UFC 298 start time, full fight card details | Volkanovski vs. Topuria

Final Preventing Championship (UFC) is ready to stage its subsequent pay-per-view (PPV) occasion later TONIGHT (Sat., Feb. 17, 2024) from inside Honda Heart in Anaheim, Calif., that includes a Featherweight title combat between division champion, Alexander Volkanovski, defending his belt in opposition to Ilia Topuria. Within the co-main occasion, former UFC Middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker, will face off in opposition to Brazilian powerhouse Paulo Costa in a pivotal combat at 185 kilos.

What’s Sizzling:

Alexander Volkanovski finds himself in very unfamiliar territory having misplaced two of his final three fights. Granted, his two defeats were at Lightweight, arising quick on two events in opposition to division king, Islam Makhachev. Whereas “The Nice” says he nonetheless has his eyes on the 155-pound strap, he has extra urgent enterprise at Featherweight as he’s set to defend his belt in opposition to Ilia Topuria. Regardless of his setbacks, Volkanovski remains to be undefeated at 145 kilos underneath the UFC banner, successful all 13 of his fights, which incorporates 5 consecutive title defenses. Getting quantity six, nonetheless, will probably be a tall activity to say the least as a result of he’s dealing with a younger, promising contender able to make his imprint on the division.

Ilia Topuria has solely been preventing underneath the UFC banner for 3.5 years. However in that point he has risen the ranks at 145 kilos thanks to 6 straight wins, bettering his general undefeated file to 14-0. Alongside the way in which he took out a promising contender in Bryce Mitchell (highlights), earlier than getting through a grizzled veteran in Josh Emmett. Now ranked No. 3 on this planet, Topuria has the possibility to satisfy his lifelong dream of changing into a UFC champion. And he doesn’t lack the arrogance to take action, already going so far as changing his social media handles information suggesting that he’s champion. He has large targets for himself, which has drawn the comparability to Conor McGregor according to one former UFC champion. However he nonetheless has to ship within the greatest combat of his profession, and he has proven he can do this. Nonetheless, dealing with contenders is one factor, getting locked into the cage in opposition to the dominate champion is kind of one other. Topuria must be on his “A” sport in all aspects in opposition to Volkanovski as a result of he has nice wrestling, excellent hanging and is as highly effective as any 145-pounder within the division. Positive, Makhachev might have laid out a blueprint, however he had measurement and weight in his facet, Topuria doesn’t. This can be a pivotal contest for Volkanovski, too, as a result of a convincing loss may change the trajectory of his preventing future.

What’s Not:

In all honesty, there actually isn’t a complete lot to complain about in terms of this card. The principle card may be very stable and the undercard portion of the occasion is crammed with a number of intriguing matchups, which ought to make for a really fascinating evening of fights.

Authentic Card vs. Precise Card

Tai Tuivasa and Marcin Tybura have been set to throw down on this card earlier than it was moved to headline a Struggle Night time occasion on March 16, 2024. Ikram Aliskerov was compelled out of his scheduled combat in opposition to Anthony Hernandez with an sickness, permitting Roman Kopylov to step in. Yusaku Kinoshita was inexplicably faraway from his scheduled Welterweight collision in opposition to Danny Barlow and was changed by Josh Quinlan.

Accidents:

Tatiana Suarez was as soon as once more sidelined by an unfortunate injury, forcing her out of her scheduled bout in opposition to Amanda Lemos, which gave method for Mackenzie Dern to step in to fill the void. It’s one other robust setback for Suarez’s ascension, as accidents have riddled her development all through her UFC profession. Brady Hiestand suffered an undisclosed harm and was compelled out of his combat in opposition to Rinya Nakamura. Stepping in to take his place is UFC newcomer Carlos Vera. Tresean Gore suffered a shoulder harm, forcing the cancellation of his Middleweight bout in opposition to A.J. Dobson.

Additionally, Justin Tafa was forced out of his scheduled Heavyweight combat in opposition to Marcos Rogerio de Lima after he suffered an harm proper earlier than headed to weigh in. Because of this harm, Tafa’s youthful brother, Junior Tafa, agreed to step in on super-short notice to face de Lima.

New Blood:

After incomes a majority determination win over Kaik Brito on the Contender Sequence in Aug. 2023, Oban Elliott will get his likelihood to shine in his official UFC debut when he battles Valentin Woodburn, who suffered a first-round stoppage loss to Bo Nickal in his personal UFC debut, Granted, Woodburn took the combat on quick discover, so we will’t knock him for that too dangerous. Now he had time to organize for his combat and has the possibility to indicate his stuff. However Elliott will probably be coming in purple scorching having gained his final 5 fights.

Due to a first-round TKO win over Raheam Forest on the Contender Sequence, Danny Barlow earned a spot on the UFC roster. Undefeated at 7-0, “Left Hand 2 God” has 5 finishes on his resume after making his professional debut simply two years in the past. He will probably be taking up Josh Quinlan, who’s coming off a loss to Trey Waters six months in the past.

Brendson Ribeiro is at present on a three-fight win streak and is out to show his value after a powerful efficiency on the Contender Sequence, stopping Bruno Lopes through first-round knockout. He will probably be taking up Mingyang Zhang, who’s scorching scorching with 9 straight wins.

Carlos Vera will convey his four-fight win streak — all underneath the Fury FC banner — with him to the eight-sided cage to tackle Rinya Nakamura in his official UFC debut. It actually is a tricky first take a look at for Vera as a result of Nakamura is 8-0, 4-0 UFC. Nakamura solely made his professional debut two years in the past however has actually proven he can carry out nicely on the most important stage of all of them. If Vera can safe himself a giant win in opposition to “Hybrid” in his first official UFC combat, it can put him on the map straight away.

How The ‘Prelims’ Look:

We’ve got already mentioned three of the contests happening on the undercard in our “New Blood” part, so let’s check out the opposite half of the “prelims,” we could?

Mackenzie Dern did UFC a stable by agreeing to step in for an injured Tatiana Suarez in opposition to a very-dangerous Amanda Lemos, Dern is coming off a technical knockout (TKO) loss by the hands of Jessica Andrade. The loss was detrimental to the jiu-jitsu ace not solely as a result of it set her again within the rankings, however it actually uncovered her standup, which was flat-out horrible in the fight. She’s going to look to right that in opposition to Lemos, who is not any slouch on the toes. Lemos came up short in her bid to win the ladies’s Strawweight belt, shedding to Zhang Weili through unanimous determination at UFC 292. We’ve got been ready for Dern to take that subsequent step in her profession for some time now, and a win over Lemos will certainly be a step in the correct path. One other loss, nonetheless, will just about maintain her at gatekeeper standing.

At the moment on a nine-fight win streak, Mingyang Zhang has confirmed he’s all about placing on a present, successful all of these bouts within the very first spherical, seven through knockout and two through submission. He’s coming in with a first-round knockout win over George Tokkos at Highway to UFC Singapore, and now he’s set to make his official UFC debut in opposition to one other UFC newcomer in Brendson Ribeiro. Talking of which, “The Gorilla” earned his spot on the UFC roster with blistering efficiency on the Contender Sequence, stopping Bruno Lopes via strikes.

As we talked about earlier, Junior Tafa stepped in for his brother Justin to face Marcos ogerio de Lima. Junior is coming off a first-round knockout win over Parker Porter (see it again here), and if he will get a win right here is inventory will certainly take a giant bump up. Tafa was in line to face Karl Williams subsequent month, however the results of this present combat will possible determine if that bout goes on as deliberate. As for Rogerio de Lima, he’s hoping to bounce again after struggling a knockout loss by the hands of Derrick Lewis in his final outing.

Who Wants A Win Badly:

Andrea Lee bought off to a promising begin to her UFC profession, successful her first three fights with the promotion. From there, it’s been nothing however dangerous information for for “KGB.” She went on to lose three straight, earlier than bouncing again with back-to-back wins over Antonina Shevchenko and Cynthia Calvillo. However issues went downhill in a rush, shedding right here final three fights, which provides as much as an abysmal 5-6 file contained in the Octagon. Forward of her combat in opposition to Miranda Maverick, Lee is in a must-win state of affairs as a result of if she suffers her fourth straight defeat she may very well be carried out with the promotion.

Curiosity Degree: 9/10

Robert Whittaker and Paulo Costa will lastly have the ability to get all the way down to enterprise contained in the Octagon when the 2 co-headline the star-studded occasion in a Middleweight bout that might have main title implications. Whittaker is trying to rebound after a tough knockout defeat by the hands of present division champion, Dricus du Plessis, which earned “Stillknocks” his shot at successful gold. That was simply the second time “The Reaper” has been stopped within the Middleweight division, the other time being in opposition to Israel Adesanya, which price him his title. Whittaker finds himself in very unfamiliar territory having misplaced two of his final three fights, so getting a win at UFC 298 is of the utmost significance as a result of one other defeat may have him considering a change in weight lessons.

Costa, in the meantime, will probably be stepping foot contained in the Octagon for the primary time since Aug. 2022. The hulking Brazilian has been on the sidelines after bailing on his scheduled bout in opposition to Whittaker a UFC 284, after which against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294. There have been a number of within the enterprise who predicted Costa would withdraw from this fight, but once more, however fortunately the new million-dollar man will probably be stay and current to deal with enterprise. On paper, Costa appears just like the extra highly effective striker, however Whittaker is sneaky-good in terms of going toe-to-toe. His punches come out of nowhere, whereas Costa tends to stay to a extra conventional model, although he all the time throws with in poor health intentions and one good hit can flip anybody’s lights out. The winner of this combat may very nicely set himself up for the subsequent shot on the Middleweight title.

Ian Machado Garry and Geoff Neal have a beef to settle. Garry drew the ire of Neal after he used his mugshot on a t-shirt, mocking his earlier authorized troubles. Neal took it personal as a result of he was being nothing however cordial towards the Irish star, and now he could have his alternative to place palms on him after their preliminary reserving at UFC 292 went up in flames. As for Garry, he hasn’t endeared himself to followers after giving off the impression that whereas he’s quick to dish out the trash talk, he isn’t one to man up and take it. Certainly, Garry has been on the recipient finish of some very harsh criticism from followers and fighters alike because of his private life. All of that apart, Garry is among the brightest younger stars on the UFC roster, and is 6-0 contained in the Octagon, 13-0 general. He has the potential to be a star with the promotion and a win over Neal places him additional up the ladder within the rankings, the place he at present sits at No. 10.

Merab Dvalishvili has been very affected person in terms of getting his title shot, which lots needed to do with the truth that his teammate, Aljamain Sterling, was sitting on the high of the Bantamweight division. However now that “Funkmaster” is fighting in the Featherweight division, Dvalishvili is one win away from punching his ticket to the large dance. And if he can get the win over former “champ-champ,” Henry Cejudo, there is no such thing as a denying him what’s his. Talking of “Triple C,” the “King of Cringe” was final seen arising quick in opposition to Sterling at UFC 288 in Could 2023, his first loss in seven years. Naturally, Cejudo felt he had carried out sufficient to get one in every of his belts again, however now he has the chance to get again into the championship race himself with a win over “The Machine.” This is among the most intriguing fights on the cardboard as a result of they match up very nicely, ability clever (full preview here). Each are nice grapplers, although Cejudo’s Olympic medals show he’s far and method one of the best wrestler on the UFC roster. That mentioned, this might come all the way down to who will get the higher of the hanging division. Sean O’Malley is ready to defend his 135-pound strap in opposition to Marlon Vera at UFC 299, so the winner of this combat will probably be a really observer with what goes down in South Seaside subsequent month. For Cejudo, one other loss may imply retirement…this time for good.

Anthony Hernandez was in a position to stay on the UFC 298 major card after Roman Kopylov agreed to step in for Ikram Aliskerov (full preview here). Winner of 4 straight, Hernandez is eying a spot within the Prime 15 along with his fifth straight win, however even that my not be ok to get him there since the division is so stacked. Nonetheless, a win is a win and it’ll get Hernandez that a lot nearer, however the identical will be mentioned for Kopylov as a result of he, too, is on a 4 combat win streak with all victories coming through knockout. It’s a really good turnaround for the Russian slugger, who began off his UFC profession with two straight defeats.

Benefit from the fights!

Full UFC 298 Fight Card:

UFC 298 PPV Foremost Occasion On ESPN+:

145 lbs.: UFC Featherweight Champion Alex Volkanovski vs. Ilia Topuria

UFC 298 PPV Foremost Card On ESPN+:

185 lbs.: Robert Whittaker vs. Paulo Costa
170 lbs.: Geoff Neal vs. Ian Machado Garry
135 lbs.: Merab Dvalishvili vs. Henry Cejudo
185 lbs.: Anthony Hernandez vs. Roman Kopylov

UFC 298 Late ‘Prelims’ On ESPN/ESPN+ (8 p.m. ET):

115 lbs.: Amanda Lemos vs. Mackenzie Dern
265 lbs.: Marcos Rogerio de Lima vs. Junior Tafa – (Not Justin Tafa)
135 lbs.: Rinya Nakamura vs. Carlos Vera
205 lbs.: Mingyang Zhang vs. Brendson Ribeiro

UFC 298 Early ‘Prelims’ On ESPN+ (6:30 p.m. ET):

170 lbs.: Danny Barlow vs. Josh Quinlan
170 lbs.: Val Woodburn vs. Oban Elliott
125 lbs.: Andrea Lee vs. Miranda Maverick

*Struggle card, bout order and variety of fights stay topic to vary.*

Do not forget that MMAmania.com will ship LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow protection of the whole UFC 298 combat card proper here, beginning with the early ESPN+ “Prelims” matches on-line, that are scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. ET (simulcast on ESPN at 8 p.m. ET), earlier than the pay-per-view (PPV) major card begin time at 10 p.m. ET (additionally on ESPN+).

To take a look at the newest and best UFC 298: “Volkanovski vs. Topuria” information and notes make sure to hit up our complete occasion archive proper here.

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