Alex Volkanovski News

Michael Bisping, Alexander Volkanovski
Michael Bisping

Michael Bisping downplays Alexander Volkanovski age concerns heading into UFC 298: "He's a special fighter"

Josh Evanoff - February 16, 2024

UFC commentator Michael Bisping doesn’t buy into talk of Alexander Volkanovski being old. ‘The Great’ is currently slated to return to the octagon this Saturday night at UFC 298. There, Alexander Volkanovski will return to featherweight for the first time since last summer, to face the rising Ilia Topuria. ‘El Matador’ last demolished Josh Emmett in June, handing him a lopsided unanimous decision loss.

UFC weigh-in scale
Ilia Topuria

UFC 298 Weigh-Ins: Fight Cancelled, Main Event Title Bout between Alexander Volkanovski & Ilia Topuria Official

Fernando Quiles - February 16, 2024

One fight on the UFC 298 card has been cancelled, but thankfully the championship main event between Alexander Volkanovski and Ilia Topuria is still on. Weigh-in day is always a stressful time for the fighters and fans. You never know who might have issues before, during, and after tipping the scale. In this case. a fight that had been scheduled for the ESPN portion of the UFC 298 prelims has been scrapped. The kicker is that an injury is to blame.

Ilia Topuria and Alexander Volkanovski
Ilia Topuria

WATCH | Ilia Topuria snatches Alexander Volkanovski belt during UFC 298 press conference

Cole Shelton - February 15, 2024

Ilia Topuria has continued the trend of touching and wearing the UFC title before he has won it. Topuria did his UFC 298 photo shoot with the belt on and now during the press conference, he snatched the belt from Volkanovski and put it in the air like he won it. That got a reaction from Volkanovski who told him to touch it all he wanted as it would be going back to Australia after Saturday night in Anaheim.

Ilia Topuria
Ilia Topuria

WATCH | Ilia Topuria poses with UFC belt as Alexander Volkanovski crashes photo shoot ahead of UFC 298

Cole Shelton - February 15, 2024

Ilia Topuria decided to have the UFC title wrapped around his waist before his title fight in the main event of UFC 298 against Alexander Volkanovski. Topuria has been oozing with confidence in the lead-up to his first crack at the UFC title on Saturday night. The Georgian-Spaniard has already crowned himself as the UFC champion in his Instagram bio, also claiming he’s 15-0, even though he’s only 14-0 heading into Saturday.

Alexander Volkanovski
UFC

Alexander Volkanovski "more than happy" to headline UFC 300: "I'll do it"

Josh Evanoff - February 14, 2024

Reigning featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski is down to fight at UFC 300 in April. ‘The Great’ is currently slated to return to the cage this Saturday night at UFC 298. Back for the first time since a knockout loss to Islam Makhachev in October, Alexander Volkanovski is back at featherweight. This time around, he will look to defend his gold against the rising undefeated phenom, Ilia Topuria.

Alexander Volkanovski and Ilia Topuria
Exclusive MMA Interviews

UFC 298 | Pro fighters make their picks for Alexander Volkanovski vs Ilia Topuria title fight

Cole Shelton - February 14, 2024

In the main event of UFC 298, the featherweight title is up for grabs as Alexander Volkanovski looks to defend his belt when he takes on Ilia Topuria. Heading into the fight Volkanovski is a slight -128 favorite while the challenger is a +100 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the title fight at UFC 298. Although Volkanovski is coming off the KO loss at lightweight, but despite the loss and the close odds, the pros are actually unanimous in thinking the Aussie remains the featherweight king on Saturday in Anaheim.

Alexander Volkanovski and Henry Cejudo
Henry Cejudo

Alexander Volkanovski calls Henry Cejudo a "piece of s**t" for removing his coach on UFC Countdown

Cole Shelton - February 13, 2024

UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski is not a fan of Henry Cejudo removing his coach Eric Albarracin from his corner on UFC Countdown. Cejudo has been with Albarracin before his UFC career but before ‘Triple C’s’ return fight against Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 298, the former flyweight and bantamweight champion removed his longtime coach from his corner.

Ilia Topuria, Alex Volkanovski, UFC 298, UFC
Ilia Topuria

Alex Volkanovski offers grim prediction for UFC 298 title fight against Ilia Topuria: "He’s going to be embarrassed"

Fernando Quiles - February 12, 2024

UFC featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski believes Ilia Topuria will have egg on his face once UFC 298 has concluded. Volkanovski is set to put his 145-pound gold at stake against Topuria inside the Honda Center in Anaheim, California this Saturday night. The featherweight championship clash will headline UFC 298. If “The Great” can emerge victorious, he’ll have secured his sixth successful UFC featherweight title defense, which would put him one shy of tying Jose Aldo’s 145-pound record.

Alex Volkanovski
Islam Makhachev

Alexander Volkanovski reveals drinking habits prior to Islam Makhachev rematch

Harry Kettle - February 7, 2024

UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski has revealed the nature of his drinking habits prior to his rematch against Islam Makhachev. At UFC 298, Alexander Volkanovski returns to defend his belt against rising star Ilia Topuria. It comes just months after his short notice rematch against Islam Makhachev, which he lost via brutal head kick KO.

Sean O'Malley
Ilia Topuria

Sean O'Malley plans to attend UFC 298 to set up champ-champ fight at The Sphere in September

Cole Shelton - February 6, 2024

Sean O’Malley has his eyes set on becoming a champ-champ. O’Malley is set to defend his bantamweight title for the first time in the main event of UFC 299 against Marlon Vera. Heading into the fight, ‘Suga’ has been oozing with confidence and believes he will KO Vera to defend his belt with ease.

Ilia Topuria
Ilia Topuria

Ilia Topuria shares bold first-round prediction for UFC 298 title fight with Alexander Volkanovski

Harry Kettle - February 5, 2024

Ilia Topuria has provided an official prediction for his upcoming title showdown with Alexander Volkanovski. At UFC 298, Ilia Topuria faces the biggest test of his career thus far. He will challenge Alexander Volkanovski for the UFC featherweight championship in what serves as his first crack at the gold. While Volkanovski is seen by many as the favorite, others are of the opinion that Topuria is the most well-rounded contender he’s ever faced.

Alexander Volkanovski
Georges St. Pierre

Georges St-Pierre explains why Alexander Volkanovski could still be “the best fighter” despite back-to-back losses to Islam Makhachev

Harry Kettle - February 1, 2024

Georges St-Pierre has given his thoughts on Alexander Volkanovski’s two defeats to Islam Makhachev. At UFC 298 later this month, Alexander Volkanovski will defend his UFC featherweight championship against Ilia Topuria. It will serve as a move back to 145 pounds after his second attempt at capturing the lightweight gold.

Henry Cejudo, Sean Strickland, UFC 296, UFC
Henry Cejudo

Henry Cejudo critical of Sean Strickland and Alex Volkanovski opening up about mental health: “Keep some of that sh*t to yourself”

Harry Kettle - January 9, 2024

Henry Cejudo has questioned Sean Strickland and Alexander Volkanovski for opening up on their mental health issues. It’s been, to put it lightly, a chaotic few months for Sean Strickland. From winning the UFC middleweight championship to getting in brawls at events, he’s as much of a wildcard as he’s ever been. Now, fans have seen another side of him after he got visibly emotional talking about his childhood trauma during an interview with Theo Von.

Josh Emmett Alex Volkanovski Ilia Topuria
Ilia Topuria

Josh Emmett reveals who he gives slight edge to for Alex Volkanovski vs. Ilia Topuria: "It’s hard for me to bet against ..."

Fernando Quiles - January 7, 2024

Josh Emmett doesn’t consider himself to be a modern day Nostradamus, but he does know who he’s leaning towards picking for the UFC 298 main event. Headlining that planned February 17 pay-per-view will be reigning UFC featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski. He’ll be putting his gold at stake against undefeated challenger Ilia Topuria. It’s a tough fight to call between a dominant champion, who is coming off a devastating KO loss to lightweight titleholder Islam Makhachev, and the rising Topuria. As it stands now, Volkanovski is the -155 betting favorite, while Topuria is a +130 underdog, per DraftKings Sportsbook.

Ilia Topuria
Ilia Topuria

Ilia Topuria is predicting a “masterpiece” against Alex Volkanovski at UFC 298: “It will be one of the easier fights of my career”

Harry Kettle - December 9, 2023

UFC contender Ilia Topuria has predicted a masterpiece of a performance ahead of his fight against Alexander Volkanovski. At UFC 298 in February, Ilia Topuria will challenge Alexander Volkanovski for the UFC featherweight championship. While some feel as if this is too quick, others expect him to put up a really good showing against the champion.

Alex Volkanovski
UFC

Alexander Volkanovski feels Ilia Topuria may have been "rushed" into UFC 298 title fight: "I just haven’t seen that elite stuff yet"

Fernando Quiles - December 7, 2023

UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski doesn’t exactly agree with others who say that Ilia Topuria is already on an elite level. Topuria will be in for the biggest fight of his pro MMA career when he takes on Volkanovski for the UFC Featherweight Championship at UFC 298 on February 17, 2024. Up to this point, Topuria has garnered a pro MMA record of 14-0. He’s coming off a unanimous decision victory over Josh Emmett, which earned him a “Fight of the Night” bonus.

Alexander Volkanovski
Ilia Topuria

Alexander Volkanovski vows to embarrass Ilia Topuria in UFC 298 return: "I am still that guy"

Josh Evanoff - December 5, 2023

UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski is out to prove a point against Ilia Topuria. ‘The Great’ has been out of the cage since a short-notice rematch with Islam Makhachev in October. There, Alexander Volkanovski suffered his second loss to the lightweight champion, this time by stoppage. Following the bout, he called for a fast turnaround against Ilia Topuria in January.

Ilia Topuria, Alex Volkanovski, UFC 298, UFC
UFC

Alexander Volkanovski provides positive update following first sparring session under concussion protocols

Harry Kettle - November 29, 2023

Alexander Volkanovski has provided an update following his first sparring session under concussion protocols. Back in October at UFC 294, Alexander Volkanovski took a short notice title showdown with Islam Makhachev. Following on from their first encounter, many felt as if Volkanovski had a real shot at dethroning Islam atop the lightweight division. Unfortunately for him, it wasn’t meant to be, with Makhachev securing a violent head kick knockout.