If Sean O’Malley wants to fight Ilia Topuria, Alexander Volkanovski says he better do it quickly.
Bantamweight champion O’Malley (18-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC) called out featherweight champion Topuria (15-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) after putting on a lopsided beating on Marlon Vera Saturday in the UFC 299 headliner.
With Volkanovski (26-4 MMA, 13-3 UFC) looking to get an immediate rematch against Topuria, who dethroned him by knockout at UFC 298, the former champion warns O’Malley that he won’t get his wish if he waits.
“He called out Ilia,” Volkanovski said on his YouTube channel. “Look, unless you fight Ilia anytime soon, if yous can do a turnaround anytime soon, I guess you can have him. I’m having a little rest, but I’m fighting him later in the year, or whenever that is.
“I know I’m fighting for the title next. So if you are going to try to squeeze that in, it better be soon because I’m next. There’s your little window, if you want it. Sean, congratulations on your victory, impressive.”
A quick turnaround would be highly unlikely for O’Malley, who was sporting a cast on his hand and foot after the fight. UFC CEO Dana White dismissed the idea of O’Malley vs. Topuria next, and so did Topuria himself, who suggested O’Malley fight Merab Dvalishvili first.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 299.
