In the aftermath of his loss to Ilia Topuria at UFC 298, Alexander Volkanovski (26-4 MMA, 13-3 UFC) finds himself at odds with his conqueror’s post-fight declarations. Topuria (15-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) stirred the pot by suggesting that if they were to rematch, Max Holloway’s BMF title should be up for grabs.
Volkanovski expressed his frustration with Topuria’s indecision regarding his next opponent. The former champion emphasized the responsibility that comes with holding the belt and criticized Topuria’s reluctance to face top contenders like Holloway, Brian Ortega, or even himself. Volkanovski, who defended his title five times, believes that Topuria needs to embrace the role of a champion and show more clarity in his intentions.
While Volkanovski refrained from disparaging Topuria, he highlighted the stark contrast between their approaches to championship status. He acknowledged the pressure and accountability incumbent upon a champion, contrasting it with Topuria’s seemingly uncertain stance on his fighting future.
Despite his critiques, Volkanovski recognized Topuria’s potential and urged him to make better decisions moving forward. He speculated that Topuria’s current approach might be a strategy to generate hype, but emphasized the importance of proving oneself against top competition rather than fixating on high-profile names like Conor McGregor or Islam Makhachev.
