the world that he isn’t a spent force.

Just three weeks on from his lightweight title fight defeat to Islam Makhachev, Volkanovski has already booked in what will be his sixth featherweight title defence.

Topuria has enjoyed a rapid rise, climbing to fifth in the featherweight rankings after six wins in the UFC since October 2020.

The 26-year-old secured his shot at Volkanovski with a five-round demolition of former interim title challenger Josh Emmett in June, but Volk doesn’t believe he has properly earned his time in the spotlight yet.

“He’s good and he’s powerful, but he tries to carry himself like he’s the champion already,” Volkanovski told this masthead.

Alex Volkanovski destroyed Yair Rodriguez in his last title defence.

“He thinks he’s the king already.

“Mate, you haven’t even swum with the sharks yet. Once you start swimming with the sharks, then you can come at the Megalodon.

“He should be confident, but he’s starting to get a little delusional.

“Look at the sharks I was swimming with before I took on (Max Holloway).”

Those sharks included one-time interim title challenger Chad Mendes and Hall of Famer Jose Aldo, and Volkanovski is hell bent on proving Topuria is out of his depth.

“He’s still young and I get to teach him a lesson, and give him some humble pie,” he says. “Maybe then he turns shit around. Maybe he doesn’t have the right people around him that need to humble him.

“I feel like I’m doing the world a favour. I feel like I’m going out of my way to humble him.”

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UFC 298: Volkanovski vs. Topuria on January 17 will be available to order exclusively at mainevent.com.au

Ilia Topuria smashed Josh Emmett in June. Picture: Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC

Part of Topuria’s shtick is handing a rose to each of his defeated opponents, and he has already produced a social media video with the rose he plans on giving Volkanovski.

It’s just another thing that’s getting under the champion’s skin.

“Good on him, he’s playing a part or something, and I’d like that if it’s just him playing the game, but he really believes he’s the best fighter the UFC has ever seen,” he says.

“You want confidence, but is he preparing accordingly?

“Or is he just doing what he’s been doing to prepare for everybody else? You’d better show me something different. If not I’m gonna f***ing embarrass you in front of the world.”

The fifteenth rose🌹

My prediction is a first round finish, what's yours?#AndNew#IliaTopuria #ElMatador #UFCpic.twitter.com/9yveEXt7FM

— Ilia Topuria (@Topuriailia) November 6, 2023

Volkanovski also says he has a point to prove after sections of the UFC public have counted him out following his knockout loss to Makhachev.

“It’s like people forgot that I fought on 12 days’ notice. It’s like they forgot I had a surgery. Had a baby,” he says.

“Literally they think I’m on the downhill. “People are quick to forget.

“They say, ‘He’s just rushing into it, he’s gonna get knocked out’.

“I don’t mind being in this position. Now I’m in a position where questions need to be answered. I love that. This shit gets me going.

“I’ve got this young, hungry, undefeated guy. A powerful dude, and people are saying, ‘He’s going to send Alex down, he’s done’.

“Ok, I’ll show you.

“I’m back in a position where I’ve got a chip on my shoulder and I’m going to show these guys.

“I thrive in it, it gives me a clear goal.”

Originally published as UFC 298 news: Australian star Alex Volkanovski vows to embarrass ‘delusional’ Ilia Topuria