Tag: UFC 305

Ilia Topuria denies Joe Rogan’s claim he turned down Alexander Volkanovski rematch for UFC 305

Ilia Topuria rejects Joe Rogan’s notion that he turned down an offer to rematch Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 305 in Australia.

[autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] rejects the notion that he turned down a rematch with [autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag] at UFC 305 in Australia.

With the octagon headed back to Perth for a pay-per-view event on Aug. 18 and Topuria (15-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) not having a fight scheduled for his first featherweight title defense, longtime UFC commentator [autotag]Joe Rogan[/autotag] recently stated that a rematch with Volkanovski (26-4 MMA, 13-3 UFC) was presented to the champion.

“I don’t know who he wants to fight next,” Rogan said during a conversation with Max Holloway on a recent episode of the “JRE MME Show” podcast. “But I guess he feels like he’s the champ, he can call the shots. I know that he turned down the Perth one – 305, the Volkanovski rematch.”

Topuria defeated Volkanovski by second-round knockout at UFC 298 in February to become 145-pound champion. Given Volkanovski’s resume during his stint on top, many, including himself, believed an immediate rematch was in order. But with Volkanovski taking a second consecutive knockout loss in the fight after being defeated by Islam Makhachev in October, there was a belief Volkanovski should take a long layoff, which opened the door for another contender.

Holloway charged through that door at UFC 300 when he knocked out Justin Gaethje in spectacular fashion to claim the BMF title, and all signs point to a showdown with Topuria, which Volkanovski said he thinks “Blessed” will win with ease.

Topuria clearly caught wind of these narratives, evident by the fact that he issued a response Wednesday on social media, sternly denying Rogan’s claim and poking fun at Volkanovski for his prediction of a Holloway fight (via X and Instagram):

https://www.instagram.com/p/C6bwmdgs1Fx/

Now it remains to be seen what comes next for Topuria. He’s insisted Holloway must put the BMF title on the line too when they meet for the featherweight strap and has once again emphasized it’s a non-negotiable term, otherwise he will push to defend against Brian Ortega instead.

Holloway was amused by Topuria’s latest comments, and issued a fiery reply (via X):

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Robert Whittaker: Israel Adesanya fighting for a UFC title again ‘hurts me’

The possibility of Israel Adesanya becoming champion again doesn’t spell out good news for Robert Whittaker.

The possibility of [autotag]Israel Adesanya[/autotag] becoming champion again doesn’t spell out good news for [autotag]Robert Whittaker[/autotag].

Middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis hinted in an Instagram post that he could be defending his title against Adesanya (24-3 MMA, 13-3 UFC) at UFC 305 Aug. 17 at RAC Arena in Perth, Western Australia.

“Looks like someone wants another beating in Aus..
I’m in, I also wouldn’t want to fight the king of Africa on home soil. Manifestations working good for you AGAIN!”

https://www.instagram.com/p/C5Q-BMlNnLH/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading

Whittaker’s fight vs. Khamzat Chimaev (13-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) June 22 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was declared a No. 1 contender bout by UFC CEO Dana White.

But considering that Whittaker (25-7 MMA, 16-5 UFC) has already lost to Adesanya twice in title fights, “The Stylebender” becoming champion could harm his chances at another title shot.

“I think Adesanya fighting for a title again hurts me, but I understand,” Whittaker said on his MMArcade Podcast. “Dricus asked for it. He’s the champ, gets what he wants. Adesanya is a draw. Mate, it seems like the fight that was going to happen, in my opinion.”

If Adesanya is indeed next, he will look to rebound from his upset championship loss to Sean Strickland this past September at UFC 293. Whittaker broke down how he sees the former champion fairing against Du Plessis.

“It’s an interesting fight,” Whittaker said. “I can see Adesanya just piecing him up for five rounds. But in saying that, Dricus is tough as nails, and he’s awkward. I can also see Dricus just getting in there and just making it awkward, and taking him out of his rhythm.

“We saw when Adesanya fought Strickland, Strickland pushing that pace and moving into his space changed the rhythm of the fight. Adesanya didn’t adapt to that very well. I think if Dricus does the same, he might have the same sort of success.”

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UFC announces multiyear deal for twice-annual events in Perth starting with UFC 305

The UFC is back in Perth for two events this year.

The UFC will be back back in Perth for two events this year.

UFC 305 will take place Aug. 17 at RAC Arena in Perth, Western Australia, promotion officials announced Thursday. The second event will be a Fight Night at a date still to be determined.

“Perth, I am so excited to be coming back,” UFC CEO White said in the press release. “After a record-breaking event in 2023, I can’t wait to bring another massive pay-per-view to Western Australia. Perth is a world-class city with some of the most passionate fight fans I’ve ever seen – UFC 305 is going to be incredible!”

UFC 305 will mark the promotion’s third pay-per-view event. UFC 221, which took place in February 2018, was headlined by an interim middleweight title fight between Yoel Romero and Luke Rockhold. Romero won the fight by knockout, but wasn’t eligible to become champion after missing weight.

The UFC then returned to Perth in February 2023, when Australia’s own Alexander Volkanovski challenged lightweight champion Islam Makhachev for the title in the main event of UFC 284. Volkanovski fell short in a tightly contested battle.