Alexander Volkanovski, Ilia Topuria's Next Best Fights After UFC 298 Results
The UFC featherweight division has a new champion for the first time in over four years with Ilia Topuria defeating Alexander Volkanovski with a second-round knockout in the main event.
It's a crowning achievement that caps off an incredible rise in the UFC for Topuria. The undefeated Spanish fighter wasn't even on the UFC roster when Volkanovski became champion, now he's completed a quick rise through the ranks to sit atop a tough division.
The tough challenges certainly won't stop with the now former champion. A rematch is certainly a possibility but even if Volkanovski turns down that opportunity there are other tough fights out there.
A lot is going to hinge on what Volkanovski wants to do in the post-UFC 298 landscape. A rematch will obviously be on the table, but Volkanovski is an aging champion with the selling power to seek out some big fights in the next division if he wants to.
Considering all the possibilities, here's a look at the best next step for each of the UFC 298 main eventers.
Topuria: Movsar Evloev
We'll get to a potential rematch when we talk about Volkanovski's next best fight. For a moment, let's consider the possibility that Volkanovski is going to take this opportunity to focus on his pursuit of lightweight glory.
Heading into this fight, Volkanovski publicly offered to fight at lightweight in the event that UFC 300 would need a headliner.
Volkanovski is 35 years old and the cut down to 145 pounds isn't getting any easier. If The Great wants a rematch with Topuria it would only serve to add to his credibility as the new champion of the division.
But if Volkanovski wants to head up to 155 pound even after losing to Islam Makhachev twice, then we should be treated to a matchup of the unbeaten rising stars in the division.
Movsar Evloev ran his undefeated record up to 18-0 at UFC 297 with a unanimous decision win over Arnold Allen. There are certainly bigger names out there. Yair Rodriguez and Brian Ortega are set to fight next Saturday.
An Evloev vs. Topuria bout would usher in a new era of the featherweight division and set up new possibilities with the likes of Rodriguez and Ortega.
Volkanovski: Rematch with Ilia Topuria
If Alexander Volkanovski wants his rematch then it's a no-brainer that he should get the rematch. Regardless of how this match played out, Volkanovski easily falls in the category of the all-time greats who were given immediate opportunities to win their belt back.
Volkanovski defended his featherweight crown five times. Some champions have had a longer reign, but it's hard to beat the quality of challengers he turned away in that streak. He beat Max Holloway twice in his time as champion with fighters like Brian Ortega and Yair Rodriguez also on his docket.
Volkanovski has made overtures about going back to lightweight in hopes of capturing a second belt. After losing to Topuria, that seems less likely.
It's an option. His fights with Islam Makhacehv were competitive and a fight against someone like Michael Chandler would be an entertaining fight that could draw an audience.
However, Volkanovski's legacy is always going to be tied to his dominance in a division where he has already beat several of the best fighters to do it. Wins over Jose Aldo and Max Holloway are going to be a big part of his legacy.
Going back and getting the title that he lost would only add to that.