Former UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski has spoken out for the first time about his defeat to Ilia Topuria at the main event of UFC 298 in Anaheim, USA.
On February 18, Topuria claimed victory over Volkanovski with a knockout in the second round, becoming the new division champion.
Volkanovski said on his YouTube channel:
But next time it will be different, but I’m just going to have a little bit of a rest. I definitely want that rematch. Dana wants Spain obviously, I want Spain, that probably won’t be too later in the year. So obviously, the timing will be perfect for me to you know, spend time with the fam, rest up a little bit, look after myself and then we’ll get back in there and uh we’ll make it right. We’ll make it right on my end so I’m going to do everything right for the next one and I’m going to get that belt back! Mark my words!
The 35-year-old Volkanovski's previous fight was in October 2023 at UFC 294, where he lost to Islam Makhachev with a knockout in the first round. He has 26 wins and four losses in his record.
The 26-year-old Topuria last stepped into the octagon in June 2023 at UFC on ABC 5, where he defeated Josh Emmett by unanimous decision. He has 15 wins and no losses to his name.