🐐 EVEN ILIA TOPURIA CALLS HIM THE FEATHERWEIGHT GOAT! Despite knocking out Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298, Ilia Topuria recently declared that “The Great” is the greatest featherweight in MMA history. Topuria acknowledged that while he defeated both Volkanovski and Max Holloway, Volk’s longevity, dominance, and accomplishments at 145 pounds put him above everyone else. He even admitted that he respects Volkanovski so much that he no longer wants to fight him again. 🤝 Following his recent TKO victory over Movsar Evloev at UFC 333, Volkanovski now holds the record for the most featherweight title fight wins in UFC history with nine. When even the man who dethroned you calls you the GOAT, that says everything. 👑 Do you agree with Topuria, or is José Aldo still your featherweight GOAT? 👀 For more UFC content, please consider following @mmasterclass_! #ufc #mma #goat #sports #australia
Ilia Topuria has named Alexander Volkanovski the greatest featherweight in MMA history, even though he knocked the Australian out at UFC 298.
Topuria said he beat both Volkanovski and Max Holloway, but argued that Volkanovski's longevity, dominance and accomplishments at 145 pounds place him above everyone else in the weight class. He also said he respects Volkanovski so much that he no longer wants to fight him again.
The comments land shortly after Volkanovski's latest win. He stopped Movsar Evloev in the second round at UFC 333 on October 24, 2026, a result that gave him the record for most featherweight title fight wins in UFC history with nine.
The fighters
Topuria is 17-1-0 and ranked number one at lightweight and number one pound-for-pound. The 29-year-old Spaniard, who trains out of Climent Club, finished Holloway in the third round at UFC 308 and Charles Oliveira in the first round at UFC 317. His most recent recorded fight was a fourth-round TKO loss to Justin Gaethje in a title fight at UFC Freedom 250 on June 14, 2026. He lands 4.81 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy.
Volkanovski, 38, is 29-4-0 and holds the featherweight title. He is ranked number three pound-for-pound. The Australian from Freestyle Fighting Gym beat Diego Lopes by unanimous decision in both of their fights, at UFC 314 and UFC 325, before the Evloev stoppage. He lands 5.98 significant strikes per minute at 56 percent accuracy.
Why it matters
- The two have met once. Topuria knocked Volkanovski out in the second round at UFC 298 on February 17, 2024, so the endorsement comes from the man who ended his reign.
- Volkanovski's nine featherweight title fight wins are now a UFC record, which is the kind of résumé Topuria pointed to.
- The numbers show a clear gap in output: Volkanovski out-lands Topuria by 1.17 significant strikes per minute and is eight percentage points more accurate.
- Topuria is now a lightweight, and his remark that he does not want a rematch suggests no return to 145 pounds is in his plans.
