Ilia Topuria urges Alexander Volkanovski against UFC 308 backup role: ‘He needs some rest’

Ilia Topuria has already defeated Alexander Volkanovski for the UFC featherweight title, but “El Matador” is willing to do it again at UFC 308 if need be.

The undefeated UFC featherweight champion is currently scheduled to defend his title for the first time since stopping Volkanovski this past February when he meets Max Holloway at UFC 308 on Oct. 26 in Abu Dhabi. It’s a massive meeting between the current 145-pound king and the current “BMF” champion that will headline one of the most stacked pay-per-view (PPV) cards of the year.

While Topuria and Holloway are not prone to pulling out of fights, the promotion may decide to bring in a backup fighter to potentially fill in for an injury, botched weight cut, or anything else. It makes sense for that fighter to be Volkanovski, who before his loss to Topuria had produced an undefeated 13-0 record as member of the UFC’s featherweight division. This includes five-straight title defenses and three title fight wins over Holloway.

“I reckon I’ll be there, you know what I mean?” said Volkanovski during a fan Q&A earlier this month in Australia. “I’m usually hanging around and pestering my managers and the matchmakers. I’m always hanging around. You can’t get rid of me. I’ll be there.”

Topuria, who just fought Volkanovski six months ago, doesn’t know if that’s the right choice for the former champion. After all, Volkanovski has suffered back-to-back knockout losses since he was finished by Islam Makhachev prior to his meeting with Topuria.

“Listen, I don’t know (if that’s a good idea),” Topuria told MMA Junkie. “He wants to get knocked out every year. Twice, maybe someone has to give him good advice. He needs some rest. I’m telling you, he needs some rest. His head at least.”

That said, Topuria doesn’t really care who is standing across the cage from him at UFC 308. He would prefer Holloway for the chance to add another legendary name to his growing resume, but “El Matador” is fine running things back with Volkanovski if it comes to that.

“My business and my job is to fight, no matter who is in front of me,” Topuria said. “I’m the world champion. I had my preferences before that I wanted to fight people who was next to me in the rankings, to get my chance to fight for the title as soon as possible. But now, when I’m the world champion, I don’t care. Give me a name. Give me a place. I’m going to give you a masterpiece of mixed martial arts.”