Alexander Volkanovski (image via UFC/YouTube)

By FCF Staff

Not everyone is convinced that Ilia Topuria will be fighting for the UFC’s featherweight crown in his next bout. But, the current champ, Alexander Volkanovski, believes the promotion should tap the rising contender for a title shot.

Topuria recently dominated Josh Emmett at UFC Jacksonville and recorded a unanimous decision win. The victory was the fighter’s sixth straight with the promotion, and afterward, Topuria called for a title shot.

Since Topuria has only recently, moved into the top five of the UFC’s featherweight ranks (at #5), some have questioned whether he should fight for the belt next. But, ahead of Volkanovski’s July 8th fight with Yair Rodriguez, the champ told Daniel Cormier and Ryan Clark he hopes the UFC’s gives Topuria a title shot (quotes via MMA Junkie).

“I’m hearing a lot of people mentioning other guys, Ilia fighting other guys – I’m like, ‘No,’” Volkanovski said. “Don’t do it. Just give me a guy. Give me a contender. To be honest, I’m not going to say too much. I think he’s a good fighter. But the more I speak, the less I’m going to hype up the fight. I think he’s great.”

With the win over Emmett, the 26-year-old Topuria moved his overall record to 14-0.

“I think it’s a great fight and that would work well on some people, but won’t work well on others,” Volkanovski said. “I want (new) guys. I want to be active. I was at a stage where I was like, ‘Give me the No. 1 guy.’ We’ve sort of cleared them. Everyone’s raving on about this guy. I’ve got Yair to worry about. I’ll worry about that first, because I see him as a much bigger threat than Ilia. I’ll make sure I go out there and do my business, and if that’s on the cards – again, I want to be active.

Volkanovski (25-2), meanwhile, is coming off a decision loss to lightweight champion Islam Makhachev in February. In his last title defense, last July, Volkanovski defeated Max Holloway for the third time via decision.

Volkanovski vs. Rodriguez will headline UFC 290, which will take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.