Topuria promises a “work of art” against Volkanovski

Ilia Topuria is ready for the most important fight of her career.

The Georgia-born, Spain-based fighter officially began his camp for UFC 298 on December 1, although the road to the championship fight against Alexander Volkanovski at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, on February 17 began in the summer . . , when he had his first impromptu confrontation with the Australian champion.

Topuria (14-0), 26, had a rapid rise in the promotion. In just three years and six fights he became the challenger for a fight that was originally expected in January, although Volkanovski’s decision to be Charles Oliveira’s replacement at UFC 294 against Islam Makhachev in September delayed the plan somewhat.

“They have been intense weeks, of great joy because the fight was confirmed and we are preparing very hard. For us nothing changed, from the beginning we assumed that we would fight Volkanovski, because that was what we received from the United States, which was him, no matter what. “We thought it was going to be in January, that’s why we started a little earlier, but February gives us time to organize”

The undefeated fighter says he has studied Volkanovski (26-3) for weeks, including all available material on the No. 3 fighter in the UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings, and feels increasingly confident in his victory. .

“It is going to be a true work of art, hitting and not being hit, you will see a complete mixed martial arts fighter. Any gap I see opening I will respond, but the important thing is to be patient, not to wear myself out without a purpose. If the culmination has to come, it will come. “It’s going to be one of the easiest fights I’ve had to date,” he said.

Topuria anticipates that the Australian’s kicks will be a strong threat, but the resistance he normally shows can be neutralized.

“The only attacks I see are kicks to my leg. “Everyone does cardio when they’re not under pressure, when they’re walking forward all the time, but when you’re in a hurry, your fitness sometimes tends to let you down,” he said.

Topuria and his family arrived in the Valencian Community from Georgia in a migration caused by the social instability that has been present in recent decades. From the first moment they felt welcomed in Spain, and the gym of the Argentinians Agustín and Jorge Climent became the home of Ilia and Alexsandre, his older brother.

After doing a couple of camps in Florida before fighting in the UFC, Topuria decided to stay where he started it all for the biggest fight of his career.

“The plan is to do the camp in Alicante. I want to return to my origins, here I prepared for my first professional fight and here I want to prepare for the championship fight,” he explained.

As has been customary for most of his career, Alexsandre will simulate Ilia’s opponent in training as part of his preparation. He will also join UFC lightweight Guram Kutateladze to train in Spain until January 20, when they will travel to Las Vegas to make weight with the Performance Institute team in the weeks leading up to the championship fight.