Alexander Volkanovski UFC 298 Interview: I’m out to ‘humble’ Ilia Topuria | ESPN MMA
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Stream UFC 298 on ESPN+ plus.espn.com/ufc/ppv
Megan Olivi sits down with featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski ahead of his title fight vs. Ilia Topuria in Anaheim.
0:00 Assessing 2023
2:07 Moving up in the future
3:59 Staying busy
8:54 His run at featherweight
11:37 Topuria’s confidence
14:34 The challenges he’s preparing for
16:12 Discussing his mental health
#UFC298 #Volkanovski #Topuria
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Пікірлер: 657
people talk about Illia being a big test for Alex, I personally think Alex is a big test for Illia, Alex is levels above anybody Illia's fought
@Zakhtv
3 ай бұрын
We see it this Saturday
@mrspiff6955
3 ай бұрын
It won’t be competitive after the first round. Volk will destroy him. Will be reminiscent of the Izzy - Costa fight.
@Zakhtv
3 ай бұрын
@@mrspiff6955 watch out you going to be surprised
@andrelin0913
3 ай бұрын
Alex is mutiple levels above Ilia's past opponent. Josh Emmett lost to Yair, and Yair got beaten up and dominated by Volk in every way.
@Prbasss
3 ай бұрын
i dont think u can do MMA Math like this@@andrelin0913
Volk short guy but strong guy. I’m rooting for you Champ
@God-sz4pf
3 ай бұрын
Shut up
@ConorKhabibBrunson
3 ай бұрын
… Brother hold on I’m talking, BRO A 20 MIN VIDEO WITH OLIVIS TOENAILZ BEING THERE? WHY ISNT THE CAMERA ON THEM?
@Kirilluxe
3 ай бұрын
Makhachev said this words
@lccody1537
3 ай бұрын
@@Kirilluxe We have to check that moment
@pm_t4738
3 ай бұрын
@@lccody1537we have to cancel many black belt
Saturday night could very well be one of the best main events we have set for this year. With all the talk surrounding volk and the hype around Topuria. We got all the makings for a beautiful fight.
@mrspiff6955
3 ай бұрын
I think you will be disappointed. This will be like the Izzy - Costa fight. Volk will make it look easy.
@Kegotback
3 ай бұрын
@@mrspiff6955 I won’t be disappointed by however the fight ends. Just looking forward to a good matchup. I am worried about Volk coming off 4 months after a KO. However, I think Illia is underestimating Volk as well based on all the chatter and media posts. As an MMA fan it is an exciting matchup and their styles matchup well.
@ConorKhabibBrunson
3 ай бұрын
Brother hold on I’m talking, BRO A 20 MIN VIDEO WITH OLIVIS TOENAILZ BEING THERE? WHY ISNT THE CAMERA ON THEM?
@Mcfc2Rich
3 ай бұрын
@@ConorKhabibBrunsondeep breaths R kid
@starseeddeluxe
3 ай бұрын
This is a fight worthy of UFC 300 main event. Not a Adesanya vs. 39 year old Alex Pierera part 5. Dustin Poirier vs. Saint Dennis and this fight, should have been on UFC 300.
You can tell Volk doesn't want to talk about the vulnerable spot last fight and cameras in his face. Yet always handles it with class. Hella respectable. Get this W
@rpgaming9622
3 ай бұрын
Last night?
Fighters like Volk is why i love mma
Best champion in the last decade. Arguably the best of all time.
@iJuce
3 ай бұрын
Arguably not
@JopJio
3 ай бұрын
Best Fw for sure.
@rickjones5399
3 ай бұрын
@@iJuce Don't think that is the case
@rickjones5399
3 ай бұрын
@@JopJio Best champion. The most consistent, well rounded and admirable champion.
@TheKronicspider
3 ай бұрын
😂 no way he could be considered all time best or even be in the discusion. He walked into a division who only has Max as a challenge. Most of the fighters that gave depth to this division in the past were either gone or in tail end of their careers. This division has been weak for quite a while, and his route to a championship fight was one of the weakes in terms of oponents ive ever seen. Even Topurias has been more challenging and many are questioning that.
I got Volk by domination...by round 3 Toporia will find out this aint a walkover like he's expecting
@ConorKhabibBrunson
3 ай бұрын
Brother hold on I’m talking, BRO A 20 MIN VIDEO WITH OLIVIS TOENAILZ BEING THERE? WHY ISNT THE CAMERA ON THEM?!
@starseeddeluxe
3 ай бұрын
Volk is the more experienced guy, but he doesn't have an elite chin. He has been knocked down by Max, and you have to consider that Topuria hits about 3 times harder than Max.
@larrytate1657
3 ай бұрын
@@starseeddeluxe I don’t think Volk would be where he’s at if he didn’t have a good chin but more importantly even he knows how to avoid and roll with the big shots. On the other hand Topuria hasn’t fought anyone near Volks level at this point in his career.
@NoLiesToldTV
3 ай бұрын
He knows that though and he will be champ!
@McYeroc
3 ай бұрын
3x harder than max. K@@starseeddeluxe
Volk has the perfect mentality for this fight he has clarity
Volk is a legend already, his strive for greatness is inspiring
Volk gonna humble this dude.
@charlespatoshik5305
3 ай бұрын
We will see😂
@Ziggyvu
3 ай бұрын
@@charlespatoshik5305imagine trying to talk like that with an anime profile pic
@Uchihawallstreet
3 ай бұрын
@@Ziggyvulol all he said was “we will see” 😅
@kazkaze2456
3 ай бұрын
everytime a fighter came up with that kind of statement, he end up getting ko'ed.. love volk but he's a kind of dude who need to have a narrative to relie on.. its not a good sign
@charlespatoshik5305
3 ай бұрын
@@Ziggyvu did i hurt your feelings snowflake?
Lets go champ We are always on your side
@jakenake3401
3 ай бұрын
I think he's gonna get killed ?
@beaualoevv
3 ай бұрын
former champs he’s getting knocked tf out next saturday mate
@ConorKhabibBrunson
3 ай бұрын
Brother hold on I’m talking, BRO A 20 MIN VIDEO WITH OLIVIS TOENAILZ BEING THERE? WHY ISNT THE CAMERA ON THEM?
@Davinderpvt
3 ай бұрын
@@ConorKhabibBrunson fr
@robinbanks2564
3 ай бұрын
Both you nikkas need some milk mate
Returning 4 months after a Headkick KO is rough. Volk will forever be one of my favorites, hope he wins
@neymsrneymar9607
3 ай бұрын
Wasnt a KO….
@DGM327
3 ай бұрын
@@MemeSFX 💯
@crakatinni
3 ай бұрын
Usman wasn't the same, let's see how an Aussie deals
@MatanicFabrications
3 ай бұрын
Its been an entire quarter of a year
@justvibing2497
3 ай бұрын
@MemeSFX it was a tko still deadly
This guy is the real deal any champ should look and learn top class 👌
Coming back in 4 months after a k.o, 35, EA curse might still be lingering around, young undefeated kid. Man has a lot put on him
@derrickandress98
3 ай бұрын
Stfu with EA curse lol everything else I agree with
@GeneralKnoxxx
3 ай бұрын
Next thing you know we are going to have to pay to see these interviews thanks to micro transactions. Thanks EA.
@cloudvsSephirof
3 ай бұрын
EA curse still lingering lmao
@jesusisgod1631
3 ай бұрын
He is going down hill now just like everybody else once they lose they start losing more it's confidence is gone
@dubenstein6347
3 ай бұрын
Alex seems to thrive in this type of situation. If anyone can its him. He was a 5'4" guy playing rugby professionally. He's always had odds against him
I have a feeling the next Volk we see will be next level..
@miguelortiz5286
3 ай бұрын
Boy oh boy
Whatever happened and will happen. I'm a Volk fan for life. Man is an inspiration.
BJ Penn lost to GSP at welterweight and defended his lightweight belt twice after that and he was a savage.
@miketopcu8067
3 ай бұрын
Yeah but ilia is bigger than volk , gsp was way bigger than BJ
Props to Volk. The champ takes on all challenge...........even with no training camp. Love this athlete.
Lets be real, we all want to hear "Down Under" when the champ walks out!!!
@rdicko86
3 ай бұрын
He has to change it up to " y'all musta forgot" for this one 😂
@once-vs3oz
3 ай бұрын
@@rdicko86would have to be an Aussie song. Luckily we have thousands.
VOLK AND STIIIILL
@jely5541
3 ай бұрын
YOU MEANT AND NEW
@alexfromdc568
3 ай бұрын
@@jely5541 NOOOOOOOOOO
@ConorKhabibBrunson
3 ай бұрын
Brother hold on I’m talking, BRO A 20 MIN VIDEO WITH OLIVIS TOENAILZ BEING THERE? WHY ISNT THE CAMERA ON THEM?
@miguelortiz5286
3 ай бұрын
@@alexfromdc568NEEEEWWWW
@Vicenc-lp9qv
3 ай бұрын
Aaaaand NEEEW
If ilia wins he will hold the title hostage, he will fight less frequently than Leon! We need Volk as champ!
" ...everyone back at home, I don't care if you like me or hate me, stand up for yourself... ....I stood up for myself, no one can bring me down..." - Bald Volk
@crazypato3752
3 ай бұрын
What does he mean by that ?
@mehal4581
3 ай бұрын
I stood up and look at me now!
@JordoniusOfFrisia
3 ай бұрын
it means do what scares you. dont be content on the sidelines. you want something?.. make it happen and believe you can do it.@@crazypato3752
@DGM327
3 ай бұрын
@@crazypato3752 it’s about the the haters and doubters that he continues to remind why he was going to be and did become the champ. Getting boo’d every time he’s in America, or fights one of the OGs. He’s the Champ and merely considered an underdog and still being doubted going into each fight. Ilia has no respect calling himself the champ already, it’s disrespectful to all champs past and present and he’s going to cop a flogging for it. Alex is humble and these contenders are tiny in his eyes but he doesn’t say it out loud, just gets free fuel for the fire, goes and fks their day up.
@rdebaron
3 ай бұрын
@@mehal4581dont let him bully u son
Truly “the great:” the greatest attitude from one of the greatest champions. Great questions too!
Volk is a great champion, down to earth but very confident about hes skills. Hes on another level and showed it many times.
That was an amazing interview 👍
Excellent interviewer and loved what she said at the end, I'm on teraphy for these kind of problems and have no shame to let it know to anyone, if Alexander the great can have this the anyone can have it.
You got this champ!
The most active UFC champ here
Great interview, thank you Megan.
Volk is such a humble dude, definitively one of the greatest MMA fighters today~.
@DeterminedFC
3 ай бұрын
the irony is volk said he had to lose his humbleness to be the champ
and still baby!!!!
This is a great interview. Megan does a fantastic job at framing interesting questions. It brings our some really cool answers from Volk.
As a Topuria fan, it would hurt seeing Volk lose man. Hope the best man wins 🔥
@Fitkid7672
3 ай бұрын
The best man will win. I don't se how ilia wins honesty.
@unclejunior2668
3 ай бұрын
@@Fitkid7672 easy he can knock or TKO Volk out.. dude hits like a truck.. I can see him dominating Volk like he did Emmett as well.. dudes young and is getting better every fight.. i can also see Volk dominating.. it’s not a easy fight
@lll-qr4yu
3 ай бұрын
@@Fitkid76722nd round TKO
@stayfrostyfrosty
3 ай бұрын
@@Fitkid7672Wait time will tell us how Illia can beat volk
@ConorKhabibBrunson
3 ай бұрын
Brother hold on I’m talking, BRO A 20 MIN VIDEO WITH OLIVIS TOENAILZ BEING THERE? WHY ISNT THE CAMERA ON THEM?
Love this man
First time in ages i will have to cheer against Volk cause Ilia is Georgian... Best of luck to both and may the better man win
We are with Volk, lets go champ💪
real mental battle this fight, let’s go volk!!
Me gusta esta rivalidad... creo que suma al deporte. Además de que ambos destacan por ser muy completos. Un saludo
Absolute class volk, always rooting for him !
Now thats a professional athlete for sure❤. waiting for "AND STILL"
Absolute champion in and out of the ring
This guy just stepped up his game time and time again, cheers on you!
Love it mate Go get em!
win lose or draw volk is a one in a billion fighter/ person. he’s such an inspiration to me and to others as well. always gonna back him regardless of the odds
Saturday we will either witness a fantastic rise or a glorious humbling.
Great interview
A true champion and good human being. Let’s go Volk!
Megan always a great interviewer
Let’s goooo love you Alex
I don't know exactly why but I would LOVE to see Charles x Volk at lightweight
Amazing champion & also able to share a bit of vulnerability. Powerful combination here that men need to see at this time. What a big heart with likeable personality. UFC is lucky 2 have a star such as Volkanovski. He’s got a future in media too. ⭐️
Watching my first ufc event at anaheim. Volk is always a class act! couldnt have a better champion. 50-45 Illia
Lets go Volk!!!
Most exciting fighter in UFC
Meghan does the best interviews. All the other people struggle to keep the flow natural
One of the greatest MMA fighters in the world, only up from here.
And still baby!
Win or loss Great champ and greal human🦾❤️🙏🏽
If you look closely you can see Makhachev shin stamped on his forehead
Volk gonna make it look easy! There’s levels and Volk is at the top…
@DonFoca
3 ай бұрын
🤣🤣
We should be grateful for Volk for being such a great champ for all these years already!
Got a mad feeling about this one ngl
Long time dominant champion vs undefeated next generation fighter. Dominick vs Cody, Pitbull vs Aj Mcee. When Aj beat Pitbull it gave me Jon Jones vs Shogun Rua vibes. Long time champs usually have their toughest challenge when they face next generation fighters. If Volk can get past this he is something else. 🔥🔥🔥
What a classy reportter this is ..I really like her work...Wolk keep up..I hope he wins against Topuria..No hate..
He's a great man and a great Champion and no result this weekend can change that. People can write him off and he is coming back too soon for my liking after that KO but what's meant to be is meant to be and I believe Ilia will be a Champion as well, we will just have to wait and see if it's this weekend. I can't go against Volk at 145
Ilia is good but bro acting like he pre-ordered the belt.
@CryptikStudios
3 ай бұрын
It’s gonna get lost in the post.
@n1troz_
3 ай бұрын
People said same about Conor
@Plugitinbby
3 ай бұрын
@@n1troz_ topuria aint got the skill to back it up tho
@n1troz_
3 ай бұрын
@@Plugitinbby people said the same about Conor lmao , we’ll see
@miguelortiz5286
3 ай бұрын
@@Plugitinbbyenough skill to become champ
Let's go Volk...I want you to humble the cocky Ilia....I believe in you and you are a great inspiration to people around the world ❤
@Zakhtv
3 ай бұрын
Ilia is not cocky he said what he believes and he's hungry
@aitor-bw4pk
3 ай бұрын
@@Zakhtvsaying he doesn't want to defend the belt against the top contenders of the division if he becomes champ is cocky af, but it is the personality he wants to transmit so we are gonna let the man do whatever he wants and see what happens
The imagery of the tide turning in the octagon Illia facing adversity, Volk overcoming the odds, the co-main getting canceled as Costa pulls out, Dana pink with rage and the fans raging in the arena
Saturday tune in to cooking with volk! He's serving humble pie 🥧
@DonFoca
3 ай бұрын
🤣🤣
Talks so clearly and makes total sense, not like a lot of fighter interviews. 😅
Megan again with a great Interview. Goat of interviewer.
This kid is going to reign for some more. People always got a short memory.
"I'm glad of the decision I made to take that fight" not many fighters coming off a loss like that are willing to say this. That's what tells me that, even though he's giving a lot of context to his personal situation during that time, he's not trying to excuse himself of anything. True champion mindset
how can you not like Volk? cheers from Morocco.
Megan Olivi, the GOAT interviewer with Volko, the potentially soon to be featherweight GOAT.
My theory is he will be like kamaru , once your knocked out cold , it breaks you mentally & once you lose from winning so much it makes you extra play it extra safe
@deshaunimations7471
3 ай бұрын
I see him sticking to a good gameplan at first. Strong leg kicks n feints to make illia throw unnecessary power shots. But I do think illia will connect eventually n put him out. If it goes to the mat, Kimora.
Let's go VOLKANOVSKI!!!!
Hoping Volk keeps winning to leave an almost unbeatable record in that division. 🙂💪
@beaualoevv
3 ай бұрын
acidgIow= groomer, my daughter will sue you
@ConorKhabibBrunson
3 ай бұрын
Brother hold on I’m talking, BRO A 20 MIN VIDEO WITH OLIVIS TOENAILZ BEING THERE? WHY ISNT THE CAMERA ON THEM?
@eddiebissellosullivan4327
3 ай бұрын
He is undefeated at featherweight
@eddiebissellosullivan4327
3 ай бұрын
@@ConorKhabibBrunsonyou're genuinely severely autistic without realising it.
Volk, paulo and Merab my pick.
Alex has like 1 fresh fit and rocks it every fight week haha but he the fw goat
Thats make you the greatest featherweight
Alex volk💪
Volk is a tank.short stocky guys are tough
'hes not as good as he thinks he is' famous last words for volk. Big underestimation.
I really hope alex wins. Ilia is going to be patient he might even give up a round just to get reads and try KO off a counter and have his omalley moment.i hope volk can humble him but im nervous
Don't see Volkanovski knocking out Topuria but can see him peppering Topuria too take the win on points.
Hey Megan, can you ask Alex who he thinks Whittaker will fight after Costa pulls out? Thanks
This fight is giving Izzy Pereira 1(mma)/Usman Edwards 2 Volk dominates till the fifth then is finished/ko'd
Ilia is a phenom and has shown true grit . Alex will have his hands full. I have no idea who will win this fight.
Volk did look in worse shape in the rematch, than in the first fight with Islam - just a fact. Sure a huge learning experience for him, as well.
Let’s go champ . 🇦🇺
Meagan is such a great interviewer.
Alexander is gonna humble the kid 🥶
Let's go Volk.
Let’s remember how good Volk was in the first fight against Islam at lightweight. At featherweight he is dominant. People judging him on the second Islam fight which he never really should have taken on short notice.
Let’s go Alex. That’s why I have respect for Izzy. He moved up and challenged himself, and like Khabib. Who retired in his prime. Even if it did not work out, he still challenged himself after wiping out his division. They will be the greats for doing stuff like that.
Love VOLK. True champ mentality and spirit! Rooting for him this Sat. 👏👊💥🦶💥🥇
Volk’s only losses are at higher weights. His first loss was at WW, I remember looking that up after he fought Max. How many other fighters would have more losses fighting n higher weight classes. GSP fought the most beatable and least threatening MW champion we’ve ever had. At the same time don’t think because you can beat bigger guys that Ilia will be easier. Ilia would do well moving up weight classes but can dominate 145. But I got Volk still.
And still!!!!!!! 😊
With 1 win at lw I think he can definitely call for another title shot