Former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, who lost his title to Elijah Topuria ten days ago, admits that a knockout loss to Islam Makhachev, which he suffered less than three months earlier, may have been the reason for his poor performance.
“Even though the judges gave me the first round and I led in the second until I missed, I wasn’t myself in that fight and I know I could have performed much better – I shouldn’t have let myself get caught,” the Australian said in another video posted on his Youtube channel. “I don’t want it to look like an excuse, but maybe the defeat to Islam Makhachev really affected. It’s only been two months and I tend to agree that it was too short a break”
“I expect an immediate rematch, but I don’t want to rush it. I plan to rest, recover, and return to the octagon no earlier than the end of this year. If Elijah wants to be active, make a title defense before I return, so be it. I won’t object to that. I know for a fact that when we meet again, it will be a completely different fight. Mark my words – I will get that championship belt back! This time I won’t do it for my family, team or fans – I’ll do it for me!”
Elijah Topuria has previously stated that he plans to return to the octagon in October or November, and still expects to make his title defense at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid. The arena’s management has also confirmed that it is ready to host the debut Spanish event of the world’s strongest league this fall.
Recall that the title fight between Volkanovski and Topuria, February 17 headlined the UFC 298 event in Anaheim, ended in the second round with a knockout loss for the Australian.
Source: https://fighttime.ru/news/item/34045-volkanovski-vinit-boj-s-makhachevym-v-porazhenii-ot-topurii.html?rand=19907
