In the upcoming UFC 298 main event on February 17, Alexander Volkanovski will defend his featherweight title against Ilia Topuria. Despite coming off a knockout loss to lightweight champion Islam Makhachev in October, Max Holloway views Volkanovski as a safe bet over Topuria.
Having lost to Volkanovski three times in title fights, Holloway finds it difficult to pick against the champion. Holloway believes that as long as Volkanovski has a healthy and great training camp, without getting hurt during the preparations, it’s hard to bet against him. However, Holloway acknowledges that in MMA, anything can happen, especially considering Topuria’s youth and the fact that many people are counting Volkanovski out due to his last fight.
Topuria, on the other hand, is oozing confidence ahead of his first shot at gold. The unbeaten rising star has even updated his social media biography to UFC champion, which Holloway sees as a reflection of the kind of confidence needed to achieve greatness in the sport. Holloway emphasizes that having such confidence is crucial in a world championship fight and is a testament to the hard work and determination required to reach that level.
At the end of the day, Holloway respects the confidence that Topuria displays, whether it’s on social media or behind closed doors. He understands that everyone has their own way of expressing confidence and acknowledges that it takes different forms for different individuals. Holloway concludes that if that level of confidence is what it takes to succeed in a world championship fight, then it is what it is.
As UFC 298 approaches, the matchup between Volkanovski and Topuria promises to be an intriguing battle between a proven champion and an up-and-coming talent. The fight will test the mettle of both fighters and determine who will emerge victorious in this highly anticipated title fight.
You may also like this article