Volkanovski (27-5 MMA, 14-4 UFC), who saw his first featherweight title reign come to an end at the hands of Topuria by knockout at UFC 298 in February 2024, urges fighters to try and grapple "El Matador," and push him to unchartered waters.

Paul Rimmer thinks his star pupil, Paddy Pimblett, is a better fighter than UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria.

After winning the vacant lightweight title with a first-round knockout of Charles Oliveira at UFC 317, Topuria (17-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) anticipates the first challenger to his reign will be longtime rival Pimblett (23-3 MMA, 7-0 UFC), who entered the cage for a faceoff after his win.