Alexander Volkanovski doesn’t see the UFC 317 main event lasting too long.
Ilia Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) takes on Charles Oliveira (35-10 MMA, 23-10 UFC) for the vacant lightweight title in Saturday’s main event (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+) at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Volkanovski’s first featherweight title reign came to an end when he was knocked out by Topuria at UFC 298. Topuria is the only fighter to defeat Volkanovski at 145 pounds.
Volkanovski (27-5 MMA, 14-4 UFC) has said on numerous occasions that the only way he ever sees himself losing is by getting caught, and Topuria was able to do that in the second round of their fight. However, Volkanovski also acknowledges the dangers that Oliveira, the UFC’s record holder for most finishes, brings.
“He’s just so aggressive,” Volkanovski told FOX Sports Australia on Oliveira. “He’s going to take a lot of risks, he’s in your face, he comes forward. Yeah, you can hit him, but something’s going to be coming at you, as well, and they’re always dangerous. Especially for me, the only way I’m losing is I’m getting caught. And you’ve got someone who’s one of the most dangerous grapplers and most dangerous strikers. He’s dangerous everywhere, so you’ve got to go in there and respect that.”
That being said, Volkanovski sees Topuria’s power being too much for Oliveira.
“I’m going to Ilia,” Volkanovski said. “I think Ilia’s going to get the win. I think Ilia can catch him. I reckon early knockout – early knockout for Ilia Topuria. … He doesn’t just come forward and just stand in your face. He has a lot of movement. You see him slipping and slipping and trying to find his way in.
“He’s coming in and you know he’s going to be dangerous. He’s trying to find his way in, whether it’s slipping shots or getting into a position where he’s nice spaced. He’s always spaced very well. He doesn’t get out of position and fall over his feet. He’s always got his feet under him, so now always the power to come with the big shots.”
With Topuria now moving up to lightweight, Volkanovski reclaimed his featherweight title by defeating Diego Lopes for the vacant belt at UFC 314 in April.
