While Ilia
Topuria is the latest in a long line of mixed martial artists
eyeing crossover boxing fights, “El Matador” is aiming for the very
best.
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Topuria is currently slated to challenge Alexander
Volkanovski for the featherweight title in the main event at
UFC 298 on Feb. 17. The undefeated Spanish prospect hopes to
keep his record intact and ideally go on to defend his throne
against former champ Max
Holloway in front of his home fans.
“So, that’s what I think is going to happen that I’m going to beat
‘Volk’ on Feb. 17, and then I’m going to fight Max
Holloway here in Spain. That’s my goal right now, and I think
it’s going to happen,” Topuria recently said in an appearance on
the OverDogs
Podcast.
While defeating arguably the two greatest featherweights of all
time would be no small feat, Topuria’s aspirations don’t stop
there. Once he has the credibility of a UFC title to make his case,
Topuria wants to fight Canelo Alvarez in the future. While he has a
lot of respect for Canelo, “El Matador” believes he can beat the
four-division world champion.
“I would love to fight one day with Canelo,” Topuria said. “I have
so, so much respect for him. But I wanna fight with him one day.
Once I win the belt and become a UFC world champion, I wanna go for
him. Because I really think I have a chance with him. I’ve been
following him forever. I believe I have the possibility to beat
him.”
Topuria’s most recent win came against Josh Emmett
via unanimous decision at UFC on ABC 5 in June in June, which was
only the second time he went the distance in his entire career.
Meanwhile, Volkanovski is coming off a Round 1 head-kick knockout
loss against lightweight champ Islam
Makhachev in a short-notice rematch at UFC 294 last month,
marking the Australian’s second failed bid at double-champ status.