- Topuria indicates he will rematch Volkanovski
- Topuria knocked out Max Holloway at UFC 308
- Rob Whittaker was submitted in the co-main event
UFC superstar Ilia Topuria has stated he will rematch former featherweight kingpin Alex Volkanovski following his knockout defeat of Max Holloway in the UFC 308 main event.
Ilia Topuria defended his UFC featherweight crown with a stunning third-round knockout win over a game Max Holloway to close out UFC 308 in the United Arab Emirates.
The victory is Topuria’s first title defense since beating Alex Volkanovski to win the championship at UFC 298 and the champ indicated that he would be giving the Aussie a rematch next.
‘We’re going to do it again, you deserve that,’ he told Volkanovski, who stepped into the Octagon after the bout.
‘He defended his title I don’t know how may times, if someone deserves it, it’s him bro.
‘Lets do it bro.’
It was a stunning performance Topuria who found an opening with a big right hand in the third round that had Holloway reeling.
Topuria then rushed forward and landed a huge left hook on Holloway that crumpled him to the canvas, and followed up with hammer fists.
Ilia Topuria says he will rematch former featherweight kingpin Alex Volkanovski
Ilia Topuria defeated Max Holloway with a vicious knockout to defend his UFC title and cap off the UFC 308 main event
‘I don’t know what to say to be honest,’ Topuria said afterwards.
‘To beat a legend like Max Holloway, it’s something that I can’t even believe. He inspired me so much in my career. He’s been a great example for the new generation.
‘I’ve always said now that I represent the new generation. I hope I’m going to be a small portion of the example for what he’s been for me, for the new generation.
‘All the credit to Max Holloway. He’s the man.’
Holloway didn’t make any excuses for his performance.
‘We got ready for everything,’ he explained.
‘He landed the shot and I guess it hurt much more than I thought. I felt great.
‘That’s the sport. No excuses. I had a great camp, no injuries. He was a better man tonight.
It was Topuria’s first title defense since beating Alex Volkanovski to win the championship at UFC 298
Topuria said he will rematch the Aussie, who was the longtime featherweight king
Topuria told Volkanovski that he deserves the rematch
‘I’ll see you again, my friend.’
Earlier on the card, Aussie Rob Whittaker had his night ruined with a brutal beating from undefeated fighter Khamzat Chimaev.
Chimaev pinned the Aussie and choked him out during the first round, with Whittaker tapping quickly.
Whittaker gestured that he’d hurt his jaw in the process.
‘Some rumblings that it might be a dislocated jaw for Robert Whittaker,’ commentator Jon Anik said.
Ex-UFC champion Daniel Cormier said: ‘Robert’s pointing to his face. Holy cow. I think he messed up his jaw. That is amazing he did that do Rob Whittaker. Holy smokes.
‘He took down, controlled him the entire time and then just face cranked-crushed his jaw to the point, Anik added.
‘I hope it’s not dislocated because that’s never fun to deal with.’
