Featured Image Credit: Getty/UFC
Topics: UFC, Alexander Volkanoski, Conor McGregor
Nasir Jabbar
Ilia Topuria copied Conor McGregor's iconic moment against Jose Aldo during last night's UFC 298 pre-fight press conference.
Topuria challenges Alexander Volkanovski for the UFC featherweight title this weekend in Anaheim, California, at UFC 298.
The 27-year-old enters his first UFC championship showdown full of confidence, having won all six of his bouts inside the famed Octagon, which includes an extremely dominant victory over perennial contender Josh Emmett in his last outing.
In the build-up to UFC 298, Topuria has talk trashed and dismissed the threat of Volkanovski as he oozes confidence.
And during the UFC 298 pre-fight press conference on Thursday, the Spanish fighter channeled his inner McGregor as he snatched the champion's belt from him in a crazy moment.
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He raised aloft the belt, then squared up to Volkanovski, who was relatively calm considering the heated situation - unlike Aldo, who exploded in rage at McGregor.
Topuria has been likened to McGregor following his ascent to UFC superstardom.
UFC legend Daniel Cormier believes the 27-year-old is 'setting himself up' to have a similar rise as the 'Notorious'.
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"[Topuria’s confidence] reminds me of Conor about to fight Jose Aldo," Cormier said on his YouTube channel.
"He told you, and he was so sure that he was going to get it done that you knew that if it happened, he would become a star that we’ve never seen in the UFC before or in fighting.
"So, when it happened, he went to the moon. I feel like Ilia Topuria is setting himself up to have that type of ascent if he can deliver on all of the promises that he is making."
Topuria is not just unbeaten in the UFC but also his professional MMA career as he boasts an impressive 14-0 record.
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He has big wins over the aforementioned Emmett, Bryce Mitchell, Jai Herbert, Ryan Hall, Damon Jackson and Youssef Zalal in his UFC career as he looks to become UFC champion.