Ilia Topuria claims he will have a significant advantage over Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298.
Topuria will face Volkanovski for the UFC featherweight title at UFC 298 in February next year, Dana White announced earlier this week.
The undefeated Georgian last fought against Josh Emmett at UFC on ABC 5, where he won by a comfortable decision. Volkanovski on the other hand stepped in on short notice to fight Islam Makhachev at UFC 294, where he suffered a brutal knockout defeat at the hands of the lightweight champion.
In a recent episode of the ‘OverDogs’ podcast, Topuria explained why he believes he has an advantage over the Aussie in their upcoming battle.
“Wrestling… That’s where I really think I have the advantage with him because he’s a good striker, but he’s not a natural wrestler, or he’s not good on the ground,” Topuria said. “That’s where I’m going to make a difference. For me, what happened in his last fight (with Makhachev) doesn’t change anything. I know the result will be the same, training is the same, the focus is the same. I’m going to train for the best in the world, and I’m pretty sure I’m going to get that win.
“He has really nothing to lose. He already lost. He already knows how that feels, I don’t know how that feels, and I better never taste how that’s going to feel. So, that’s what I think is going to happen that I’m going to beat Volk on Feb. 17 and then I’m going to fight Max Holloway here in Spain. That’s my goal right now, and I think it’s going to happen.”
Do you agree with Ilia Topuria?
