As Joe Rogan said on a recent episode of his podcast, Ilia Topuria didn't need any additional inspiration to believe that he was going to become the UFC featherweight champion.
At UFC 298, "El Matador" was crowned after he stopped the 145-pound great Alexander Volkanovski with a ruthless knockout.
Having not been stopped since his fourth pro fight, Volkanovski has now been on the end of two decisive knockouts in his last two fights.
The Aussie fighter was already planning to defend his title against Topuria when he got the call to step in on a few weeks notice to move up a weight class and face Islam Makhachev.
With Charles Oliveira out, a generous offer from the UFC and the chance to earn some revenge after he was beaten by Makhachev that same year, Volkanovski knew he had to say yes.
Joe Rogan Wishes We Could Have Seen Alexander Volkanovski Face Ilia Topuria Without Fighting At UFC 294
Whether or not Volkanovski's performance against Topuria was hindered by his knockout loss to Makhachev four months prior is debatable.
On The Joe Rogan Experience, elite grappler and coach of Volkanovski, Craig Jones, spoke about this with the UFC commentator.
Rogan believes that the knockout and quick turnaround undoubtedly affected Volkanovski at UFC 298.
This is a short amount of time and then everything kind of falls apart and I think it wouldn't have fallen apart if not for the rematch. If it wasn't for the rematch, if he just waited for Topuria, I got to think that head kick has a factor. I mean to get brained like that with a shin to the dome, which is the worst way to get knocked out, it's so much power in legs.
Rogan went on to say that he would have tried to talk Volkanovski out of taking the fight so that he could face Topuria in the best shape possible.
It's so tricky cuz I'm just such a huge Volk fan that I just wish I had his ear. I don't know if he would have listened to me but if I had his ear..."