Alexander Volkanovski doubts Ilia Topuria has as a lot pull as he claims to have.
The reigning featherweight champion lately tweeted that his first title protection is booked, suggesting that the UFC matchmakers “pressured” Max Holloway to simply accept a combat date.
Plainly the UFC has pressured him to say sure. El Matador is again. Congratulations to all @ufc followers.
— Ilia Topuria (@Topuriailia) July 24, 2024
The remark is a continuation of a latest confrontation between Topuria and Holloway, through which Topuria claimed that his combat with Holloway had been delayed because of points on the challenger’s facet. Holloway responded, saying that he’s open to combat Topuria at UFC 306 at Sphere in Las Vegas on Sept. 14.
Volkanovski weighed in on the drama in an interview with MMA Preventing’s José Youngs.
“Let’s be actual, you’re not forcing Max to combat,” Volkanovski stated. “I feel it’s frequent information that Max needs to combat him and I feel he wished to combat him sooner quite than later. There’s holdups. I’m fairly positive there’s holdups, and I don’t suppose it’s on Max-I’m not making an attempt to choose sides, I’m simply stating information. I’ve bought nothing towards Ilia, however you’re not forcing Max on this one. Let’s be actual.”
Topuria’s subsequent combat, whether or not its towards Holloway or another person, remains to be to be formally introduced.
Volkanovski dropped his featherweight title to Topuria after being knocked out within the second spherical of their UFC 298 most important occasion contest. It was the primary loss ever for Volkanovski competing at 145 kilos, and the win elevated Topuria to a different degree of stardom. Nonetheless, he has but to compete because the February contest, and Volkanovski wonders if his conduct in interviews and on social media is having a damaging impact on his picture.
“The way in which [Topuria] approaches some issues, I discover it fairly humorous,” Volkanovski stated. “Not humorous, like, ‘I’m going to play the dangerous man’ and try this and play the sport. With luck, taking part in that, after which you find yourself getting a knockout of me, it labored out excellent for him, that was nice. I really feel like he bought everybody on board, now you simply play your playing cards proper.
“I simply don’t really feel like he’s taking part in his playing cards proper proper now. He’s beginning to lose a little bit of the followers that may have jumped on. Or perhaps this can be a massive grasp plan of his to stir it up much more, perhaps attempt to get in Max’s head, I don’t know what it’s. However you didn’t drive Max, we kind of know this.”
Volkanovski can be but to combat since shedding to Topuria. He has beforehand stated that his plan is to attend for an opportunity to regain the featherweight belt, which he efficiently defended 5 consecutive instances. He additionally holds an ideal 3-0 report in championship fights towards Holloway.
Ought to Topuria vs. Holloway be formally booked, it feels like Volkanovski nonetheless plans to attend for his flip.
“I wished them to combat earlier so I can combat sooner,” Volkanovski stated.
