Alexander Volkanovski is visibly shaken after getting knocked out by Ilia Topuria at UFC 298: "Fu*k! What happened?"
Alexander Volkanovski's knockout loss to Ilia Topuria at UFC 298 was shocking to many, including the former featherweight kingpin himself. A clip has surfaced online showing the Australian legend's immediate reaction to being stopped by the surging Spaniard just a few months ago.
After a competitive round one, Volkanovski was flatlined in round two by a Topuria right hand. Upon regaining consciousness, 'The Great' was tended to by his cornermen and the cage-side physician. As he sat on his stool, a dazed Volkanovski asked about the end of the fight.
"Fu*k! What happened? What was it?"
Check out Alexander Volkanovski questioning what Ilia Topuria had hit him with:
Fighters generally do not remember the blow that knocked them unconscious, with former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou echoing a similar sentiment about his recent knockout loss to Anthony Joshua in the pair's boxing match. In Volkanovski's case, his knockout loss was a well-executed plan by Topuria.
The Australian often moves linearly, darted in and out of range along a straight line. Moreover, he has a habit of leaning back at the waist with his hands low. Topuria weaponized these variables to back Volkanovski up to the fence. With his foe sandwiched between him and the cage, 'El Matador' pounced.
A quick combination later and he had knocked out one of the greatest featherweights of all time, enthroning himself as the new 145-pound king. Volkanovski, though, is refusing to allow the loss to define him, vowing to reclaim his title as he waits for UFC 308 to play out.
Alexander Volkanovski was knocked out before UFC 298
A large chunk of the leadup to UFC 298 was defined by Alexander Volkanovski's relatively quick turnaround after being knocked out by Islam Makhachev just four months earlier at UFC 294. Many expressed concern over how soon he was returning to the octagon.
Check out Alexander Volkanovski's knockout loss to Islam Makhachev:
Unfortunately, 'The Great' was too stubborn for his own good, dismissing the concerns of those who felt he hadn't allowed his brain adequate time to heal from the physical trauma of Makhachev's head kick. Thus, when he faced Topuria, there were some who had predicted the knockout loss.