Alexander Volkanovski was in for a rude awakening from a young and promising 27-year-old Ilia Topuria, who became the first fighter to beat Volkanovski in the 145-pound division after he knocked him out cold at UFC 298 to become the new UFC Featherweight Champion.
After Jose Aldo, Conor McGregor, Max Holloway, and Alexander Volkanovski, Ilia Topuria is only the 5th UFC Featherweight champ in the company’s history.
I said it on my Podcast, Topuria like a pro boxer, speed, power, technique, vision, balance, calm & wastes nothing. See u Tuesday covering all. #UFC298
— Teddy Atlas (@TeddyAtlasReal) February 18, 2024
Following the victory, UFC fighters took to X to congratulate the newly crowned champ, Ilia Topuria, and share their thoughts on Volkanovski’s devastating loss.
Islam Makhachev, Dan Henderson, and Jamahal Hill, among others, react to Ilia Topuria’s KO of Volkanovski
Volkanovski’s former opponent, Islam Makhachev, took to X to share an encouraging message for the former featherweight champion. The loss against Topuria marked Volkanovski’s second successive defeat.
Alex is undeniably one of the greatest champion in the FW division. Keep your head up and come back strong!
Congrats to new champ Topuria, well done биджо !
— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) February 18, 2024
UFC veteran Dan Henderson, who was Octagon-side during the main event, shared how he heard Topuria‘s punch that shut the lights off Volkanovski.
Styles make fights and Topuria had the better hands. What should be next for Volk? #UFC298 https://t.co/csJ03V81xb
— Dan Henderson (@danhendo) February 18, 2024
Wow. I could hear that punch cageside. #UFC298
— Dan Henderson (@danhendo) February 18, 2024
Sitting in the “Fighters” row at UFC 298, you can see Justin Gaethje, Sean O’Malley, and Jamahal Hill’s reaction to the viral KO in the video below.
FIGHTERS ROW WAS STUNNED AFTER TOPURIA’S WIN 😳 #UFC298 pic.twitter.com/XaQn9WY1xF
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) February 18, 2024