Ilia Topuria Claps Back at Alexander Volkanovski’s Thoughts on Levels

The Schmo interviews #3 UFC Featherweight Ilia Topuria as he puts his final touches on fight camp for UFC 298. Topics include:
- What’s made Alexander Volkanovski a Dominant Champion?
- How he becomes Champion at UFC 298
- Routine of wine drinking and singing on the eve of the weigh ins
- Where his confidence comes from?
- Fighters beefing with him outside of weight class
Instagram, Tiktok & Twitter: @theschmo312
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[@kevivtawar7716]

his barber and tattoo guy are undefeated as well

[@Namesi]

This is going to be an amazing fight - absolutely love both Volk and Topuria so may the best man win!

[@duncanstrik8764]

For every like i will do 1 pushup

[@b.bsharma2404]

For every like he gets I will do 1 squat.

[@dyyylllaannn]

For every like they both get I will view Drake's meat 1 time

[@mak_777]

that's 58 pushups and counting.

[@anacronix4193]

Ten push ups Duncan ! Flubby but

[@marcosibiza]

70

[@ANDERSON-ug7kc]

You can't deny the fact that this man (Ilia) knows how to sell a fight. I was excited about this one before his interviews, but now i'm pumped up.

[@dhungryarchitect]

yeh just stay away from the juice u feeling too pumped up

[@rajatrai5532]

He is Conor McGregor fan afterall

[@iJuce]

His English has definitely improved. Glad the UFC finally has someone with almost McGregor-like confidence. Wish him the best in his upcoming fight. Let's go Ilia 💪

[@Hispania_MMA]

He has a ver y good english level. But the most of his fans are Spanish. Thais the thing and why he talks spanish in some interviews.

[@gregoryguzman4087]

I'm pretty sure he didn't get the "going down on a women" joke haha

[@flock30]

Shmo turned into Aspinall for a second with that going down question 😭😭😭 5:17

[@ooolol]

Aspinall 🤔 I don't get the reference 😕 Tyron Woodley would have been perfect for that question though 😂😂

[@atheist6997]

Naw that was a sus question

[@yhyhyh47]

ilia didnt get it

[@rcnyoplait]

Not even if there's a female involved...? ...Of course not. 😮😂

[@topgmedia4702]

@@ooololaspinal asked nina if he could finger her, in the middle of an interview & he was dead serious about it lol It was super cringe

[@brendanmaher2002]

Haven't seen a fighter come out. Just stacking bodies like this, for a while .excited for this . Im taking Ilia

[@Evilevilmonkeyy]

Shavkat, khamzat, many other undefeated fighters until they fight top 10, top 5

[@JordY11222]

ilia's energy is just different.

[@mevolveme]

Delusional until proven otherwise

[@YakubTheScientist8841]

​@@mevolvemehe's either delusional or not, if you think he's delusional you can cry when he destroys volk

[@mevolveme]

@@YakubTheScientist8841what if he doesnt? Come back to comments after the fight?

[@Th3MasculineJourney]

@@mevolveme

[@AppreciateLife.]

@@mevolvemewhat?

[@swifty123]

I like the way that he’s taking. It’s very possible for him to beat Volk, but it’s also a lot of meme material if he loses

[@tydupont8084]

That’s usually how it goes. You gotta be confident in the ufc.. but it can really make you look bad

[@OoLiiMiiT3D]

I dont think its ever meme material. The guys just believe 100% they are going to win, but also know everything can happen. I really feel like there is not much to meme about when a fighter is confident.

[@rearnakedsmoke1939]

@@tydupont8084to be fair he should be confident, he’s 27 years old (His absolute prime) fighting a 35 year old Coming off a Ko and coming back down in weight . Not to mention from his point of view he’s probably thinking “I’ve won 15 straight fights , volk hasn’t won 1 straight fight” . And on top of that Tuporia is Bigger then volk , has more power then volk, a better chin then volk and is a better grappler then volk

[@finaothak5140]

@@tydupont8084 tbh I don't think so. Look at previous challengers who were cocky, they get clowned on like a few days after the fight then next week no one remembers or cares. But if he wins then thats a different story and he's the champ and people go crazy.

[@Bryan48950]

Volk was the same exact way

[@GalvezKillaworkouts]

Gilbert burns and Vicente Luque both picked Topuria to win after doing trainning with him, i wonder what did they notice that makes them pick Topuria to Win so confident

[@subutai999]

Georgian resilence. They dont quit.

[@D4lD0]

Apparently high lvl bjj and his boxing is crisp. Plus power and chin. Dudes a monster. Plus Volk just got folded by Islam, bad timing.

[@Noweebsallowed]

@@subutai999Lol did you watch Dolidze’s fight clown?

[@chicx423]

@@subutai999 guram did tho

[@suchitkaul2505]

Still he didn't quit , he was outclassed by the French guy​@@Noweebsallowed

[@joakimnzuma5223]

Ilia 'phenomenal' Tuporia ,,what a confident bloke.

[@Zachydoodoo28363]

The “never go down” bit was very funny

[@onceupongeorgia]

Hard and smart work! Look at him, he speaks Spanish, English, Georgia, understand German and Russian, also Megrelian! Volk’s english vocabulary circle around “obviously “.

[@jorgeprieto4262]

And "and stuff like that"

[@strawhats4858]

We are Australian. We barely can speak English let alone other languages 😂

[@marsbrown4834]

And 'youse'. He is a master wordsmith. We are not worthy.

[@jmz2144]

"And still baby, lets go!"

[@newway9857]

No words needed 👊

[@MaybeHazy]

🎵Ilia, my good friend, in this fight, we'll be with you again 🎵

[@FishingPerro916]

Thanks for the interview Schmo !

[@worldview6218]

I like his attitude. He talks his shit sure but never seems delusional or like he has to pretend his opponents worse then they actually are, and he seems just genuinely confident. I like the way he says that the respect he has for his opponents shows in how hard he trains and prepares as well and to me in a pre fight build up its that which is more important then guys exchanging all these pleasantries and whispering sweet nothings in each others ears about how much they respect each other that should matter

[@thelurker1330]

He's delusional lmao saying he'll dominate Islam makachev on the ground and feet

[@worldview6218]

@@thelurker1330 no you misinterpreted I think. The question wasn’t about Islam, schmo asked if he could essentially outdo what Islam did to volk and topuria said he would dominate volk everywhere, which isn’t delusional, it’s the literal onvuous answer. What’s a guy supposed to say to that question? No, there’s zero way I could ever outdo what islam did to my opponent, hell I think volk has me beat in all facets of mma. Yeah no, it doesn’t work like that, and whether it proves to Be true or not when they fight it’s not delusional for a 26 undefeated fighter like topuria with high lvl bjj and wrestling and phenomenal boxing to believe in himself and that he’s the best given outside of literally just one fight against a guy he still brutally finished he’s dominated just about every exchange in every fight he’s been in. Delusional and confidence are different things, and answering questions that it’s impossible in this sport to actually answer but one way also isn’t delusional lol.

[@Hispania_MMA]

With any doubt, he will show levels. AND NEW!!!!!🇪🇸♥️🌹💣💣

[@Chuck26814]

This dude is a finisher. 14-0 and stopped 12 of em. I’m thinking “AAAANNNDD NEW!”

[@dogestranding5047]

4:45 He’s gonna make for such an awesome champ. So many years to defend that belt.

[@MyLeeoon]

Ilia is an admirable man.

[@calvincalvin3132]

they are both so skilled with little to no holes

[@jordancavaliere4314]

everyone has 7 holes

[@Pandemomium4Life]

@@jordancavaliere4314 Your gonna have 8 if you keep talking like that lil bro

[@jordancavaliere4314]

you're*@@Pandemomium4Life

[@Umbo-ln6ne]

you a bum and a coward@@Pandemomium4Life

[@draco2xx]

volk got more holes, overrated actually

[@phantom.wreath]

"there are levels and there is me" goes hard 😂

[@danielgolfin4477]

Humble pie coming your way and boy we can’t wait to see walk off without the belt!!!!!

[@marcosibiza]

I wouldn't be so sure

[@JustinMacMMA]

Dude has a good chance to be honest

[@danielgolfin4477]

@@marcosibiza that’s just my opinion we all got them and I honestly think volk gonna put him away

[@marcosibiza]

@@danielgolfin4477 Volk is a monster, superb fighter, but people that watch Ilia train here in Spain, say he's much better than people think, he hasn't shown yet....will see anyway, it will be an amazing fight.....by the way, a spanish journalist in a podcast said he beat Chimaev in wrestling training one day....i know its hard to belive, but i saw the podcast a few days ago, and there was 2 more journalist there

[@carltonpenaloza1395]

It’s so tough to predict this fight for so many reasons especially when you add the recent KO but Volk has been utterly dominant and imo the featherweight goat but I’m picking Topuria in this. Some fighter’s confidence are 9/10, others 10/10 and Topuria’s 11/10. His confidence has sold me!

[@eXyliad]

everything he said was the truth!

[@IamTrbl]

Always love you interviews !!

[@eddiediesel9035]

New champ. I'm backing you bro from New Zealand.

[@nikamachitidze1002]

წარმატებები, ილია !

[@jtlhc1]

The last time we saw this level of confidence was when Volk was talking about how he was gonna beat Max for the belt. Same vibes I'm feeling here.

[@mmacult5336]

the Schmo goes down for sure

[@ribal_aguilar]

even if there's a male involved

[@mortezes]

Great performance bro ! God bless you !

[@officaltop5276]

I like this guy calm and confident.

[@LeeProverbios]

Vamos matador🇪🇸🇪🇸

[@niconicoo5661]

🇬🇪🇬🇪🇬🇪🇬🇪

[@FishingPerro916]

🇪🇸 🔥

[@niconicoo5661]

@@FishingPerro916 🇬🇪🇬🇪🇬🇪💪🏻💪🏻

[@langtryvlogme]

Si papishulo 😫😩😩🍆

[@barca97able]

Fuck spain😂😂

[@whydee7447]

Did everything he said he would do 😎

[@dogestranding5047]

Fr, I put $100 on him bc it seemed so obvious that his boxing is way better than Volk’s.

[@Sunoco77]

The NEW champion of the world ilia the killer TOPUUUURIAA

[@ExploringtheKawithRa]

Likes for pushups im in ! Lets do it

[@axlprz11]

better post a video doing the push-ups

[@mouhkm1199]

He gonna be humbled in few days

[@ralphdejesus9732]

Seeing is believing🥊

[@chayharding326]

Looking forward to a good fight, not a fan of the guy personally but hes got a lot of confidence, good luck to both fighters

[@claytonbigbsy3880]

Great fight! Looking forward to seeing it play out! Volk is the featherweight goat and is the favourite but I feel his back is against the wall in this one. I believe llia is a bigger version of Volk. Very interesting fight!

[@user-dc9yv4rf1f]

Topuria is about to be the new champion

[@LeadLeft]

Let’s go! Rooting for both men! I hope both men gain stock from this war!

[@ramoncrocodiliansproductio3865]

As a New fan, Good luck Topuria!!! ✊🏾😎✨️🥊👑

[@TheMMATicket]

Lmfao that's joke you said about "going down" flew way over Ilias head 🤣

[@theguytakingnames123]

he’s Spanish c’mon

[@subutai999]

The first Georgian champ 🇬🇪🇬🇪🇬🇪🇬🇪 Merab next

[@oscargn14]

Lot of credit to Schmo

[@frankfonseca6311]

Very excited for this one. I believe Ilia will give Alex some problems in the beginning rounds but I think Alex will pull away with the decision win

[@oscarcm7258]

and the new!!🌹

[@drew586]

Great interview as always

[@Kortyzoll]

This is gonna be volk hardest defend

[@joshedge73]

Same story with Yair! We all remember what happened to him.

[@cuentaparaestudiaryserprod5206]

@@joshedge73 Yair, with a lot of respect for him, its nothing compare topuria

[@jmz2144]

Tbf, Yair had already been ragdolled by short jacked Frankie Edgar

[@Islandguy88]

There's a reason the UFC let Ilia skip Max, he would have gotten 100 pieced..lol

[@Islandguy88]

​@@cuentaparaestudiaryserprod5206Yair would finish Ilia with range and kicks.

[@nashussain8930]

I am rooting for Volk!

[@abdelkaderaazzam1479]

discipline and dedication, that does not include alcohol, a real sportsman does not drink a drop of alcohol, a real sportsman is humble to the world

[@kylenishida3469]

there are levels has never meant so much i love this guys confidence in the poket hes a scary man i literrally went back and watched any footage i could find on him just to learn about who this savare is i luv volk but i got the homie illia sub 3rd round cant wit to see him prove me right

[@jessemeyer3121]

Ilia can talk as much as he wants to. When the cage door closes behind him on February 17th, he should urgently follow his words with actions. You better win this fight or you'll become the biggest meme in UFC history.

[@akagym2239]

Para nada...

[@doublejacketjimmy391]

Well what makes you think he wouldn’t follow his words? It worked out for him this far.

[@jessemeyer3121]

@@doublejacketjimmy391 Because the best guys Topuria has fought are Bryce Mitchell and Josh Emmet. Now he fights Alexander Volkanovski, a fighter of a completely different caliber and by far the toughest test Topuria has ever faced.

[@niallwatts789]

Even though Volk is one of the very best on the entire roster, I just have a feeling that Topuira is going to win this one.

[@doctorb4]

Omg. Just win that fight ok! This confidence might make him humble

[@christianbr7]

Lfg ilia🥇🌹🇪🇦🇬🇪

[@humbleoak85]

First time seeing The Shmo with the innuendos lol

[@charlespatoshik5305]

Lets gooo🇬🇪🇬🇪🇬🇪🇬🇪🇬🇪

[@mehmetkaya1.0]

And new🔥🔥🔥

[@insanedrak]

Ngl ilia seems like a cool guy

[@Dshizzle78]

Let's go VOLK!!!

[@mayito714]

Great match up. Top two featherweights in the world will settle it Saturday. I have Volk if it goes 5 rounds and Ilia if it does not go 5 rounds.

[@konnyknees]

yes yes yes!!!!!

[@ChuchsKaoz]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 da going down part was hilarious

[@triocha233]

How are people comparing him to prime Conor💀 I have not laughed once with any Topuria line

[@thelurker1330]

He;s very unfunny in comparison

[@jeanarismendi5210]

I agree. Ilia is a more serious guy. I've heard him before, he wouldn't like to be known for having McGregor's personality. He's definitely aiming to have that McGregor's level of fame though

[@bangtaomuaythaimma]

Coming for that 0 Schmo! #AndStill

[@maximalsakerhet7930]

Damn that T-shirt is actually clean as hell

[@jordanbrown8278]

I'm pushing for Topuria

[@erikcedillo2905]

Damn idk I might be leaning towards Topuria in this fight. His confidence is oozing and the Volk aura seems to have left after the KO

[@cristianacuna7116]

0:13 bro that was a crack

[@diegochavez3001]

The Schmo almost got paralyzed D: giving his all for his job.

[@lionpinkman3815]

Next Champ

[@gruffski]

both fighters are AMAZING! but i still think Volk is going to win.

[@sage1d590]

Top fight. If he manages to dominate volks anywhere I’ll be very surprised. Volks takedown defence is awesome and keeping him down is near impossible at this weight

[@giorgijakobia4929]

funny af, new era of el matador inc!

[@bonganishaka6465]

Humble pie loading....

[@eXyliad]

Humble pie delivered! Just not to the one you thought...

[@Balfadoor]

And the New Champ 👑 there are levels and Ilia belongs to the top 🔝🎩

[@ConnorBlondin-]

This guy went the distance with a near 40 yr old Emmett btw

[@damian7509]

completely dominated and let his foot off the gas

[@oliverearnshaw6189]

Emmett is the hardest puncher in the division and his shots just bounced off, volk was knocked out in round 1 by a grappler with a head kick

[@Mr.1inamillion]

Who hits like a truck and kept a pace and him fighting every second of the fight lol you guys need a manual lol

[@Shroomieszz]

@@oliverearnshaw6189you would get knocked out by a 14 year old with minimal training with a head kick

[@oliverearnshaw6189]

@@Shroomieszz if that kick could be landed

[@toomuchisaid928]

Volk coming to serve that humble pie

[@ChasinRainbows]

VOLK REIGNS

[@golden_smaug]

Ilia es remajo

[@dhungryarchitect]

same here. im also the first one in the gym and the last one out. coz im the janitor.

[@strictlybangers]

You can't not like him. On top of that, he's an absolute savage. Extremely good grappler and his stand up is precise and powerful. He completely dismantled Bryce and totally nullified Emmett. Made Ryan Hall look silly. Love Volk but I think El Matadro tko's him. Sad there has to be a loser as they're consummate pros. Looking forward to it!

[@MrRaErickson]

The division needs a shake up. I'm rooting got Ilia

[@orlandoandfamilytv8950]

Ilia didn’t get the joke about going down on the female 😂

[@JACK_DANIELS9]

Lets go Topuria 🎉🎉

[@charlieolives8779]

What happened to the rest of the clip where he chokes you out?

[@konstantinkalashnikov8123]

*ADNT THE NEW!* *EZ MONEY CHAMP!*

[@CTLloydBanks]

Split decision win for Volk

[@nme_mma]

Wow his English 🔥

[@rejachemno]

Seeing Topuria with Merab makes me interested in Volk fighting them both

[@dustinkilburn]

Dude has all the confidence, as he should. Its either going to be a fantastic or miserable few months for him after this scrap Heart says volk tho We gotta good few months of scraps either way 🔥

[@saljewsteinbergowitz]

Eastern Europe has yet another champion. They really are just different.

[@gvitzman]

I've never said this before, and I think Volk is the best of all time in the division, but Ilia will beat Volk. The new king of the division in Topuria.

[@wasimdan6475]

I like both fighters, but i think topuria shocks everyone.

[@zs8796]

llia is such a chad.

[@user-ut1wi6yh6u]

🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@Bigdaddynando]

It’s simple, Alex is old and he’s got too many miles on him, he barely beat Holloway twice. He only beat him convincingly once. Ilia is the real deal. He’s hungry and he’s ready. Idk why everyone riding Alex nuts so hard. Everyone must lose at one point. I’m going with ilia.

[@blessedxxiii8908]

🌹💯

[@KL87X]

Schmooooo!!

[@SK-qf7uz]

Remember when the had Topuria fighting Ryan Hall? Can't believe that happened, easy money. #AndNew