- Conor McGregor predicts a victory for Alex Volkanovski at UFC 298
- UFC icon says Australian will get hurt early, but will come back to win by KO
- Volkanovski to face Ilia Topuria for UFC featherweight title
UFC superstar Conor McGregor has predicted exactly how he sees Australian champion Alexander Volkanovski defeating Ilia Topuria at UFC 298.
The pair will meet in Anaheim, California, on Sunday (AEDT), with Volkanovski chasing a sixth title defense on his return to the 145lb division.
The Australian trails only Brazilian Jose Aldo (7) in all-time UFC featherweight title defenses, and McGregor is confident he will get the job done.
McGregor turned to X and said: ‘Tonight is an amazing night of UFC fights! (Ian) Garry will beat Geoff (Neal) in the first round.
‘Volk will get hurt early, but he will come back and knock out Ilia. More in 2 rounds. (Paulo) Costa and (Robert) Whittaker will have a good 3 round exchange as will Merab (Dvalishvili) and Henry (Cejudo).
Conor McGregor sees Alexander Volkanovski earning knockout victory against Ilia Topuria
Volkanovski pursues sixth title defense in return to 145-pound division
‘Have a good night everyone and remember that Proper Whiskey, Forged Irish Stout and McGregor call the shots, darling!’
UFC fighters 35 and older (in men’s divisions below middleweight) have a record of winning only two of 33 fights, so Volkanovski, 35, has history against him.
The Australian arrived at the official UFC 298 weigh-in dressed as an old man to play the “experienced” campaign line in a move that Topuria was not amused in the slightest.
When asked about the stunt, Volkanovski said: “Just having a little fun with it, you know what I mean? You have to do it. And for the town too! Everyone appreciated the set, so I wanted to do it in person “.
“I think this old man needs to teach this young man a lesson, what do you think?”
Topuria says, ‘You see how you came dressed, you know what’s going to happen. You came ready to retire, old man.
Volkanovski declared: “He’s going to get a good beating, that’s what’s going to happen.”
Topuria replied: ‘He said he would humiliate me. Get up and do something. Humiliate me!’
History is against Volkanovski, 35, but the Australian appears quite confident
The Australian has promised to teach his ‘cocky’ opponent an important lesson
The couple stood up: Volkanovski very slowly, in the full attitude of an old man.
“Saturday night I’ll look mean and skinny, I’m going for my head,” Volkanovski said.
Topuria responded: ‘I’m going to humiliate you, I’m going to show you. I’m going to walk (wipe) the floor with you.’
Volkanovski responded: “I’m going to make this look easy.”
Topuria said, “I’m going to rip your head off.”
The war of words continued with Volkanovski even branding Topuria a ‘Conor McGregor wannabe’ as the Spaniard borrowed some of the famous Irishman’s moves, including keeping the belt away from the Australian.
The New South Wales native last fought in October, when he moved up to lightweight and agreed to a rematch with Islam Makhachev on 11 days’ notice, a fight he lost in the first round.
Buoyed by a full training camp and enjoying his opponent playing the villain in the media, Volkanovski, 35, says the title fight is about him exuding his experience and teaching the “cocky young man” a lesson. .
“You have to talk about a great game, you don’t really have much to back it up,” the Australian champion told AAP.
“I just need to be that experienced fighter that goes out and teaches the cocky young man a lesson.”