Ilia Topuria is making a bold prediction ahead of his first UFC championship fight, envisioning not only dethroning featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 but also finishing him in the first round. Despite Volkanovski's undefeated record at 145 pounds over his 10-year MMA career, Topuria (14-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) is confident in his ability to secure a knockout victory on February 17.
In an interview with UFC Español, Topuria expressed his belief in finishing Volkanovski early in the fight. He stated, “I see myself finishing him in the first round – knockout. It’s most likely going to be a knockout unless he dives for my legs. I’m going to put his lights out.”
Topuria believes that Volkanovski's time at the top has come to an end, especially at the age of 35. He considers himself part of the new generation of MMA, bringing an evolved and more complete style to all aspects of the sport. Topuria sees himself as a superior finisher compared to Volkanovski, emphasizing, “The experience is on his side, but the young blood is on my side. This is my moment. God’s timing is perfect, and He’s prepared me for this moment. There won’t be any failure.”
With the championship fight less than two weeks away, Topuria is satisfied with the preparation for the most significant bout of his career. Reflecting on his camp, he noted, “I’m not going to say it’s been the toughest camp because every camp we do is always hard, but I will say it’s been the most professional camp I’ve ever done. We’ve done a deep analysis on my opponent, and we’re prepared for the fight.”
