Fans shocked by what Ilia Topuria said to Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 face-off

UFC fans can't believe what Ilia Topuria said to Alexander Volkanovksi during the face-off following their pre-fight press conference.

Volkanovski and Topuria came face-to-face ahead of their massive UFC featherweight title showdown this weekend.

Topuria copied Conor McGregor's iconic moment against Jose Aldo as he snatched Volkanovski's belt.

But the 27-year-old, who has been extremely confident in the build-up, surprised fight fans with what he said to the Australian champion during their face-off.

After their presser, Volkanovski and Topuria faced off against each other, with a video revealing exactly what the challenger said.

"I respect you as a person and as a professional," said Topuria. "I’m just following my dreams."

“I respect you as a person and as a professional. I’m just following my dreams.”

Respect. pic.twitter.com/8nEStqYAMg

— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) February 16, 2024

Considering he's been very, very brash in the build-up to UFC 298, fans were left stunned at his conversation with the UFC featherweight king.

One X user wrote: "The politest 'I’m gonna kick your ass soon, but it’s not personal'."

A second tweeted: "This is why I love MMA."

A third added: "If only they would all have respect for each other. I get trash talk but this is so much better."

A fourth said: "I can't tell you how much I love this. No sh*t talk about their families, childhoods, etc. Just pure respect. This fight is going to be awesome!"

Another commented: "And just like that Topuria is who the people wanna see win."

Topuria is in an extremely confident mood ahead of competing in his first UFC championship bout.

And he likes his chances in the match-up, claiming his opponent isn't a 'finisher'.

Speaking at UFC media day, he said: "I understand that he doesn’t have knockout power. I have knockout power. He goes on volume, that’s how he wins his fights. He’s not a finisher, when a fight goes to the ground, he’s not known for finishing.

"So I’m a different breed and I’m going to beat him up. If he doesn’t believe it, if that’s not what he thinks, and whoever thinks the contrary, screw them."