All signs seem to be pointing towards a rematch between Ilya Topria and Alexander Volkanovski after UFC 308.
Topria successfully defended his featherweight title for the first time on Saturday by knocking out Max Holloway in the third round of their headliner showdown at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. After the match, Volkanovski entered the cage to congratulate “El Matador” and appeared ready for a rematch.
“I told him I wanted to go to the UFC. [the Octagon]. They let me do that, so I’m grateful,” Volkanovski told ESPN. “Danna [White]hunter [Campbell]thank you. At the same time, she says, “I want to give him his moment.” I’ll give him time. His family is also there so we pay our respects. I’m like, ‘Buddy, I’ve been respectful.’ We’ve gotten along well. I hugged his family the whole time. we are fine. I’m going to go out there and give him time, but at the same time let everyone know what we’re doing. Just spice up the fight a little bit, just enough to let everyone know I’m next. But at the same time, honor him. ”
Topria won the 145-pound belt in February of this year with a second-round knockout of Volkanovski at UFC 298. Prior to that, he was a standout in City Kickboxing, undefeated in the UFC’s featherweight division, making five successful title defenses along the way. Given his track record, it seems likely that Volkanovski will get a rematch with Topuria in the near future.
“Look, Volkanovski is one of those guys. We’re not going to say no to Volkanovski,” UFC CEO Dana White said in the UFC 308 post-fight press conference. “He was that guy for us. Whenever we needed him. He ran like this. [Israel] Adesanya, like Alex [Pereira]
is currently being broadcast. When things weren’t going as planned and you needed someone to call, Volkanovski was always that person. He really was.
“I don’t think there’s anyone in this room who thinks, ‘Oh, this is ridiculous, this is crazy,’ and I don’t think there’s anyone who doesn’t want to see it again.”
Topria also said he would be willing to take on a rematch with Volkanovski. However, the champion made it clear that such a fight would only happen on his terms.
