Volkanovski Calls Out Topuria For Lightweight Rematch

Alexander Volkanovski wants a lightweight rematch with Ilia Topuria before retiring, the former featherweight champion revealed after his second-round finish of Movsar Evloev at UFC 333.

Volkanovski had initially targeted Justin Gaethje for a super fight where both legends would retire together. But with Gaethje's future uncertain, the Australian champion has turned his attention back to the Georgian who knocked him out at UFC 298. "I'd love to test myself against him," Volkanovski told reporters, per BJPenn.com. "Maybe I could fight [Topuria] and win, lose, or draw; I'd retire so I wouldn't hold the division up."

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Topuria Path To Lightweight Title

Topuria captured Volkanovski's featherweight belt with that knockout victory last year and defended it once, stopping Max Holloway at UFC 308. He then moved up to lightweight but dropped a decision to Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250 earlier this year. If Gaethje vacates the lightweight strap, Volkanovski believes a rematch with Topuria for the vacant title makes sense.

Volkanovski acknowledged the competitive dynamic between himself and Topuria. "Nothing against him. He's a great fighter, great dude, and we get along," he said. "But at the same time, I'm a competitor." The former champion insisted he would retire immediately after the bout to avoid holding up the lightweight division.

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Topuria has already signaled his intention to fight for the lightweight title in his next outing. Volkanovski's proposal could set up one of the UFC's biggest rematches if Gaethje decides to step away from competition.

Reported via:

• BJPenn — Alexander Volkanovski calls for lightweight rematch with Ilia Topuria to ‘test himself’ after UFC 333