By FCF Staff

Not everyone is convinced Ilia Topuria can be the same, championship-winning force at lightweight that he was at 145 pounds. But, Alex Volkanovski believes “El Matador” has the make-up of the type of fighter who could end Islam Makhachev’s reign.

Earlier this year, Topuria vacated the UFC’s featherweight title to pursue a run at lightweight. While it remains to be seen if and when the Spanish resident ends up facing Makhachev, the consensus is the UFC’s hoping to book the all-star match-up.

Recently, Volkanovski appeared on the “Believe You Me” podcast. While discussing the potential Topuria – Makhachev bout, the former featherweight champ reported he believes Topuria could pose a serious threat to the Dagestani champ (quotes via MMA Fighting.com).

“How do I think that fight’s going to go?” Volkanovski said. “I have fought both of them. Islam is going to be a hard man to beat, for anyone, I think the only chance of him losing is someone knocking him out. Like, someone landing something, that’s what I believe. I’ve always believed that about myself, the only way I would lose is someone catching me rather than actually beating me. The only person I believe that will give me that close fight is Islam and I feel the same for Islam with a lot of opposition. I think everyone has a puncher’s chance and I think that’s the only way I see him really losing, someone catching him.

“And if anyone can do it, it is Ilia. Ilia’s obviously got some dangerous hands, so for people to just count him out, you know he’s got power in his hands, you know he’s going to be looking for it. You know he’s composed and even if things aren’t going his way he’s going to keep looking for it, keep trying to find it until he does or until he loses. So you know he’s dangerous, maybe if the gas tank goes, we’ll see when he starts them later rounds with someone like Islam, but early on the first couple or first three rounds, he’s going to be dangerous. You don’t want to be getting caught by any of those punches, so if anyone can catch him, I think Ilia’s right up there for a chance.”

Volkanovski faced Topuria in February, 2024, and was knocked out in the second-round. That fight followed his KO loss to Makhachev in October, 2023.

In February, 2023, Volkanovski battled Makhachev for the first time and lost via unanimous decision. The Australian legend is preparing to fight Diego Lopes for the vacant featherweight title at UFC 314, April 12th.