Alexander Volkanovski Snubs Arman Tsarukyan for Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway Rematch

This week on "The Great" Talks: Ilia Topuria list of potent challengers increases with Max Holloway, after UFC 318 PPV win over title challenger.

Alexander Volkanovski Snubs Arman Tsarukyan for Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway Rematch

Max Holloway simultaneously guarded BMF and boosted title talks at UFC 318 (Source: X)

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If #2 lightweight Arman Tsarukyan was putting all his eggs in the UFC 317 PPV backup fighter basket, his hopes are less than little. After this Saturday’s UFC 318 PPV main event, Max Holloway vs. Ilia Topuria in a title rematch seems like a greater possibility.

UFC CEO Dana White already said Tsarukyan’s UFC 317 backup role doesn’t mean he’s out of the doghouse yet. He pulled out of the UFC 311 fighter weigh-ins when he had his shot at gold, and now needs bigger steps in strides to work his way back up.

The Armenian star had a late summer return in mind vs. Paddy Pimblett, who also has gold aspirations. Meanwhile, common rival and featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski rates Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway’s credentials on the contention ladder to be greater.

I know Max just won, but now [it’s] at lightweight…Max beat Justin Gaethje when he was a number one contender…And Poirier who just fought for the title…He’s literally beat two main guys that you need to beat to get a title shot.

Alexander Volkanovski via his Official YT channel (🎥: @alexvolkanovski)

The BMF Champ had the rare antagonistic role of spoiling fan-favorite Dustin Poirier’s retirement this weekend. Home state native Poirier was fighting his last fight at NOLA — in the promotion’s 6th visit to the grounds. Before this, ‘The Diamond’ tried a third and last bid at the UFC 155-pound gold at UFC 302, some 13 months ago.

Even before that, Holloway bagged the silver with a history-making KO over Justin Gaethje, who at that time was a top contender. While he did move down to 145lbs, Holloway has wins over the most recent top names to gun for gold. Meanwhile, the Armenian has narrowly defeated title challenger Charles Oliveira at the same UFC 300 PPV lineup.

With Saturday’s pay-per-view main event, Holloway guarded the silver in his possession and boosted his hopes as a lightweight top contender. Per Volk, his credentials far outweigh others in the convoluted lightweight lineup. However, the Aussie legend thinks the Spaniard has a steep challenge ahead if this fight gets made.

Ilia Topuria warned that beating Max Holloway in a potential rematch would be much tougher

In the fallout of UFC 318, ‘Blessed’ wanted to make sure he had yet another shot at 155-pound title. Max Holloway wants yet another chance to challenge newly minted king Ilia Topuria and take his undefeated status.

Max Holloway to be whole new man in Ilia Topuria rematch
Max Holloway to be whole new man in Ilia Topuria rematch (Source: X)

During UFC 318 fight week, Alexander Volkanovski appeared on Fox Sports’ Main Event show. The Aussie confidently billed that former three-time rival Hollway would get one in the bag when it mattered. A matchup at 155-pounds could bring greater chance for the Hawaiian to succeed.

At UFC 308, Topuria continued his winning ways and knocked out Holloway. But Volk thinks that the gritty fighter returns back better every time. He has had a more fulfilling cut at 155 again, and UFC 318 was testament to that success.

There’s very few that can bounce back [away from knockout losses] in a positive way, …[He] is the type of guy that will make the right adjustments and come back, not only the same guy he was, maybe even better. Ilia’s always going to be a hard matchup for anybody…But what would have Max learned from that? We will see…If Max comes out and improves himself, that’s probably gonna be an even tougher fight for Ilia [the] next time.

Alexander Volkanovski told Niko Pajarillo for Fox Sports Australia Main Event show (@mainevent)

Many would think he’s in a bad position over the Topuria KO loss. But Holloway finds himself 4-1 in the last few outings and in an ever-improved state. He is also 2-1 in UFC 155-pound ballot competition after a career-reviving win in the column. At 8+ hours in UFC competition, he remains the most experienced that Topuria has faced and El Matador’s toughest challenge to date.

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