UFC 298: Quick Picks and Prognostications

Anthony Hernandez vs Roman Kopylov faceoff UFC 298 ceremonial weigh-ins

Kicking off the paid portion of the cardboard is a middleweight matchup between Anthony Hernandez and Roman Kopylov.

Regardless of not disagreeing with Hernadez being put in because the betting favourite, I’ve a sneaky suspicion that the southpaw Kopylov is a stay canine on this spot.

Except for the truth that Hernandez formally stands at 0-1 reverse UFC-level lefties, the California native has proven a propensity to be stung by physique photographs in each victory and defeat.

Add in the truth that he’s arguably going through the very best bodyworker at 185 kilos, and I can’t assist however take a flier on Kopylov and his current wrestling enhancements to get it carried out for him right here.

The decide is Kopylov by knockout in spherical 2.

Filling out the principle card is a vital combat at bantamweight between Merab Dvalishvili and Henry Cejudo.

Although Cejudo initially opened because the betting favourite, cash has come pouring in on the rightful no. 1 contender, Davalishvili.

Cejudo stands out as the superior fighter on paper, however I don’t disagree with the road motion said above.

Till they assist you to convey firearms into the octagon, I’m unsure I can wager on anybody stopping or out-working Dvalishvili in the meanwhile.

The decide is Dvalishvili by unanimous resolution.

In a combat that needs to be extra aggressive than the chances let on, Geoff Neal will lastly do battle with Ian Garry.

Though I can perceive the temptation to take a shot at Neal on this spot, I nonetheless discover myself leaning towards the favourite.

Say what you’ll about Garry, however the 26-year-old seems to be a really expert and well-prepared fighter. And regardless of Neal being his most harmful take a look at thus far, the Fortis MMA product hasn’t precisely been the toughest to gameplan for given each his headhunting and left-sided sensibilities.

I positively wouldn’t thoughts being mistaken right here, however the decide is Garry by unanimous resolution.

The co-main occasion for UFC 298 contains a middleweight showdown between Robert Whittaker and Paulo Costa.

As said in my in-depth breakdown, these two have been on a collision course for fairly a while now.

Though I can perceive anybody who’s questioning Whittaker’s endurance at this level in his profession, I consider that his shot choices of straight punches and checking hooks will serve him nicely contemplating Costa’s historical past with these punches.

I’ll decide Whittaker to lastly get again to his ending methods however discovering a stoppage late in spherical 3.

The primary occasion in Anaheim contains a unbelievable featherweight title combat between Alexander Volkanovski and Ilia Topuria.

As said in my in-depth breakdown, this combat provides me the identical vibes that UFC 231’s fundamental attraction between Max Holloway and Brian Ortega did.

Holloway, who was on the peak of his reign, was being doubted by the general public because of well being struggles that stemmed out and in of the cage. Nevertheless, come combat night time, the then-Hawaiian champion would go on to have the efficiency of a lifetime.

Now, I’m unsure if Volkanovski can replicate something to that degree, however I do suspect that the Macedonian champion reminds us of his wrestling talents this Saturday.

I additionally suspect that Volkanovski’s educated lead hand and kicking recreation will even be essential given Topuria’s wrestle-boxing propensities, however buying and selling with the Georgian isn’t any joke.

I wouldn’t be shocked to see Topuria stun the champion early for an upset, however I’ll take the higher adjuster in Volkanovski to retain by way of unanimous resolution.