At the age of 36, Volkanovski will have to cope with Ilia Topuria – the young talent of 27 has not lost any match and is desiring to win the championship from the 'The Great'. With the current challenges and pressure, many people think that this is the time when Volkanovski has the ability to lose the championship that he has successfully defended.
“Those public opinion only made me even more excited,” Volkanovski confidently declared in the UFC 298 media meeting. “Everyone knew that I shined the most brilliant moment like this. When all doubted my ability, it was a great motivation for me to prove myself.”
The UFC 298 event takes place on Sunday morning (Vietnam time) at Honda Center, Anaheim, Volkanovski will have a match with the opponent who has not lost any match – Ilia Topuria. This is a match that marks the determination of the Featherweight Volkanovski champion after a painful defeat against Makhachev, who holds the Lightweight Championship in October last year at UFC 294.
Entering the match at UFC 298, 'The Great' is facing many unprecedented doubts and doubts about the ability to protect the championship belt. However, this did not make him worried, but the motivation for the UFC champion once again to prove his value.
“Those doubts have no effect on me,” Volkanovski confidently declared. “If I don't fight and cause problems in October, these conversations will be completely different, believe me. You can say everything you want like 'He is the one who will beat me'. But the press conference after the game, everything will be completely different, I guarantee that.”
Volkanovski admitted that Topuria had excellent performances in his career. Although Topuria's obscene words when the first chance of fighting is a strange working style, 'The Great' also fully understands this. He even felt grateful for those words that helped build more appeal for the upcoming match.
“I was completely ready to face a desiring young talent like Topuria and experienced a memorable match,” said Volkanovski. “But don't be surprised if I make things look easy. I am not a pride, but if Topuria doesn't have the opportunity to hit me and I completely crushed him, don't be too shocked.”