As we inch closer to the highly anticipated showdown at UFC 298, Alexander Volkanovski is gearing up to defend his title against Ilia Topuria on February 17. This will be the sixth time Volkanovski steps into the octagon to defend his crown, a testament to his dominance in the sport.
Volkanovski's Dominance
Volkanovski's latest successful title defense was a third-round TKO victory over Yair Rodriguez, showcasing his lethal striking power and technical prowess. However, he'll face a formidable opponent in Topuria, who has proven himself a force to be reckoned with in the UFC featherweight division.
Rising Star: Ilia Topuria
Topuria, currently holding the No. 5 position in the UFC featherweight rankings, has emerged victorious in all six of his UFC appearances. Four of these victories ended inside the distance, demonstrating his knockout power and ability to finish fights early. His most recent triumph was a dominant performance against Josh Emmett at UFC on ABC 5 last June.
A Rescheduled Showdown
The fight between Volkanovski and Topuria was initially slated for January but had to be postponed due to concussion protocols. This followed Volkanovski's knockout loss to Islam Makhachev, a fight he took on short notice after Charles Oliveira withdrew due to injury. Makhachev's head-kick knockout win marked the first time Volkanovski has been stopped since his fourth pro fight in 2013.
"Yeah, obviously, it was scheduled for January... We want to follow all protocols and do everything right, obviously, after the last one and I'm lucky enough to have a great team around me, who've dealt with a lot of concussions in football and what-not. So I’ve got the right team around me, and we just thought that January was a little bit too soon,” Volkanovski explained.
First-Round Finish Predictions
Both fighters are predicting a first-round finish for the upcoming UFC 298 headliner, setting the stage for what promises to be an explosive encounter. "He's a powerful dude, he's good everywhere. He's not one-dimensional, he's obviously very well-rounded," Volkanovski said about Topuria. Despite this, Volkanovski remains confident in his abilities, stating, "I just believe my skills and my understanding of the game is just gonna be that little bit too much for him."
Location Yet to Be Confirmed
The city and venue for the UFC 298 showdown are yet to be confirmed. Regardless of where it takes place, fans worldwide will undoubtedly be tuning in for what promises to be a thrilling featherweight title fight.
In conclusion, the upcoming bout between Alexander Volkanovski and Ilia Topuria at UFC 298 is shaping up to be a must-watch event for MMA enthusiasts. With both fighters predicting a quick end to the match, it promises to be a battle filled with high-stakes action and potentially career-defining moments.