Alexander Volkanovski faced his first defeat as a featherweight against Ilia Topuria in the main event of UFC 298.
The highly anticipated showdown between the two fighters carried significant weight, reminiscent of the anticipation surrounding the Jose Aldo vs. Conor McGregor clash at UFC 194. Both competitors exuded confidence leading up to the bout.
In the opening round, ‘The Great’ showcased his skills and secured unanimous favor from the judges. However, near the fence, Topuria seized an opportunity, landing a devastating right hand that rendered the Australian unconscious.
At the post-event press conference, Volkanovski appeared composed, a notable departure from his demeanor following his previous knockout loss to Islam Makhachev. When asked about the contrasting emotions between the two defeats, Volkanovski remarked:
“[The KO loss to Makhachev] was a different experience altogether. This time around, I maintained a positive outlook throughout. Even now, I remain in good spirits. Topuria caught me off guard. It happens. I felt sharp in there, registering everything early on. But he landed a decisive blow. I felt comfortable in the first round, planning to escalate our strategy. Just as I was about to, he struck. That’s the nature of the sport.”
