The rivalry between Ilia Topuria and Alexander Volkanovski is one of the most exciting narratives in the UFC’s featherweight division. Volkanovski, long heralded as the greatest featherweight of all time, had reigned supreme over the 145-pound weight class for years, proving his dominance with methodical precision, impeccable striking, and a suffocating style. His reign seemed nearly unbreakable until Topuria came onto the scene. When the two finally met at UFC 298 in February, Topuria was ready to challenge Volkanovski for the title, and the fight didn’t disappoint.

In a shocking turn of events, Topuria knocked out Volkanovski in devastating fashion, ending the Australian’s reign and taking the crown. For Volkanovski, the loss was a bitter pill to swallow. Having been virtually untouchable for years, the defeat to Topuria marked not just the loss of his title, but also a blow to his legacy. Known for his resilience and determination, however, ‘The Great’ has made it clear that he won’t go down without a fight, fueling the anticipation for a potential rematch.

The rematch will now take place much to the delight of the fans. Rueben Carter took to his X account to make the announcement of the fight. He tweeted, “BREAKING NEWS Ilia Topuria vs Alexander Volkanovski 2 will main event #UFC314 in Miami Florida” Volkanovski is determined to reclaim what was once his, while Topuria is looking to solidify his place as the new king of the featherweight division. The rivalry promises to deliver fireworks, and fans are eagerly awaiting what comes next in this thrilling saga.

Ilia Topuria is currently on a roll in the division and is looking absolutely unstoppable. The Spaniard is not only an elite striker but also a world-class grappler. ‘El Matador’ has already knocked out the former champion and holds an upper hand in their potential rematch. However, ‘Volk’ isn’t quite fazed by the threat. Rather he is eyeing for a greatest comeback in his rematch against Topuria.

Alexander Volkanovski is ready for his battle against Ilia Topuria

After defeating Volkanovski, Ilia Topuria continued his dominant rise by steamrolling Max Holloway, a fighter renowned for his iron chin and widely regarded as the second-best featherweight in UFC history. With these back-to-back victories over dominant ex-champs, Topuria has firmly established himself as one of the all-time greats in the division. This makes a potential rematch with Volkanovski incredibly significant. If the Aussie manages to reclaim his title by defeating ‘El Matador’, it would be a monumental achievement for his legacy, and Volkanovski knows just how high the stakes are.

However, he is ready for the challenge and is looking forward to the fight. During an interview, he said, “We’re looking at one of the biggest comebacks in UFC history, that’s what we’re looking for, that’s what we want and I’m going for, I’m going all in,”. 

There’s a well-known phenomenon in the UFC called the “over-35 curse,” particularly affecting fighters who are 35 or older and compete in weight classes of 170 pounds or less. Fighters in this age group have a dismal record of 2-23 in championship bouts against younger opponents, with an even worse 0-16 record in divisions of 155 pounds or below. This statistic underscores the challenges that older fighters face when going up against the next generation of talent.

At 36 years old, Alexander Volkanovski’s potential victory in a rematch with Ilia Topuria could go down as one of the most remarkable comebacks in UFC history. A win in this high-stakes fight might not only cement his legacy but could also secure his place on or near the Mount Rushmore of MMA. What are your thoughts on Volkanovski’s recent insights about his upcoming rematch with Topuria?