TJ Dillashaw Blames Alexander Volkanovski’s UFC 298 Loss on ‘Fighting Scared’
Former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw has weighed in on Alexander Volkanovski’s surprising defeat at UFC 298, offering his unique perspective on what led to the downfall of the former featherweight champion.
In a highly anticipated showdown at the Honda Center, Ilia Topuria dethroned Volkanovski with a second-round knockout, ending the Australian’s dominant reign in the division. The loss sparked discussions across the MMA community, with various theories emerging about Volkanovski’s unexpected defeat.
During a recent appearance on the JAXXON PODCAST, Dillashaw shared his insights into the fight, suggesting that Volkanovski’s cautious approach played a pivotal role in his loss.
“Volk fought entirely different from how he had maintained his divisional rule through five successful defenses. He looked scared of Topuria’s power,” Dillashaw remarked. “The first two rounds, all he was doing was throwing kicks without setting them up, expecting Topuria to block them. He was backing up and leaning away whenever Topuria got close. He was fighting scared.”
Dillashaw’s analysis sheds light on Volkanovski’s uncharacteristic strategy and highlights the psychological aspect of combat sports, where fear can significantly impact performance.
Despite the loss, Volkanovski is eager for redemption and has expressed interest in an immediate rematch with Topuria. However, some voices in the MMA community, like Demetrious Johnson, have advised against it, suggesting that Volkanovski should explore other opportunities rather than rushing into a rematch.
As Volkanovski regroups and prepares for his next move, the MMA world awaits his comeback with anticipation, eager to see how he bounces back from his first defeat in the UFC featherweight division.
