Nearly three months have passed since featherweight god-king Ilia Topuria successfully bulldozered through Max Holloway’s titanium chin to register his first title defense. Since that landmark performance, speculation has run rampant about who might be next for the surging star. The Spanish-Georgian has openly expressed his ambition to move up to the 155-pound division and challenge Islam Makhachev, emulating his former idol Conor McGregor by pursuing a two-division championship.

However, UFC CEO Dana White has firmly quashed those plans, stating that the featherweight king is “not going anywhere,” signaling his continued dominance at 145lbs. So, who will step up to face Topuria in his second title defense? According to a report by the Instagram page MMA Pros Picks, a rematch with Alexander Volkanovski is in the works for UFC 314.

The post declared: “Breaking news: Ilia Topuria vs. Alexander Volkanovski is in the works for UFC 314 in Miami, per KOlmeneroMMA – X.” The highly anticipated event is reportedly slated for April 5, 2025, at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida.

This speculation gained further traction when Dana White, addressing media after UFC 308, hinted at Volkanovski’s return to the Octagon against the reigning champ. White acknowledged Volk’s consistent willingness to step up whenever the UFC needed him, referencing his clash against Islam Makhachev at UFC 294 where the Aussie stepped up a weight class on 11 days’ notice.

White praised the former P4P #1 fighter, “Volkanovski’s one of those guys. He’s been that guy for us anytime we’ve needed him. He’s been on this run like (Israel) Adesanya and like Alex (Pereira) is on right now. When things don’t go our way and you’ve got to call a guy, Volkanovski has always been that guy. He really was. For him to ask for it.”

Although the UFC or Dana White has yet to officially confirm this potential matchup, fans are already abuzz with excitement. Social media is flooded with opinions, with some eagerly calling for a rematch between Ilia Topuria and Volk. Meanwhile, others have voiced their disappointment, intensifying the anticipation and speculation surrounding the featherweight champion’s next fight. Let’s dive in.

Fans expect “Same Result” in rumored Alexander Volkanovski vs. Ilia Topuria rematch

Similar to Max Holloway, Alexander Volkanovski has earned a loyal fanbase throughout his career thanks to his consistency and dominance in the Octagon. For many of his supporters, watching him rise to the top and dominate opponents makes it hard to picture a “young and hungry” fighter like Ilia Topuria taking him down. This sentiment resonated with fans in the comments, such as one who stated, “I don’t think I can handle this again,” and another expressing worry, “Volk get KO’d again.”

Throughout his UFC run, Volkanovski has been a dominant force, consistently emerging victorious. However, things took a turn when he moved up to challenge Islam Makhachev for the 155lbs title at UFC 284 in 2023. The decision to step up in weight turned out to be one of his biggest mistakes, as the Australian failed to dethrone Makhachev after five challenging rounds, and his 12-fight win streak was snapped.

Later that year, ‘The Great’ faced Makhachev again at UFC 294, but this time, the Dagestani ended the fight with a brutal head kick knockout. Earlier this year, Topuria also knocked out the former champion, leaving fans disappointed. As one fan lamented, “Same result, but even earlier this time.”

Despite the setbacks, not all fans have written off Volk. Some are confident he can make a comeback, with one fan commenting, “Volka is a sensational intelligent and one of the best fighters ever. Volka will perform much better in the rematch. I’m betting on Volka for points, 48-47.” Given the current odds, Topuria, being younger and in his prime, is seen by many as a strong contender. As one fan eagerly said, “PLEASE make this happen so I can be rich. Topuria smokes him again.”

What do you think about the rumored Ilia Topuria vs. Alexander Volkanovski 2.0 rematch? Is this the fight fans have been hoping for? Are the reactions from fans justified, especially considering the Aussie’s age? Do you believe he can bounce back against a fighter as formidable as ‘El Matador’? Drop your thoughts below.