UFC 298 News: Alexander Volkanovski Unveils Prediction for Ilia Topuria Fight

Volkanovski vows to give Topuria his first career 'ass beating'.

Alexander Volkanovski doesn't see his next fight going the distance or even the championship rounds. 

The UFC Featherweight Champion is back at 145lbs after failing in his attempt to capture lightweight gold vs. Islam Makhachev last October. Volkanovski's upcoming title defense comes against the highly-touted Ilia Topuria in the UFC 298 headliner this Saturday.

The undefeated challenger has been very vocal on how he beats Volkanovski and his sky-high confidence has even drawn comparisons to UFC superstar Conor McGregor.

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

Volkanovski won't buy into all the hoopla though as 'The Great' wants to shut up Topuria for good. 

"I got a young, hungry, undefeated guy that's got hype already," Volkanovski said on his YouTube channel. "Yeah, he likes to talk so it's easy to get motivated for this, right? I don't need to do nothing to hype up this fight. Let him do the talking and I'll do the walking. 

"So, I'm gonna go do work, humble him and show the world again. Remind them and let him know that he's still got a ways to go to til he's up the top. I'm gonna show him February 17th."

Ilia Topuria Makes Bold Statement On UFC Champion Alexander Volkanovski

As for how the fight will play out in Anaheim, Volkanovski, who is just as confident as Topuria, names the round he'll finish 'El Matador' in. 

"Prediction is, I teach him a good lesson. He's gonna be embarrassed. He's gonna eat some of his words and it's gonna be maybe the start of his journey. And again, he's young, he is confident. I'll humble him. He'll bounce back at the start after I get him a good ass beating.

"Round two, I think," Volkanovski said regarding when he'll stop Topuria. "I think I crumble him in the first.  I'm not saying that, that he's gonna be easy fight. But I think just out how confident he is, he hasn't been able to prove that. I prove that every time I step in this gym, I push myself to the limits. I don't know if he does. He doesn't act like it.

"So, I'm gonna push him... I get the finish soon after that."

Ilia Topuria has never been stopped in his perfect 14-fight career. Alexander Volkanovski aims to change that very feat with a win at UFC 298. 

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