UFC 270: Ilia Topuria Says “Movsar Is Not Undefeated Anymore”

Anaheim, CA – With his original opponent withdrawing just days before their bout UFC featherweight Ilia Topuria will instead face Charles Jourdain in the prelims of UFC 270 on Saturday night.

Speaking to the media on Wednesday Topuria spoke on the change just days before entering the octagon.

“I was a little bit sad because Movsar (Evloev) pull out from the fight, but I know that they would find someone to fight on Saturday night. That’s why I’m here.”

Evloev (15-0) was removed from UFC 270 after a positive COVID test.

Jourdain (12-4-1) steps in just a month removed from a decision win over Andre Ewell in December.

“So a lot of people say that this is a short notice fight for him but it’s a short notice fight for me too because my training camp was focused for a wrestler. Now I have to fight a striker, but the rest is going to be the same you know. I’m going to finish him in the first round. I didn’t have nothing personal with him, but Saturday night I just have to do my job.”

Still Topuria couldn’t hold back how he felt about Evloev’s removal from the event.

“Movsar is not undefeated anymore. He lost his undefeated record because he didn’t come here. He told me that he will use me like a red rock. Here I bring this red rock here where he is? No one knows. So…..f*ck him.”

That being said Topuria is prepared to move forward in his career with a win over Jourdain on Saturday night.

“I want to fight someone from the top 10. That’s my next goal after this fight but right now I’m focused on my next fight. And we’ll see what it’s going to be in the future.”

The focus however remains on Jourdain and Topuria understands that it will be a challenge to face the high-level striker.

“Oh he’s a rare skill in striking. But you know all these fighters in my division, all UFC roster, I think that they just train when they have training camps. My whole life is like training camp. And that’s what makes the difference between me and other fighters.”

Ilia Topuria faces Charles Jourdain at UFC 270 on Saturday, January 22 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. Watch Topuria’s entire media scrum above. More coverage of Wednesday’s media day can be found below.