Featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski laughs off Ilia Topuria’s attempts to provoke him at UFC 298 press conference
In a display of confidence and lightheartedness, Alexander Volkanovski, the reigning featherweight champion, brushed off Ilia Topuria’s attempts to provoke him at the UFC 298 pre-fight press conference. Despite Topuria’s relentless trash talk, Volkanovski remained unfazed, even going as far as dressing up like his grandfather to poke fun at the narrative that age is catching up to him.
Volkanovski made his entrance onto the stage in Anaheim, Calif., dressed in a cardigan, bifocal glasses with a chain hanging from them, and a newsboy cap. The crowd couldn’t help but chuckle at his playful attire, which he explained was his way of having fun after weeks of questions about his validity as a champion at the age of 35.
“Just having a bit of fun with it,” Volkanovski said with a smile. “You’ve got to do it, for the people as well. Everyone appreciated the outfit, so I wanted to do it in person.”
While Volkanovski was all about having a good time, Ilia Topuria was focused solely on business. Ignoring the crowd’s boos, Topuria directed his attention towards Volkanovski Sr., mocking his appearance and insinuating that he was past his prime.
“Shut the f*** up! Shut up,” Topuria shouted. “You see how you can dress? You already know what’s going to happen. You just came ready for your retirement. Look how you look as an old man.”
Despite Topuria’s relentless verbal assault, Volkanovski refused to engage in the trash talk. Even when Topuria leaned over the table and snatched the UFC belt sitting in front of him, Volkanovski remained calm. It was only when Topuria challenged him to take action that Volkanovski finally stood up.
“Stand up and do something,” Topuria taunted. “Humble me. I’m right here in front of you. Do something.”
The belt was eventually returned to Volkanovski, but he didn’t let the incident affect him. Instead, he delivered a message to Topuria, warning him that he would teach him a lesson in their upcoming fight.
“You might as well take advantage of it now,” Volkanovski said. “You’re never going to see it again. Not until I teach you a lesson. Maybe one day you can be a great champion. I’m going to kick your ass first, you’ll learn your lesson, and maybe you can bounce back after that. Until then, get your hands off my belt.”
Interestingly, Topuria’s act of stealing the title belt mirrored Conor McGregor’s infamous move when he faced Jose Aldo for the UFC featherweight title. Aldo reacted angrily, attempting to confront McGregor. However, Volkanovski didn’t react in the same way. Instead, he continued to laugh off the situation, even pretending to fall asleep while Topuria was talking.
“Conor McGregor wannabe, huh? How about this bloke?” Volkanovski quipped. “I think this old man needs to teach this young fella a lesson.”
Despite the tension between them, Volkanovski and Topuria managed to face off on stage without any further incidents. They even shared a handshake before parting ways, signaling that the talking was nearly over. Now, Volkanovski is focused on defending his featherweight title for the sixth consecutive time, inching closer to tying Jose Aldo’s all-time record at 145 pounds.
As the anticipation builds for UFC 298, fans are eager to witness the clash between these two fighters. Will Volkanovski’s experience and skill prevail, or will Topuria prove to be a formidable opponent? Only time will tell, but one thing is for certain – this fight is not to be missed.