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Dan Hardy Outlines 'Two Clear' Options For Ilia Topuria's First Defense, Leaves Out Alexander Volkanovski Rematch

Originally posted on MMA News | By Harvey Leonard | Last updated 2/21/24

Former UFC title challenger Dan Hardy thinks the promotion and Ilia Topuria have "two clear" candidates for the Georgian-Spaniard's first championship defense.

Topuria reached the featherweight mountaintop at this past weekend's UFC 298 pay-per-view in Anaheim, California, where the Honda Center hosted the biggest victory of his career to date.

After extending his undefeated professional record since joining the UFC, "El Matador" rode it all the way to the throne on February 17, when he brutally knocked out long-reigning divisional kingpin Alexander Volkanovski.

The win marked a major night for Georgia and Spain, with both countries getting their first UFC champions. and while celebrations will be ongoing in both nations and Topuria's camp, talk is already beginning to turn to his next test.

Hardy Eliminates Volkanovski, Evloev From Discussion For Topuria Fight

During an episode of his Aftermath YouTube podcast after UFC 298, former welterweight title challenger Dan Hardy looked ahead to Topuria's first defense.

"The Outlaw" named the two options he sees for the newly crowned champ, highlighting featherweight legend Max Holloway and whoever emerges as the victor out of Yair Rodríguez and Brian Ortega this weekend as the "clear" candidates.

"Topuria, as the champion, has got, I would say, two clear options," Hardy said. "He's either got Max Holloway after he's fought for the BMF belt... (or) the winner of the Rodríguez/Ortega fight."

As well as not including a potential rematch with Alexander Volkanovski, Hardy explained why he doesn't see the undefeated Movsar Evloev as a likely option following his victory over Arnold Allen at UFC 297 last month.

"Movsar Evloev, that would be a hell of a fight... That would be 18-0 against 15-0. (But) it would be easier to sell a fight with Yair or Ortega," Hardy stated. "I'm thinking from a UFC perspective, where they're like, 'Right, we've got an undefeated Spanish-Georgian fighter who's just knocked out Volkanovski. If we give him a Holloway, Ortega, Yair, and he beats one of those, then he's a legitimate everyone-knows-his-name star.'

"If he beats Movsar Evloev, which is potentially a very, very tough fight, then they've got two undefeated fighters, they're putting a loss on someone's record, and then not getting their money on the return of the investment," Hardy continued. "Especially if they end up with Movsar Evloev as the champion, because he's not nearly as marketable as Topuria."

It remains to be seen who the promotion will look to place opposite Topuria next time out, but the UFC has at least one willing candidate when it comes to a title challenge in enemy territory.

In the aftermath of his setback in Anaheim, Volkanovski staked his claim for a second dance opposite Topuria, even expressing willingness to head to the champ's home country of Spain.