Ilia Topuria identifies where he’s ‘going to make a difference’ vs. Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298

Ilia Topuria identifies where he’s ‘going to make a difference’ vs. Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298

Ilia Topuria sees his ground game posing problems for UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski.

Topuria (14-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) challenges Volkanovski (26-3 MMA, 13-2 UFC) for the 145-pound title in the UFC 298 headliner on Feb. 17.

Topuria started his career with seven consecutive submission wins but has relied more on his striking in recent octagon bouts. But against Volkanovski, he sees the ground as his path to victory.

“That’s where I really think I have the advantage with him because he’s a good striker, but he’s not a natural wrestler. or he’s not good on the ground,” Topuria said on the Overdogs Podcast. “That’s where I’m going to make a difference.”

Volkanovski will make less than a four-month turnaround after suffering a first-round knockout to lightweight champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 294. However, Topuria isn’t putting too much stock into that.

“For me, what happened in his last fight doesn’t change anything,” Topuria said. “I know the result will be the same, training is the same, the focus is the same. I’m going to train for the best in the world, and I’m pretty sure I’m going to get that win.”

Undefeated Topuria actually thinks the knockout loss takes the weight off Volkanovski’s shoulders.

“He has really nothing to lose. He already lost,” Topuria said through an interpreter. “He already knows how that feels, I don’t know how that feels, and I better never taste how that’s going to feel.”

If victorious, Topuria has already mapped out a plan where he makes his first title defense against another featherweight great.

“So, that’s what I think is going to happen that I’m going to beat Volk on Feb. 17 and then I’m going to fight Max Holloway here in Spain,” Topuria said. “That’s my goal right now, and I think it’s going to happen.”