That said, Topuria’s confidence is perhaps one of his best traits. Whether he is pressing the action or fighting on the back foot, he never wavers in his ability to work a problem out and find a path to victory as he did after a tough first round against Herbert.
“(Mitchell) is a skilled fighter on the ground, but that’s it,” Topuria said. “People think it’s a tough matchup for me, but (only) people think like this. Not me. I don’t think so. I think it’s a normal fight for me. He’s No. 9 in the rankings. He’s a tough guy, but I’m going to put him to sleep in the first round.”
How To Watch UFC 282: Błachowicz vs Ankalaev In Your Country
As 2022 reaches its conclusion, Topuria sees big things ahead in 2023.
After beating Mitchell, he expects a Top 5 matchup and then a title shot to follow as his eyes set on Alexander Volkanovski.
First comes Mitchell, however. The fight is Topuria’s third in Vegas and second on a pay-per-view event. He picked up first-round knockouts in each outing and expects more of the same come December 10.
“I’m better anywhere the fight takes place,” Topuria said. “I’m better than him. Somebody is going to lose, and it’s not going to be me.”
