Aleksandre Topuria is set to make his debut in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) this Sunday at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney. He will be facing local fighter Colby Thicknesse, who trains with Alexander Volkanovski. This matchup brings Topuria and Volkanovski’s paths together again, but Volkanovski’s team remains calm and confident. According to Lukasz Orzel, Topuria’s manager, everything is going as planned, and Topuria is well-prepared for the fight.
Orzel stated, “It’s brutal, everything perfect. Perfect preparation, it is at a great level of concentration, it does not stress, super prepared, much support from everywhere, we are a large group … it will kill it.” Topuria’s team found out about his opponent, Thicknesse, just two weeks ago, after Haddon’s injury. Despite the short notice, Topuria’s team is confident in his abilities. As Orzel said, “It is at a great level of concentration, it does not stress, super prepared … it will kill it.”
Topuria’s training camp has been very professional and complete, which is impressive for a debutant. The fact that the fight is scheduled for 12:00 local time on Sunday, which is unusual, does not seem to affect Topuria’s plan. His body and training have adapted to this context. Jesús Gallo, Topuria’s physical trainer, said, “Aleksandre is in a very good position both physically and mentally and spiritually. It is impeccable.”
The Climent brothers, Jorge and Agustín, have been working with Topuria and are proud of the progress he has made. Agustín Climent stated, “I am very proud as a teacher to have seen the whole process (from Aleksandre) as a child until now, which is formed as a man and professional. The truth is that it is a crack, everything has it super meticulous. All the people who have chosen in their surroundings to work with him.” Jorge Climent also expressed his confidence in Topuria, saying, “I see it much superior as a coach. I think everything is going to go very well and when they ask me the prediction I always say the first assault.” Everything seems to be in place for Topuria’s debut, and his team is expecting a winning performance. As Jorge Climent said, “I see it winner… I have a tranquility of spirit that I know that everything will go well. He will be himself.”