Former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion Ilia Topuria has shared his reasons for not wanting a rematch against Alexander Volkanovski. Topuria secured the featherweight title by knocking out Volkanovski at UFC 298 in February 2024, but despite his victory, the Georgian fighter says he has no desire to face Volkanovski again.
In an interview with ABC, Topuria expressed deep respect and fondness for Volkanovski, explaining that his admiration makes it difficult for him to fight the Australian again. “I have so much affection and respect for him that I couldn’t hit him. I like him too much. There are already things I don’t want to do. What for? It would be a very competitive fight, even though I beat him once. For me, he’s the best featherweight that has ever existed, the most dominant. I was the champion, and I’ve done things that nobody else has done, but I left the division. He’s done much more at that weight than I have. It’s been many years,” Topuria said (via Bloody Elbow).
While a rematch with Volkanovski is off the table, Topuria is now aiming for a fight against Paddy Pimblett. This matchup makes sense given their current standings in the UFC lightweight division. With lightweight champion Justin Gaethje likely to face either Volkanovski or Arman Tsarukyan in his next title defense — or potentially retire — Topuria and Pimblett remain available for a showdown. This intriguing bout would feature two of the division’s top contenders, with the winner possibly earning a shot at the 155-pound title.
The UFC’s plans for these elite lightweights remain uncertain, but one thing is clear: Topuria respects Volkanovski too much to risk hurting him again, despite already having done so in their previous encounter.
Fan Take: This development is significant for fight enthusiasts because it highlights the rare sportsmanship and mutual respect between top fighters, which adds depth to their rivalry. Additionally, a matchup between Topuria and Pimblett could shake up the lightweight division, creating exciting new narratives and raising the stakes for the next title contender.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
