UFC 298 Aftermath: Alexander Volkanovski Relives KO Loss to Ilia Topuria, Vows to Rebound

Volkanovski suffered his first career defeat at featherweight.

Alexander Volkanovski is taking his latest loss in stride. 

For the first time in four years, 'The Great' does not hold UFC gold. Volkanovski would lose his title over the weekend when he met undefeated challenger Ilia Topuria at UFC 298.

After winning the first round, Volkanovski fell to Topuria's punches in the second, where he was knocked out cold against the cage. Topuria had dethroned the longest-reigning champion from the current divisions.

UFC 298 Results & Highlights: Ilia Topuria Sleeps Alexander Volkanovski

While undefeated at featherweight up to last Saturday, 'The Great' isn't a total stranger to losing. Volkanovski reflected on his loss to Topuria, which came months after his short-notice setback to Islam Makhachev in October 2023: 

"You can't win 'em all, you know?" Volkanovski said on his YouTube channel. "Sometimes you're the hammer, sometimes you're the nail. Last night I was a nail. I've been the hammer many times. I've ruined a lot of people's body many times. Last night, Ilia got the job done.

"I thought I was doing great. I felt great in there. I think the judges had me at the first round and I think I was starting to pick it up even more in the second. I was ready to even go another level, had him missing. 

"I started to touch him and then I was gonna start adding on. And he did a great job of getting me to the cage where we knew we didn't want to be with someone like him. 

"He got me there and I probably had better options than looking for a counter after he backed me up there, he caught me. So, he did a great job to find that, a great shot and that's all you need in this sport."

Volkanovski, 35, has never been one to shy away from a rematch, just ask Max Holloway who he fought three times. The now-former champion would like nothing more than to rematch his European foe. 

The argument for an immediate rematch is there, especially since Volkanovski successfully defended the title a total of five times. 

"Next time it'll be different," Volkanovski said of a potential rematch with Topuria. "I'm just gonna have a little bit of a rest. I definitely want that rematch. Spain's what I'm hearing is gonna happen. Dana wants Spain. Obviously Ilia wants Spain. That probably won't be till later in the year."

"So obviously the timing will be perfect for me to spend time with the fam, rest up a little bit, look after myself. And then, we'll get back in there and we'll make it right. We'll make it right on my end. So, I'm going to do everything right for the next one. And I'm gonna get that belt back, mark my words. But again, I appreciate the support. You guys are awesome. All I can say is I'll be back."

Ilia Topuria isn't too sold on a rematch with Alexander Volkanovski, but the newly crowned champion is content with making UFC Spain a reality. Should that unprecedented event come to fruition, we'll see if the accomplished Volkanovski stands across from 'El Matador' a second time.

UFC 298 Post-Fight Presser: Ilia Topuria vs. Alexander Volkanovski (VIDEO)

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