UFC 298: Ilia Topuria 'Setting Himself Up' For Conor McGregor 'Type Of Ascent'

A former UFC Champion could see history repeating itself at featherweight.

Confidence or arrogance?

Daniel Cormier says Ilia Topuria has a bit of both heading into his first world title fight at UFC 298. There, 'El Matador' will attempt to slay long-reigning UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski in the main event. 

Topuria, 27, is talking a big game ahead of his fight in Anaheim. So much so, that he has already put 'UFC Featherweight Champion' in his social media bios. 

The upcoming title challenger even plans on releasing his own film titled, 'Road To The Belt' after fighting Volkanovski.

Ilia Topuria Makes Bold Statement On UFC Champion Alexander Volkanovski

Cormier reacts to Topuria putting all this weight on his shoulders and how it could all pay off for him, similar to how UFC superstar Conor McGregor reached never-before-seen heights after dethroning Jose Aldo at UFC 194.

"Most people under these circumstances want to release the pressure, not this dude," Cormier said of Topuria on his YouTube channel. "From his girlfriend to his words to his team. This reminds me of Conor [McGregor] about to fight Jose Aldo.

"[McGregor] told you and he was so sure that he was gonna get it done, that you knew that if it happened, he would become a star that we had never seen in the in the UFC before or in fighting. So when it happened, he went to the moon. 

"I feel like Ilia Topuria is setting himself up to have that type of ascent if he can deliver on all the promises that he is making.

DC doesn't just sees shades of McGregor in Topuria. Before he was ever UFC Champion, Cormier was in the shoes of an up-and-coming title contender going against an all-time great.

"I remember being Ilia Topuria," Cormier continued. "As a young undefeated fighter, I wasn't young as he is, young in the game, but an undefeated fighter going up against fighting, one of the greatest champions of all time. And I swear it, maybe I didn't say it publicly. I felt the same way. I felt that there was no way that [Jon] Jones could compete with me."

"Why? Because all I had seen inside the octagon is dominance. I had not lost a round. I had not lost to anyone. People really couldn't compete with me. I was just dominating dude. So, I figured the same thing would happen when I went in there with Jon Jones and it didn't."

Just like Jones, Volkanovski isn't an easy challenge to take on... especially at his undefeated home of 145 lbs.

"Ilia Topuria, for his part, though, has had adversity a little bit. Not much, but he's had to deal with some things. But what happens to Ilia when Alexander Volkanovski comes on? When Alexander Volkanovski starts to become Alexander Volkanovski, the guy that we all know. 

"The guy that blanked Max Holloway in the 3rd fight. The guy that made 'The Korean Zombie' look like he didn't belong in the octagon with him. The guy that made Yair Rodriguez fall over after putting so much damage and discourage him to the point that Yair realized, I can't beat this man. What happens then? 

"What happens to that young Spaniard? The guy with all the arrogance and the confidence. That is what makes a great fight because there are so many questions that surround it."

UFC 298: Alex Volkanovski Sends Blunt Message To Ilia Topuria: "He Ain't Taking Nothing From Me"

Daniel Cormier believes superstardom awaits Topuria with a potential upset over 'The Great' Volkanovski.

"If this dude can do what he's saying he's going to do. Is going to be a star in a country that loves to support.

"He would have that country behind him, and they would come in droves. I have watched soccer matches or football games, and I see how they support them. Imagine one of their own. Spain is 7 times the size of [McGregor's home country of] Ireland, and they will support."

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