The main event for UFC 314 is seemingly confirmed to be a rematch between current featherweight champion Ilia Topuria and Alexander Volkanovski. Well, at least according to Bo Nickal.
UFC 314 Main Event Pairing Leaked By Bo Nickal
Speaking on his YouTube podcast yesterday, Nickals and Dimes, the surging middleweight prospect chatted with prominent NCAA heavyweight champion wrestler Greg Kerkvliet. While the majority of the video is dominated by topics about Kerkvliet’s wrestling career such as how his season is going and his time competing at the CJI, the focus of the conversation shifted to UFC 314.
After one of his friends suggested that reigning 155-lb king Islam Makhachev take on Topuria in his next bout, Nickal was quick to point out that the Spaniard would be facing “The Great” in Florida in April. While he did voice his appreciation for Volkanovski, Nickal does not see the former champion reclaiming his throne.
Bo Nickal Weighs In on UFC 314 Main Event
“They just announced Ilia and Volk. April, 314, I think? Ilia and Islam would be sick,” Nickal said. “I don’t know about an Ilia and Volk rematch. I mean I get it. Volk had to rematch Holloway a bunch of times. I love Volk. He’s great. I don’t see a path to victory for him.”
Back at UFC 298 last year, Volkanovski attempted to make the sixth consecutive defense of his 145-lb strap against the Georgian-born juggernaut in Topuria. Coming off a devastating defeat to Makhachev the previous October, this was the first time the Aussie had competed in his home weight class since UFC 290, where he stopped interim champion Yair Rodriguez by strikes.
Despite clinching the first round on the cards, the then pound-for-pound best fighter on the planet ended up being floored by a monster right hook from Topuria. Following “El Matador”‘s triumph over Max Holloway at UFC 308, both men seemingly agreed to a runback after Volkanovski was let into the cage.
Nickal Hungry For Slot on UFC 314
Although the anticipated second fight between the two featherweight titans hasn’t been officially announced by the UFC, Nickal is adamant that the pairing is a done deal. He also reveals that he has intentions to compete on the card as well.
“No, it’s official. I know for a fact. I don’t know if it’s announced, for a fact. But I know it’s happening for a fact. Inside sources. I’m announcing it…I might fight on that card. That’s a card I’m trying to fight on.”
A perfect 4-0 in the promotion so far, Nickal was last seen at UFC 309 in November, where he earned the biggest win of his mixed martial arts tenure in Paul Craig by unanimous decision. It was the first non-stoppage victory of his young career. Having dominated every single man he has faced in the cage, Nickal now finds himself perhaps just a stone’s throw away from the 185-lb top 15 in either his next contest or UFC 314 should he get his wish.