Jul 8, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Alexander Volkanovski (red gloves) prior to the fight against Yair Rodriguez (blue gloves) during UFC 290 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

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Alexander Volkanovski Share His Prediction On Potential Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria Superfight

Former bantamweight champion Alexander Volkanovski makes his pick for the potential showdown between Ilia Topuria vs. Islam Makhachev

When it comes to analyzing a potential superfight, who better to ask than someone who has faced both fighters? Alexander Volkanovski finds himself in this unique position. The former UFC featherweight champion has stepped into the octagon with both Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria.

His battles with these elite fighters gave him special insight that few others can claim. Volkanovski challenged Makhachev for the lightweight title twice, coming heartbreakingly close in their first encounter. He also faced Topuria in a featherweight title defense that ended with Volkanovski losing his belt. These experiences make his opinion on a potential clash between these two champions particularly valuable.

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Alexander Volkanovski’s Take On Makhachev vs. Topuria!

In a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Volkanovski shared his thoughts on how a fight between Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria might unfold. He didn’t mince words about Topuria’s power, stating:

”Ilia is a dangerous fighter and he can catch anyone… If he lands he could definitely knock [Islam] out.”

👀Alexander Volkanovski believes Ilia Topuria is the biggest threat to knocking out Islam Makhachev:

"Ilia is a dangerous fighter and he can catch anyone. If he lands he could definitely knock [Islam] out…

But some have better chances than others, and Ilia has a better chance… pic.twitter.com/mg3hVy2gol
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) February 26, 2025

This assessment comes from firsthand experience, as Topuria’s knockout power sent Volkanovski to the canvas when they fought at UFC 298. However, the Australian fighter was quick to acknowledge the challenge Topuria would face as well.

“I think that’s gonna be hard to do. I think Islam’s a pretty safe fighter…But some have better chances than others, and Ilia has a better chance than most.”

Ilia Topuria vs. Islam Makhachev In The Works?

This potential matchup has been brewing for some time. Dana White previously announced that Topuria has vacated his featherweight title to move up to lightweight. The UFC CEO however hinted that an immediate title shot against Makhachev was not in the cards for Topuria.

Meanwhile, Topuria has been particularly vocal about wanting to challenge Makhachev, often claiming he has the skills to dethrone the dominant Dagestani champion. For his part, Makhachev hasn’t shied away from responding to Topuria’s callouts, creating a natural storyline for what could be one of the biggest fights of the year.

The entire lightweight division seems to be in a holding pattern waiting to see what happens next. Will Makhachev defend against Topuria in what could be an explosive clash of styles? Or will he wait to see the outcome of Muhammad vs. Della Maddalena at UFC 315 before making his next move?

Meanwhile, Volkanovski isn’t just sitting on the sidelines offering commentary. After losing his featherweight belt to Topuria, he is scheduled to face Diego Lopes for the now-vacant 145-pound title at UFC 314. If he recaptures the belt, it could potentially set up another chapter in his own rivalry with either Makhachev or Topuria down the line!

(Image Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie – Imagn Images)

Alexander Volkanovksi

Ilia Topuria

Islam Makhachev

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!