Georgian-born Spanish UFC fighter Ilia Topuria challenged the promotion's current featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski after defeating Josh Emmett.
Topuria and Emmett faced each other in the main event of UFC on ABC 5, June 24 in Jacksonville. The fight was decided by unanimous decision for Ilia and lasted the whole distance. He has 14 wins and no losses under his belt.
I'm the next guy in the line. Who deserves more than me to fight for the title? No one else. So I'm the next guy. I showed it tonight that no one can match my level of skill inside the cage. I know that I can finish anyone in this division. So, Josh [Emmett] was tough tonight. But I beat him pretty easy. And it's not going to be different with Alex [Volkanovski].
Ilia Topuria after UFC on ABC 5
Volkanovski faces a title defense against Yair Rodriguez at UFC 290 on July 9. Alex had his last fight against Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title this past February at UFC 284. In that confrontation, Volkanovski was defeated by a unanimous decision of the judges. He has 25 wins and two losses under his belt.