Ilia Topuria is setting his sights high for 2024. He’s got big plans.
He’s stepping into the ring with Alexander Volkanovski. They’re fighting for the Ultimate Fighting Championship featherweight title. It’s all going down at UFC 298 on Feb. 17 in Anaheim, California.
“El Matador” is brimming with confidence. The odds are tight, but Topuria’s betting on himself to knock out Volkanovski in the first round.
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“It’s gonna be a first-round knockout,” Topuria promises. He’s heard all the trash talk. “There are levels, then there’s me,” he says. He plans to dominate. “I’ll be dancing Feb. 17,” he declared on “The MMA Hour.”
Meanwhile, Volkanovski had a mixed bag last year. He defended his title but faced defeats in his quest for double-champ glory. Topuria thinks these losses signal it’s time for Volkanovski to hang up his gloves.
“You’re talking to the best,” Topuria asserts. He respects Volkanovski but feels it’s time for new blood. He’s ready to usher in the next generation of MMA.
After Volkanovski, Topuria wants Conor McGregor. He imagines a blockbuster fight in Spain. “Conor McGregor, that’s the fight I want,” he says. If McGregor wins his next bout, he might just get his wish.
Topuria isn’t keen on fighting Volkanovski’s previous opponents. “How? It doesn’t make sense,” he argues. He believes they should consider retirement.
Apart from McGregor, Topuria hasn’t named other potential opponents. However, he’s excited about the UFC debuting in Spain. He hopes for a match at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid.
“Of course, it’s gonna happen in 2024,” he says. The stadium, ready for big events, could host one of UFC’s largest ticket sales. “UFC Spain, that’s for sure,” Topuria concludes, full of anticipation.