UFC Video: Alex Volkanovski Issues Shrewd Warning To Ilia Topuria

Volkanovski has some strong words for Ilia Topuria ahead of UFC 298.

Alex Volkanovski has given Ilia Topuria a heads up ahead of their UFC 298 title fight.

It'll be Volkanovski, the reigning UFC featherweight champion, putting his gold at stake against Topuria inside the Honda Center in Anaheim, California on February 17, 2024. Volkanovski has been stellar at 145 pounds with four successful title defenses. Having said that, he is coming off a brutal head kick KO loss to UFC lightweight titleholder Islam Makhachev back in October.

Topuria is a rising undefeated star, who is in for the biggest fight of his pro MMA career. It's very much sink or swim for Topuria, who hasn't been afraid to talk some trash to Volkanovski in the spirit of competition.

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During an interview with UFC News, Alex Volkanovski said that he feels Ilia Topuria thinks he's accomplished more than he actually has.

"I mean, he's doing great things," Volkanovski said. "I don't think he's done as good as he thinks he's done, but I mean time will tell. I think I'm gonna be giving a bit of an awakening, a bit of humbling February. But again, he's a good, strong, durable guy. He's young and hungry, but that's my thing. I think I'm more hungrier than these guys trying to chase that belt."

Volkanovski then admitted that having a little bit of a boastful edge as a fighter isn't a bad thing as long as you don't fall for your own hype. He feels Topuria might be setting himself up for failure.

"I've used the word 'delusional' in a sense where obviously he's pretty cocky," Volkanovski said. "There's nothing wrong with being cocky and some would say delusional. It's okay as long as you're putting the work in. So, maybe he is putting the work in, we don't know. Maybe he is preparing for the worst. If he's preparing to just go out there and do what he's always done and it's gonna work against myself, then he's delusional and it's gonna be a big negative for him. It's not gonna work out well for him."

Here's the video clip of Alex Volkanovski discussing his UFC 298 championship showdown with Ilia Topuria:

"I think I am going to be giving him a bit of humbling, awakening in February."

Champion Alexander Volkanovski (@alexvolkanovski) is ready to prove why he is the king of the division against Ilia Topuria at #UFC298

UFC 298 tickets on sale now ➡️ https://t.co/Zdv92gc3D8

— UFC News (@UFCNews) December 28, 2023

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