Things are heating up between Ilia Topuria and Yair Rodriguez.
Recently, Rodriguez targeted Topuria’s resume, claiming he talked his way into a title shot. Topuria (14-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) is set to face featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski (26-3 MMA, 13 UFC) in the main event of UFC 298 on February 17th at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
Topuria, who remains undefeated with wins over Bryce Mitchell and Josh Emmett, has been looking dominant in the Octagon. He mocked Rodriguez’s recent fights, suggesting that luck played a role in some of them.
“They’ve been giving me significant fights not because I’ve been talking, but because I’ve been winning. That’s what sets me apart from him,” Topuria said in a statement in an interview with Mr. Colmenero. “I don’t win fights because my opponent’s (Ortega) shoulder pops out. I didn’t win because they hit me, and in the fifth round he (Jung) hits an elbow that I don’t even know where it came from. They will not use me as a battle rag.”
Topuria has made bold statements, even claiming to be a five-time defending champion. He believes Volkanovski will have one of the easiest fights of his career. However, the 27-year-old Spaniard insists that it is his performance that is being talked about.
“What do you mean I’m talking? Let him talk and you’ll see he won’t get anything,” Topuria continued. “If he’s going to watch this, one piece of advice for him: Let him start winning, and he’ll start taking things. Talking won’t get you anywhere. What we have to do is win, but it’s difficult.”
Rodriguez (16-4 MMA, 10-3 UFC) will face Brian Ortega (15-3 MMA, 7-3 UFC) in the co-headliner of UFC Fight Night on February 24 in Mexico City.
For more information on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub. UFC 298.
