“He cuts the distance very well,” Spanish contender Ilia Topuria lists best qualities of Alexander Volkanovski ahead of UFC 298

Ilia Topuria is aware of the challenges Alexander Volkanovski can bring to UFC 298's title contention scene.

“He cuts the distance very well,” Spanish contender Ilia Topuria lists best qualities of Alexander Volkanovski ahead of UFC 298

Ilia Topuria recognizes the challenges Alexander Volkanovski can pose, but is ready for it (Source: Instagram)

The combat sports bubble is right on the cusp of UFC 298’s spectacular lineup. Moreover, a much-hyped featherweight event headlines the fight card. UFC 298 (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+) takes place Saturday from the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. Streaking Spaniard Ilia Tuporia guns for the title gold that Alexander Volkanovski holds on to. Additionally, 185lbers Paulo Costa and Robert Whittaker finally have their twice canceled face-off in the co-mains.

Preceding Media Day in Sydney, and edging close towards UFC 298, the fighters have been engaging in social media rounds and live sitdowns. The UFC 298 “Countdown” to UFC 298 ‘Embedded,’ Vlog Series have already been gisting their journeys and prepping so far. Now, Ilia Topuria sat down with color commentator Jon Anik, for ESPN MMA, to discuss his matchup. He said:

Yeah [on what Volkanovski does really well]…He kicks really well…with the low kicks. He cuts the distance very good, He WAS the best guy in the world for some reason. He was the pound-for-pound for some reason…So, the guy deserves his respects. He’s good…But, as I told you before [in native language]…’The strategy I bring into the fight, he won’t be able to resolve it’…

Ilia Topuria said
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In no shortage of terms, the fighter lauded Alexander Volkanovski as deserving of his respect. But, that’s all in the past now. Standing at 14-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC, the undefeated featherweight is ready for the challenge ahead. Despite the Aussie’s 5 successful title defense runs, he considers Volkanovski to be washed up and better suited in cooking as his side gig. Now he doubles down on it.

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Speaking to ESPN Deportes, Topuria had labeled this as one of his easy fights, despite not seeing any holes in the competition. Now he enlists himself as the reason for it. Unlike others, he says he has a solid strategy, notwithstanding grapples and punches. And he resolves to use it to the fullest.

Alexander Volkanovski says he’s out to humble cocky and confident Ilia Topuria

For the first time in more than two years and the ninth time in its history, the Octagon returns to Anaheim, Calif. on Saturday. UFC 298 takes shape at the Honda Center with a main card on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+. Featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski and title challenger Ilia Topuria star as the headlining attractions.

Alexander Volkanovski is out to humble UFC 298's cocky title challenger
Alexander Volkanovski is out to humble UFC 298’s cocky title challenger (Source: Twitter/UFC.go.com)

Ahead of this, Topuria appeared in a sitdown with MMA coverage commentator Jon Anik. Similarly, Volkanovski appeared with ESPN MMA‘s Megan Olivi in an interview of his own. Here’s what he had to answer on how he weighs Topuria’s confidence:

Look man, it’s good on him…in a sense that you have to be confident…you gotta back yourself…the only thing is we’ll see how ‘confident’ he is when he stands up to what I plan on doing…you might see a bit of change in his tone after that…he hasn’t had someone to do that to him yet…but, that’s why I believe he’ll be getting taught a lesson, maybe a bit of humbling. Maybe he’s a good kid, but he’s definitely confident, ‘cocky’, I would say…

Alexander Volkanovski said
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In the lead-up, Volkanovski had vowed to make a statement by dominating the cocky title challenger Topuria. He had mentioned rectifying the ‘0’ on his undefeated stat; which he does yet again. This had garnered much heat from the Spaniard himself. While he recognizes that a challenger has to by default remain confident and back himself up, he thinks Topuria’s label of being ‘cocky’ is rightfully earned and he’d change that tone.

The likes of Sean O’Malley, Yair Rodriguez, and others had commented on this brashness as well. Even veteran Daniel Cormier had hinted at a Conor McGregor-esque aura from the challenger.

Come this Saturday, it will be proven once and for all if Topuria can live up to his hype.

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