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Henry Cejudo suspects Alexander Volkanovski’s decision-making may be influenced by ego.
In a rematch of their Fight of the Year contender from February,Volkanovski entered the lightweight title Volkanovski entered the lightweight title fight at UFC 294 with less than
two weeks’notice and took on Islam Makhachev. Unfortunately for Volkanovski, things did not go as well this time since Makhachev quickly dispatched the featherweight champion, knocking him out in the first round with a kick and punches.
After being stopped for the first time in ten years, Volkanovski stated that he still desired to turn around and face Ilia Topuria in January to defend his featherweight title, claiming that he required the prospect of a fight to prevent him from “doing my head in.” And Cejudo believes that Volkanovski made a mistake in every aspect of that.
On his YouTube channel, Cejudo stated, “I think the biggest mistake that Alexander could do is disclose a lot of who he is as a person to the people. What makes me say that? “I’m experiencing anxiety.” Guys, I need to keep busy. If I don’t stay active or engage in conflict, I go mad. You know what I’m going to do if I’m a competitor and I’m seeing all that, especially seeing him be knocked out? I intend to pick at him.
If I were Ilia and I knew he was concussed and that he suffers from anxiety or goes insane when he isn’t fighting, what would I be thinking? Do you people know what I’m thinking?To increase my chances of To increase my chances of actually beating him on January 20th, I’m considering calling this guy out and asking him to step up. You see, there are times when it’s best to keep things private.
Since you start to expose yourself when you don’t keep things to yourself,
“On the other hand, do you know what I’d be thinking if I were Ilia Topuria? I have to engage in conflict with him. Due to the fact that he is concussed, I must convince him to fight me on January 20. It’s not the same Alexander Volkanovski who was out here dispatching all these opponents because he has a concussion. He isn’t the same person.
Before Volkanovski intervened at UFC 294 (although nothing has been confirmed as of yet), the UFC was apparently planning a featherweight title bout between Volkanovski and Topuria at UFC 297 in Toronto. Topuria, who is unbeaten in his career and is presently the No. 5 featherweight in the UFC rankings,recently defeated previous interim title challenger Josh Emmett with a dominant performance to advance to the title battle.
And Cejudo thinks Topuria is just the kind of opponent who could profit from this circumstance given that Volkanovski is now 35 years old and is coming off a knockout loss.
You know what I’m doing if I’m Alexander Volkanovski on the other side, right? I have to be modest,” Cejudo stated. “I have to let my brain the next six months to recuperate. I’ve had a headache. It takes a minute for you to actually kind of start walking that straight line after a knockout or being concussed. There are so two sides.
Take your darn time, Volk. I wouldn’t always be rushing. You’re going to have to be humble. Yes, I am telling you to be modest because it shouldn’t be about your ego or your pride. It ought to be about triumphing. It should be about getting ready. Your legacy ought to be the focus. Congratulations if you decide to battle on January 20, but will you prevail? Will you give your all? The last thing you want to do is compete at 145 pounds and lose to a man who has only had 12 or 13 fights after you just lost the 155-pound title you were hoping to win. It will take place.
What makes me say that? Because someone in a position of authority will be your most ruthless foe. Ilia Topuria comes to me when I think of someone powerful at 145 pounds; his power is unsurpassed at that weight. Ilia Topuria has influence. The guy is not someone you should be taking seriously.
“For you, the stakes are quite high. Although it is clear that you are no longer the pound-for-pound champion, you do not want to enter on January 20 and forfeit the featherweight crown. I believe that there needs to be some healing. Please , take your time. Delete January 20. Let your brain recover. Don’t worry so much. Keep your pride in check and refrain from acting in a manly manner. It doesn’t work like that. Be much more strategic and tactical if becoming the finest in the world and the greatest of all time is your objective.