The highly anticipated rematch between Ilia Topuria and Alexander Volkanovski is generating significant buzz in the MMA world. After Topuria's victory at UFC 298, fans are eager to know when and where these two featherweight titans will clash again.
In February 2024, Ilia Topuria knocked out Alexander Volkanovski, ending the Australian’s three-year reign as featherweight champion. The second-round stoppage came four months after Volkanovski suffered a KO by lightweight king Islam Makhachev, forcing “Alexander The Great” to take time away from the cage.
Georgian-Spaniard Topuria retained the belt with a KO of former champion Max Holloway in October. The expectation has long been that Volkanovski, 36, would make his return in a rematch with Topuria, 28.
Ilia Topuria knocked out Alexander Volkanovski to become featherweight champion (Getty Images)
Rising middleweight star Bo Nickal has claimed a rematch between Ilia Topuria and Alexander Volkanovski is “official” for UFC 314 in April.
#UFC308 Pelea Completa: Topuria vs Volkanovski
Read also: Record Ilia Topuria Sale
“It’s official,” Nickal said on his YouTube channel. “I know for a fact. I don’t know that it was announced for a fact, but I know it’s happening for a fact. I’m announcing it.”
“I might fight on that card. That’s the card I’m trying to fight on. April, Miami.” UFC 314 is due to take place at the Kaseya Center on 12 April. The world’s leading MMA promotion still hasn’t officially confirmed that UFC 314 will take place in Miami, but all signs seem to be pointing in that direction.
Nickal (7-0) is coming off a decision victory over Paul Craig at UFC 309. Topuria (16-0) captured the featherweight title by defeating Volkanovski (26-4) at UFC 298 in Anaheim, then defended the belt by stopping Max Holloway at UFC 308.
Volkanovski's Perspective
Volkanovski recorded five successful title defenses before dropping the 145lb gold to Topuria, the first-ever UFC champion of Georgian or Spanish heritage.
Considered by many to be the greatest featherweight in the history of the UFC, Volkanovski lost his title and suffered his first career lost at 145 lbs. when Topuria knocked him out in the second round of their meeting at UFC 298.
Read also: The Story of Ilia Topuria
Alexander Volkanovski leaves following the loss against Ilia Topuria during UFC 298 at Honda Center.
Topuria's Future Plans
Topuria’s wins over Volkanovski and Holloway kept him unbeaten, and he is already eyeing a shot at lightweight champion Makhachev - who twice retained the 155lb belt against Volkanovski in 2023, winning on points then scoring a KO in their rematch.
“Ilia and Islam would be sick,” Nickal said. “I don’t know about the Ilia and Volk rematch. I mean, I get it: Volk had to rematch Holloway a bunch of times.”
“[Topuria] knocked [Volkanovski] out clean - bad, bad. I love Volk, he’s great. I don’t see a path to victory for him really, [though].”
Nickal was referring to the fact that Volkanovski twice defended the featherweight belt against Holloway after dethroning the Hawaiian in 2019.
Read also: The Sound of Topuria's Entrance
UFC 298 Fight Card and Payouts
UFC 298: Volkanovski vs. Topuria took place at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
Reported Payouts (as released by the California State Athletic Commission):
- Ilia Topuria: $350,000 (no win bonus) def. Alexander Volkanovski
- Robert Whittaker: $400,000 (includes $100,000 win bonus) def. Paulo Costa
- Ian Machado Garry: $110,000 (includes $55,000 win bonus) def. Geoff Neal
- Merab Dvalishvili: $210,000 (includes $105,000 win bonus) def. Henry Cejudo
- Anthony Hernandez: $132,000 (includes $66,000 win bonus) def. Roman Kopylov
- Amanda Lemos: $160,000 (includes $80,000 win bonus) def. Mackenzie Dern
- Marcos Rogério de Lima: $200,000 (includes $100,000 win bonus) def. Junior Tafa
- Rinya Nakamura: $46,000 (includes $23,000 win bonus) def. Carlos Vera
- Zhang Mingyang: $20,000 (includes $10,000 win bonus) def. Brendson Ribeiro
- Danny Barlow: $20,000 (includes $10,000 win bonus) def. Yusaku Kinoshita
- Oban Elliott: $20,000 (includes $10,000 win bonus) def. Val Woodburn
- Miranda Maverick: $150,000 (includes $75,000 win bonus) def. Andrea Lee
UFC 298 Bonuses:
- Fight of the Night: Amanda Lemos vs. Mackenzie Dern
- Performance of the Night: Ilia Topuria
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