Ilia Topuria answers Alexander Volkanovski’s rematch callout with surprising response

Released
November 6, 2026, 4:01 pm PST

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Credit: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Previous UFC light-weight champ Ilia Topuria responded to Alexander Volkanovski’s light-weight rematch callout following UFC 333.

UFC featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski might be on his method back as much as light-weight after beating Movsar Evloev at UFC 333. Volkanovski has actually consistently required an extremely battle with light-weight champ Justin Gaethje, ahead of Gaethje’s to-be-announced choice on his battling future.

If Gaethje chooses to eliminate one more time before hanging up the gloves, a match with Volkanovski might concern fulfillment. Volkanovski has actually likewise called for a rematch at 155 pounds with Ilia Topuria, who lost to Gaethje previously this year at UFC Freedom 250.

Because their UFC 298 featherweight title battle, Volkanovski and Topuria have actually exchanged compliments in the last few years. Volkanovski has a chip on his shoulder after Topuria handed him the only defeat of his featherweight profession.

news Ilia Topuria responds to Alexander Volkanovski’s 155 pound rematch callout

In a current interview with MMA reporter Alvaro ColmeneroTopuria reacted to Volkanovski’s rematch call.

“Honestly, I appreciate him a lot, and I’ve grown so keen on him that I could not strike him,”Topuria stated of Volkanovski.

“No, we can’t. There are things I simply do not wish to do. What for? It might be an extremely competitive battle. Even if I beat him does not imply he can’t beat me. Anything can occur. For me, he’s the very best featherweight in history, above everybody, “Topuria discussed. “The most dominant, the one who has actually invested the most time there. He’s the very best. I was the champ, however just quickly, and after that I left.

“Yes, I beat him. I beat Max Holloway. I did things no one else had actually done,” Topuria continued. “I knocked him out in a department where he ‘d never ever been knocked out … and I left. Looking at his record over all those years, he’s achieved much more than I have.”

While Volkanovski and Topuria’s professions will likely constantly be connected, it appears a prospective light-weight face-off with Topuria is off the table for the featherweight titleholder’s most current double-champ pursuit.

Who should Ilia Topuria battle in his UFC return? Share your ideas in the remarks!

This post appeared initially on BJPENN.COM