Ilia Topuria made a significant mark in the UFC at the recent UFC 298 main event by knocking out Alexander Volkanovski and claiming the featherweight title at 145 pounds. The bout saw a changing of the guard as Topuria landed a clean right hand, leaving Volkanovski lying against the fence. This victory marked Volkanovski's first loss in the featherweight division, after successfully defending his title five times.

Volkanovski, who spoke highly of Topuria's skills, acknowledged that one well-placed strike can change the course of a fight. Despite his loss, Volkanovski refused to dwell on excuses and expressed his desire for a rematch to redeem himself. The official scorecards revealed that Volkanovski was leading after the first round, but Topuria's finish ultimately ended his impressive five-year reign as the featherweight champion.

In the post-fight press conference, Volkanovski remained positive and insisted that he felt good during the bout and was confident until the knockout blow. The defeated champion emphasized the need for a rematch, stating that the outcome would be different next time. Topuria's victory over the long-reigning champion has stirred anticipation for a potential rematch between the two skilled fighters in the near future.