Ilia Topuria discusses his confidence ahead of UFC 298 title fight vs. Alex Volkanovski | ESPN MMA

[@like2jo4796]

Topuria didn't use a single cuss word never attacked Volk's personal life or anything like that he is only hyping the fight and marketing himself idk how u all can be so soft to get triggered for this.

[@thecat7105]

People can't stand when someone has actual confidence and says what they feel

[@JulioEuropePharmaVendor]

They don’t wanna see an European champion

[@lestwins8114]

​@@thecat7105 💯💯💯

[@DamianAlvarado13]

He’s doing a good job 👍

[@heavensubculture]

Volk fans can’t cope

[@adriangonzalez5200]

Translation is poor. At 9:14, the translation is not "I'm going to open spaces that I will be able to take advantage of" The right translation is: "I will force him to open spaces and I will punch him in ways he doesn't even know is possible to punch" Saludos desde Burgos

[@palerewin]

🥶

[@brawlboy1382]

Cold

[@NomadicBloke1]

The translation is correct, delivers the same message but professionally.

[@ovo3474]

💪🏻

[@josemariagarcianunez1983]

Burgos manda

[@thegoldensnitch6312]

Haven’t seen rising featherweight this confident since Artem Lobov

[@causeofdeath5592]

Connor?😂

[@zorlockts5744]

Artem owns connor ​@@causeofdeath5592

[@MegaMarky82]

🤣🤣🤣🤌🤌

[@Undefeated0-0]

Go watch volk, kamarus, ddp etc story, they had the same confidence.

[@johnkarloroxas3759]

offcourse the goat artem is confident, he is undefeated

[@marsbrown4834]

Is it my imagination, or is this fight now one of the most anticipated in recent memory because of its immense competitive nature and the promise of off the chart skills.

[@LuisMatheus-o7q]

Charles vs Islam was most anticipated IMO. The hype and speculation these days were unreal.

[@duenodeactivisionblizzard5478]

​@@LuisMatheus-o7qno

[@duenodeactivisionblizzard5478]

​@@LuisMatheus-o7qilia is undefeated and young. A new star. Olivera lost many times.

[@michaelbeard4883]

this is the first potential goat vs next generation match up it’s like gsp hendrix,jones reyes,Aldo vs Max

[@like2jo4796]

​@user-lo5vf5mt5d well it was agreed and when we talk about recently this is the one

[@Locusto199]

The confidence is crazy. He’s either gonna be a star, or get embarrassed by the outcome. Great fight, love both guys.

[@MrDioXIII]

Playing a very dangerous game but the payoff if he does it will be immense.

[@TakeNoPrisoners]

Even if he looses, he won’t be embarrassed like others, he’s still exciting, still a killer and very young, but will be a good humbling experience for sure..

[@n1troz_]

Imagine this is Conor 2.0 lmao Ilia will be what Conor is to Ireland to Spain

[@bushidoh8316]

Big risk big reward.

[@DyingBreed8]

Nah...conor was special. This guy isnt special like that. He could be a champ someday though. ​@@n1troz_

[@giorgigorgodze3493]

It is so funny to see how people get provoced by Ilia and hate him without a reason. He is not disrespectful, he never attacked Alex personally. He keeps it to the fight.

[@PepeAgain1025]

Are you braindeas he is literally overlooking a champ and acting as if he already has won the fight.

[@antoniozs6616]

The IG move with the ahead 15-0 🌹 was a stupid move by Ilia in my opinion.

[@alvaroubeda4368]

​@@antoniozs6616 But that's just business, he does it bc he wants people to talk about him and he is doing it pretty well

[@Tyler-if1zd]

@@PepeAgain1025So?

[@papichulo5465]

So? So the OP said that he isn't disrespectful when that is in fact disrespectful and hes given reasons for people to hate him. Durrrrr. @@Tyler-if1zd

[@joshs4158]

As an Aussie and Volk fan, I hate to admit this interview has made me like Ilia. Surprisingly respectful but confident.

[@marcopelaezfernandez4573]

Finally he made a decent one . He was getting too cocky and many of us ( Spanish fans) Started to dislike some of his speeches. He always respected Volk in a way where he didnt mention anything related with family, country, religion or things like that but he cross the line somehow. Still a good guy

[@stephenr80]

Ilias english is still developing. That's why he repeated same things a lot to hype the fight. In spanish he is very fluid and articulate and he seems even more humble, serious and respectfull. Cocky and confident too of course but different.

[@forevermma9926]

Already getting ready to jump ship

[@claudemakelele2856]

This guy is define a superstar. And his stardom took almost everyone by surprise. He looks cool, behaves cool. It's amazing.

[@tvm2209]

Not only a professional af fighter but also human - respect bruv

[@vivalaskelton]

It’s called Manifestation and patterning. Do not be surprised if he dominates Volk. This is not delusion on Topuria’s part. The man genuinely believes he’s going to do what he says. It isn’t for clout. Whether or not he does it is another question but a man with this level of confidence is the most dangerous

[@Temerio]

this guy knows

[@AT-qu2bz]

Everyone has infinite confidence until they get a reality check

[@DeterminedFC]

not true allot of people have facade confidence they dnt believe it they just do it cus they think thats what they are supposed to do ...@@AT-qu2bz

[@maskarovevo]

​@@AT-qu2bzwe gonna have to find out

[@lollercoaster4]

Yeah and when he's getting his face punched in at warp speed reality will set in and he'll lose that "cool" This dude is not nearly as good as he tries to portray himself. Volk is going to expose him. I remember all this talk before the Yair fight too "this one is different" 🤣 Yeah okay, thanks for the free money.

[@goyasmind]

What people don't realise here, is both IIia and Anik, are in fact standing.

[@TimbobmiT]

standing on ladders 😂

[@YourMomXD1337]

Ilia will ko Volk inside 1 round 😢

[@Vebol785]

Topuria is taller than volk u clown

[@porkerpete7722]

Standing on their money.

[@-.6666.-]

Ha

[@adriribau]

Ilia improved also his english! so happy for him, it’s important to transmit confidence when you are making interviews in a foreign language

[@mithunnair8587]

If topuria can win this, it would be huge for him and Spanish MMA

[@niconicoo5661]

Georgian mma aswell afterall he is georgian

[@Ktmfan450]

​@@niconicoo5661You can only have one fighter on this card win

[@MegaMarky82]

How did you work that out you absolute genius 🤣

[@777Electric]

Or German MMA...or Georgian MMA.

[@JulioEuropePharmaVendor]

Europe mma all together

[@MrToadGaming]

At his age Illia is definitely a future champ even if he losses on his first attempt

[@MenoftheCulture]

This guy is the perfect bond villain

[@kratosofspartareal]

This is a very composed and focused individual. A dangerous guy. Even if he loses this fight, I still see his path leading to the FW title within the next year or so 💯

[@Xgen_Tiago]

Respect to Ilia, mans super confident but respectful as well, champion caliber fighter 🔥

[@sainttrunks1982]

sike

[@Claybombx]

Dork​@@sainttrunks1982

[@Xgen_Tiago]

@@sainttrunks1982 u must be feeling dumb rn 😂

[@LastZiii]

Sending all the best wishes to Ilia Topuria, as well as to both Georgia and Spain! 🇬🇪❤️🇪🇸 May his journey in the UFC bring pride and joy to both nations, showcasing the incredible talent and spirit that transcends borders. Good luck to Ilia and may he continue to inspire and unite fans around the world!

[@paatakvitsinadze4339]

Let’s go my homeboy ilia 🇬🇪 🇪🇸 I like Volk have much respect for Volk but I have to support ilia ❤️🫶

[@georgezagr6627]

I rate Volk as one of the best to ever do it but I have a feeling Ilia is the new king in this division. And new

[@gabriellordjohnson3318]

You were right!

[@ryanisfollin]

Ilia looks like a straight killer. And he performs like one. Can’t wait for this fight

[@HenryCejudoTripIeC]

25 seconds into the interview and Anik is capping. The Leech is the best dressed fighter for sure.

[@DeterminedFC]

nah

[@dusan550]

Imagine making a fan account on Henry Cejudo of all people.

[@pronto7362]

@@dusan550hes a legend

[@pat5262]

@@pronto7362 imagine being a man and making an account of another man

[@zotirides9293]

Jon you are the best, Cheers from Georgia You see that, Ilia is very respectful to Volk It was a great Interview!

[@HeliodromusScorpio]

Man he wore the same outfit on the last conference, he is like a videogame character

[@dogestranding5047]

Ilia looks like he could be a Bond villain fr. Like a high-ranking member of Spectre or something.

[@bewiththetruthalways5637]

Ilia has a great personality

[@Vikotnick]

Venga España! Un abrazo de Mallorca!

[@dd1986bb]

The part when ilia said "I think I'm better than volk everywhere" and anik asked "who was your hardest opponent?" 😂 "It's okay don't need to answer"

[@zulu_rdrgz]

Ilia Topuria inspires me to be the best version of myself ever ⭐️

[@Coreeeeee_E]

Anik crushed him with "who has been your toughest fight?" "You don't have to answer that."😅😂

[@LaForce1notdone]

Yeah because it’s gonna be Volk, he fought cans so far. It’s either Volk will embrass him badly that dude mutes comments or he stands on his own .

[@veluta2549]

@@LaForce1notdoneCasual lol he’s gonna knock out volk

[@drbray]

​@@veluta2549 nothing is guaranteed in this sport

[@beastieking1]

@@LaForce1notdoneuseless hyperbole josh, Bryce, Ryan are not cans

[@marcopelaezfernandez4573]

@@LaForce1notdone before fighting them they werent cans, they became cans after Topuria :) We know your speech.

[@omard1693]

Jon Anik is such a chill interviewer man

[@kupshy]

Audio quality is really up the creek with this interview...

[@richardgodfrey921]

HIS ENGLISH IS SPOT ON. AND HE IS DEFINATELY A WORLD CLASS FIGHTER..

[@loveforthe90s]

Jon Anik!!!! Let’s go!!!

[@DonOrFinito]

Calm down

[@Locusto199]

I don’t understand, please translate to English 😂.

[@tyler4661]

@@DonOrFinitocalm ur mom down

[@Kidmma]

BOT!

[@loveforthe90s]

@@tyler4661 ohhhh!!!!!!

[@deukaerocksspain1785]

Vamos Ilia🇪🇦 Tienes el apoyo de toda España y Georgia

[@rrai-]

Pero eres china

[@JulioEuropePharmaVendor]

buena suerte desde alemania ! :)

[@pantelemoni1]

@@rrai- Que tiene que ver eso...🤔

[@rrai-]

@@pantelemoni1 todo

[@stephenr80]

Aupa!!!

[@yvngkidbuu6364]

They had to use Jon instead of Megan bc she'd be dripping wet the whole time

[@Ktmfan450]

How do you know Jon isn't?

[@draco2xx]

i can't believe that ooompa looompa bagged her😂😂

[@nickk7425]

​@@Ktmfan450Hahahahahaha

[@blakedickenson2394]

That’s some 14 year old high schooler comment if I’ve ever seen one

[@yvngkidbuu6364]

@@Ktmfan450 Jon knows how to hide a stiffy better than anyone

[@AarontheGreat89]

Anik is very well spoken. I need someone like Anik to help my company

[@TB-hw1dr]

Good interview. 👌🏽

[@michaelsullivan6193]

Both are class act fighters ,no disrespect to each other,time for a new champ but volk is the man right now,volk is legend already.

[@geverniveup]

The funniest thing I’ve heard in years is Jon being fashion blind enough to say Kamaru usman was the best dressed guy in the ufc😂

[@Ktmfan450]

Dude was iconic

[@1994mrmysteryman]

Kamaru Usman was exceptionally well dressed. Just because you don't like it, that's a you problem.

[@UnTangledUrn]

Sounds like you need to get outta the closet.

[@Pandemomium4Life]

@@1994mrmysteryman Any man who wears leopard print is a curse to the wardrobe 😂

[@geverniveup]

@@Pandemomium4Life dude exactly! Hired some goofy stylist from Zoolander and said make me look cool 😂😂😂

[@HickxiMMA]

To say volk won't be ready for a strategic approach is wild, volk and his camp are some of the best at gameplanning, he literally approaches every fight differently.

[@IsenathiDyantyi]

Topuria🙏🏿🇬🇪🇪🇸🇩🇪

[@skadar6950]

Ok Ilia I am very exited now to see your unique strategy for the fight

[@SpikeLace-bo8xg]

If he's pulls it off it will be one for the ages being tho as he called his shot and volk being who he is could be legendary

[@MorningPeacock97]

The only champion that I actually like 🔥

[@-Denisa-]

This is the most nervous i got for a Volkanovski's fights in the FW division.

[@adey1434]

Both Fighters are legit and talented. this fight can go 50/50.

[@tusharkumar2652]

Going to be a really good fight.

[@julianjay9640]

He’s just turned 27 he’s still so young

[@Foob2TheR]

Can you imagine how insane it would be if he finishes Volk in the first round, with a head kick?

[@N.M.T.K]

Topuria 🎖️ Battle Born ⚔️

[@drebr9721]

One of my favorite fighters to watch. Tough , hard hitter and a phenomenal boxer. His and Leon Edwards are fighting styles I could see myself having if I were a UFC fighter. With that said I'm a big volk fan so I'm torn on this. Excited for Saturday!!!

[@orthodoxboxing9159]

“Tough, hard, hitter, and a phenomenal boxer.” He started as a Greco Roman wrestler and a jiu jitsu player and has more submissions than knockouts.

[@drebr9721]

@@orthodoxboxing9159 i didn't know that. That's good to know

[@stephenr80]

​@@drebr9721😊

[@blessembreaks]

U cant convince me that thumbnail isnt Kenny Forian

[@sauceboss3129]

This fight is a super fight!

[@treddah]

He’s a legit contender man. Why the hate. Everyone’s sketched out because they know this is risky. Go on Volk 🤟🏼

[@roachmancam9012]

Ilia looks like if connor McGregor did the fusion dance with max Holloway and they sprinkled in a little Robert deniro lip flexing here and there

[@Sparky-if9sn]

Those are some extreme circumstances but sure 🤷

[@stephenr80]

​@@Sparky-if9snhh

[@stevenak7209]

​​@user-vi9zm5ss4fCalling someone casual for no reason makes you more casual. He is just bringing a perception of Ilia haha.

[@zGJungle]

Seemed humble and confident to me, no attitude, just confidence.

[@davidadamashvili2894]

Ilia Topuria is the best.

[@rm-lv8ex]

Jon Anik is such a good interviewer

[@Mcfc2Rich]

Why are they sat so close?

[@goyasmind]

Both are 5 foot 2.

[@fortsniped3073]

They love each other 🧔🏻‍♂️👨🏽‍🦲

[@ClaudioMartella]

So they fit the frame

[@MrGonzaable]

HAJAJAJAJAJAJ

[@me_need_reset]

mma media guys feel left out unless they get to do some kind of face-off

[@Anthony-dj4nd]

Love the one on one interviews before the fight❤

[@CallmeVuks]

Jon: How are you feeling today? Ilia: I am feel, I'm very feel😂

[@dartacus.spartacus1988]

This is gunna be a banger honestly no idea who to pick.

[@fortsniped3073]

Congrats to Volk on his 4th child! Can’t wait to see the look on his face when he brings home his first son 🙌

[@goofygoof212]

Yeah hopefully illia likes grandpa islam….29-0 khabib the goat

[@johnnyforsythe9713]

Illia is dilusional

[@vincentw3566]

???​@@goofygoof212

[@vincentw3566]

​@@goofygoof212khabib cant be the GOAT, his victories were like in boxing, pure cans in Rusia

[@iliailuridze9158]

Talk when volk gets sleeped

[@hx24662]

Jon ANik, youre the best man! Great interview

[@bboybreezi2417]

I'm a volk fan but respect to Illia his confidence is awesome we're gonna have a great fight. Awesome to see Spain fans explode in ufc let's go!! 💪🙏

[@stephenr80]

The better man shall win. Greetings from Spain to the mighty Australia!!!! Let's f goooooo🎉🎉🎉

[@alexandre9981]

Very confident, and backed it up. He's just playing the game, even if the film was a bit to much of a stretch. Volk fan but can't wait for this one 👌🏻

[@jayhamiltonwild]

In Australia we would say this kid looks like a sleezy car salesman or real estate agent 😂 let's go Volk 💪

[@sentolt7460]

Definite Real Estate agent living on borrowed money with a large cocaine habit

[@Giorginho]

Volk dresses like a 16 year old. Stop it

[@sentolt7460]

@@Giorginho he wears a pretty nice belt though

[@n1troz_]

@@sentolt7460damn bro you just unbuckled that belt and did TRICKS ON it

[@n1troz_]

@@Giorginhobros 40 wearing palm angels

[@SamirNinche]

So impressive how disciplined topuria is.

[@Highlander1432]

Finally a fighter speaking proper Spanish the way it was designed to be spoken. Ilia is very classy fighter

[@GreenGrassOfTunnels]

His Spanish is not that good, and I'm a native speaker

[@draco2xx]

cubans, puerto ricans and dominicans butcher the spanish language😂

[@jorrba3934]

What do you mean finally? Can you elaborate more further who you’re referring to?

[@Highlander1432]

@jorrba3934 You know some of these guys their Spanish is as bad as their English Very disheartening for Native English speakers who yearn to learn Spanish

[@bleach7958]

@@draco2xxhow do you feel about Mexicans speaking Spanish?

[@Jgvalls]

His mind is on another level, the winner level.

[@2g4u7y]

Illia has lost his damned mind if he thinks he’s going to walk through Volk. Reminds me of Katar’s first fight after his loss to Max. Everyone doubted him on the comeback.

[@matejpetrovic7312]

Yeah but kattar had 13 months off, Volk has 3

[@dominiceliakim4617]

Illia....is.....that....guy.

[@madgavin7568]

​@@dominiceliakim4617 So is Volk, he's still the guy.

[@DyingBreed8]

Ilia hasn't fought anyone that will be competing for a title and skipped the line to the title shot. This isn't good for the sport because it makes so the guys who are up and coming can study for guys like Volk without facing the killers of the division. Topuria probably has a gameplan that was tailored for him long ago to beat Volk. Will it work? Who knows until we see the fight.

[@akshayazariah]

I love when people say this. You absolutely *need* that level of delusion to make it big. It may seem foolish to the fans, but good luck achieving hypersuccess without the disconnect required for it.

[@jordanm3996]

Good for him. Nothing wrong the confidence and nothing wrong with what he is doing. We all love Topuria fights, you cant deny that and if he wins he has set himself up to be a super star.

[@shootdices]

topuria doesnt get enough credit and hes a classy guy he's right ryan hall was the most ducked guy in the featherweight division, he takes a super short notice fight against a 6'1 lightweight, he almost fought masorv but masorv ended up pulling out. don't get how you can hate on him honestly he's confident and respects volk a lot but he for sure has something to prove I love volk but this could be a difficult task.

[@IFAMILYIH]

If dude was so good he would have fought Max Holloway who is clearly the real number 2 of the division

[@porkerpete7722]

​@@IFAMILYIHits clear the UFC didnt want him to fight Holloway yet. If he wins the title, he will definately fight Holloway. Holloway is a gatekeeper.

[@giorgitezelashvili7060]

@@IFAMILYIH And he said he would fight Max after the Emmet fight but only in Spain😄🤷🏻‍♂️

[@dkurt2725]

​@@IFAMILYIH topuria wanted max fight in spain so what is your point and what he was supposed to do f the belt leta wait max?

[@madgavin7568]

Ryan Hall wasn't ducked, he cherry picked his opponents. Topuria was one of those that went wrong.

[@D-A-N-]

JON ANIK IS THEBEST

[@hybrid-studios]

Did they really just post this at 215 in the morning

[@Ktmfan450]

I think it's more normal in Europe

[@scoobertdoobert3373]

Bro doesn't know the concept of time zones

[@destrom6845]

Dude thinks He is the Main Charakter. Whos telling him that hes not the Center of the World?

[@spreiik]

@@scoobertdoobert3373he’s American, does it really surprise you?

[@marsbrown4834]

Hehe

[@LemonWater4532]

I’m similar to Ilia in the sense that I have Georgian parents and Georgian heritage, but a different nationality (I’m American born & raised). I look hope to see Ilia become the first Georgian UFC champ ❤️💪👊

[@noahcaucasus]

Same here, I was watching the event and I noticed that they called him Spaniard about 6 times, but not a single time Georgian, even know they kept showing Georgian flag next to his name, I mean you can call him Spaniard he lives there and everything so that's fine, but he represents Georgia officially in UFC, so it was a bit puzzling that not even once word Georgian was mentioned, very weird.

[@Roy-on1ht]

Rooting for Topuria 💪

[@Lashiko92]

you can say what ever u want but its because of him that alot of ppl want to see the fight and when he will win the 17th ppl will realise how good this guy is 😉🌹

[@NikulPrasad]

Have a strange feeling Topuria has this

[@cameronfisher93]

that strange feeling is just me becoming your stepdad

[@igorz3551]

​@@cameronfisher93😂

[@JamieMcilreavy]

This fight is gonna be a banger 2 highly confident fighters

[@kryterz]

You know you're over confident when you think you can wear a turtle neck, without being an 80's Bond villian.

[@thesilentassassin1167]

It looks pretty decent tho

[@jfc5246]

I just know your American

[@PhilippeGambino]

Turtle necks are class.

[@scoobertdoobert3373]

Or maybe that's just how the man likes to dress, you retards read into stuff too much.

[@kryterz]

@@jfc5246 Australian. I assumed you were since you don't know the difference between "you're" and "your"

[@waynzignordics]

This interview must have been filmed last month. Anik said "in February" as if it's not February right now.

[@moonlightcreation5091]

I want tuporia to win in 298 so we can get the rematch . The rematch will be bigger than this fight🎉

[@madgavin7568]

Volk losing two in a row diminishes Topuria's accomplishment.

[@moonlightcreation5091]

@@madgavin7568 no volk is not in 2 fight losing streak he lost ufc 294 but before he beat yair Rodriguez in ufc 290 .

[@madgavin7568]

@@moonlightcreation5091 Volk would lose two in a row if Topuria beats him.

[@moonlightcreation5091]

@@madgavin7568 ooo silly me i misunderstood it. U are right

[@innertuition7363]

dont care who beats any opponent in mma.. i just love the sport.... roll on sunday mornin for all these fights

[@stephenr80]

🎉🎉🎉

[@CharlieSquall]

bring the belt to Spain and Georgia 😊🇪🇦💪

[@fahimdoulatzai6962]

Topuria have everything to be superstar

[@theguvnor3880]

It's not confidence,it's arrogance when you think you can walk through an all time great. Conor had the same aura when fighting Aldo but his previous wins were highly credible.

[@ItsameAlex]

was mendes and porier highly credible?

[@theguvnor3880]

@@ItsameAlex They are compared to Emmett and Bryce Mitchel. It's also the manner in which Conor was dispatching guys.

[@madgavin7568]

McGregor was pompous himself but like you said, he backed it up in previous fights.

[@theguvnor3880]

@@madgavin7568 Topuria was also nearly finished by Jai.

[@riverads3817]

So, u r saying that if u face someone better than you, your mentality is that you are going to lose ? What a mentality of failures hidden behind humility.

[@nickk7425]

I like Illia, and i think it's awesome to see Spain be represented in the UFC. However, i believe Volk is going to show this guy why he is the current UFC champion..

[@evolution0fself]

9:54 believe conceive achieve

[@cratos900]

What a Saturday for Georgia 🇬🇪 this Saturday... Our first champion and in making and title shot for Merab 🎉🎉🎉

[@stephenr80]

Merab is a WORKER. Vamos Ilia viva Georgia !!!

[@XShollaj]

I want Ilia first to be humbled by Volk, then follow a redemption journey and get the belt after 1-2 years.

[@SkyGodKazuha]

Lol

[@3beans187]

The 15th rose 🌹

[@Landeater]

AAAAAND NEEEEEEEEW!!!

[@hectorbernal7]

Ilia's spanglish is great btw 🤙

[@lincelynx1869]

If he loses saturday it doesnt mean anything...in the next 4 years hes going to be top 3 pfp, feather-lightweight champion, and one of the best fighters in ufc history, come back to this comment in 4 years

[@Giorginho]

Yeah he is really doing a low risk high reward strategy by talking trash and hyping himself up. If he wins, he is an instant superstar. If he loses, he gets made fun of on twitter for two months and than comebacks, wins and people will stop the memes. Its that simple

[@MARBLEFLOWZ]

Pretty undeniable the work this cat has put in lately

[@SouzaxSouzax]

I remember when Jose Aldo use to be a champ for a long time then time catch up to him, I feel like volks time is coming to end this Saturday🤷🏻‍♂️

[@diegoramirez5121]

The interview champion is the house!

[@abacaxi6929]

The Spanish translation is really not good.. it is very paraphrased and some of his answer is lost every time he switches to Spanish