“And the lights went out in Australia,” ‘Cocky’ Ilia Topuria shares INCREDIBLE conversation in the fight against Alexander Volkanovski after UFC 298 title win

New champion, Ilia Topuria shares fight titbit during UFC 298's title tint, that led to victory.

“And the lights went out in Australia,” ‘Cocky’ Ilia Topuria shares INCREDIBLE conversation in the fight against Alexander Volkanovski after UFC 298 title win

Ilia Topuria details a funny titbit, before knocking out Alexander Volkanovski (Source: IMAGO/Instagram)

Ilia Topuria had three dreams. The Georgian native nudged as such in an interview with El Hormiguero. One was to be champion; which he did and now warns challenger, Alexander Volkanovski to steer clear of a rehash. The second was to be a prolific motivator; which he did again, as apparent by 80,000 Spanish fans welcoming him back home. The third, he mentioned, is to obtain a Spanish citizenship ID.

That too is well underway. Bagging the featherweight title with a sensational knockout, Topuria had planned on the way. He recently met up with Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez in his efforts for citizenship. Now, in conversation with Pablo Motos, host of the Antena 3 talk show, here’s what he had to say at El Hormiguero about his fight – 

In this fight, precisely, we did talk a little because when he connected me, he celebrated it and in the video, I don't know if it will be able to be seen later...I told him my turn is coming. My moment is going to come soon and I repeated to him twice and when it arrived, the lights went out in Australia.
Ilia Topuria via El Hormiguero
YouTube video

Advancing to 15-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC, the undefeated featherweight had earned the label of ‘cocky’ challenger before his champion status. During the UFC 298 “Countdown” and UFC 298 ‘Embedded,’ Vlog Series, the Spaniard’s camp had put forward a promo in the works. Soon after the win, he dropped a victory montage immediately after beating Alexander Volkanovski.

FS Video

Concurrently though, he has no plans of simmering down his resolve. During the segment at El Hormiguero, Topuria also doused fighting words at Islam Makhchev yet again. The two have been engaging in back-and-forth for a while now. Falling for his “short guy” viral quote, Topuria even sneered at the lightweight recently, despite his admiration for Team Khabib.

Ilia Topuria finds common ground with Cristiano Ronaldo on gadgetry usage

Ilia Topuria is the first Spanish champion in the UFC. ‘El Matador‘ bagged his title gold at UFC 298 (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+) which took place at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. He defeated longtime reigning champ, Alexander Volkanovski in the latter’s 6th title defense.

Ilia Topuria called his shot and staked his claim to the title, thanks to a fitness gadget
Ilia Topuria called his shot and staked his claim to the title, thanks to a fitness gadget (Source: UFC.go.com)

Opening up the bout with a boxing-heavy stance, the Spaniard later resorted to much athleticism. With his incredible and powerful face-wobbling shot and subsequent ground-and-pound, the fighter got much cardio done. From ranged high and mid-kicks, to definitive sprawling and striking, Topuria did it all. So, ever wonder how he, or any other fighter for that matter, keeps rested?

That’s something he and Al-Nassr captain Cristiano Ronaldo have in common. Just like Ronaldo, the fighter uses a fitness ring, that helps him sleep well, enhancing his sporting performance. On the matter, he said:

I always wear a digital ring that measures my sleep, the calories I consume, the physical activity I have and many other data that it gives us.
Ilia Topuria via Marca

This was in a sitdown with Pablo Motos of El Hormiguero, who consequently also urged him to personally meet with the Spanish Prime minister for citizenship, later.

Turns out, Topuria shares his love for the gadgetry with the likes of other sporting entities. Like Ronaldo, Chris Paul, and even Shaquille O’Neal. The reference brand in question – Oura. With Topuria’s shot to fame and fandom, and the product aligning now to a sensational win, it is bound to skyrocket even more.

Case in point – his action-packed KO of Alexander Volkanovski has been nominated as the winner of MMA Junkie’s Knockout of the Month award for February.

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