Alexander Volkanovski Plans to “Let The Head Rest”, But Still Focused on Ilia Topuria Rematch
Alexander Volkanovski (left)(image via YouTube / UFC)
By Kelsey Mowatt
After suffering back-to-back, knockout defeats, Alexander Volkanovski understands he needs to take a break from fighting. But, the renowned featherweight is still driving hard for a rematch with the new champ, Ilia Topuria.
Volkanovski was KO’d by the rising star in the second round of their bout earlier this month, which took place at UFC 298. The defeat followed Volkanovski’s first-round, knockout loss to lightweight champ, Islam Makhachev in October.
Immediately after the Australian fighter’s loss to Topuria, he called for an immediate rematch, citing his lengthy run as champ. While Volkanovski (26-4) is still adamant he’s going to throw hands with Topuria again, the former champ is reporting he needs some time to rest.
The 35-year-old recently confirmed he won’t be fighting in the near future via his YouTube channel (quotes via MMA Fighting.com).
“I’m gonna let the head rest so the training’s gonna be clever, especially for a couple of months,” Volkanovski said on his YouTube channel. “It’s good. That’s what I’ve been able to do this week. I’ve felt great.
“Depending on what Ilia does, if he was to want to be very active and fight soon, which would mean my rematch would be rushed, alright, I’m happy to be like, ‘If you’re gonna be that active, I’m gonna have to wait.’ I know my next fight is definitely gonna be for the title and the rematch but if he was to go somewhere else because he’d want to be active, which I would be more than okay with.”
Following UFC 298, UFC President Dana White expressed an interest in holding an event in Spain, where Topuria resides. It’s not clear at this juncture, however, if the promotion will wait for Volkanovski, so they can proceed with a rematch. Or, if they opt to book Topuria for another fight in the interim.
The 27-year-old Topuria (15-0) competed just once in 2023 and recorded a unanimous decision win over Josh Emmett in June. In 2022, Topuria competed twice and scored wins over Jai Herbert and Bryce Mitchell.
