Ilia Topuria vs Volkanovski live updates: UFC 298 fight today | Results & highlights
Topuria vs Alexander Volkanovski
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 17: Alexander Volkanovski of Australia exchanges strikes with Ilia Topuria in their featherweight title fight during UFC 298 at Honda Center on February 17, 2024 in Anaheim, California. Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Sean M. Haffey / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP) / SEAN M. HAFFEY / Getty Images via AFP
UFC 298: Volkanovski v Topuria
We close this UFC live stream with Ilia Topuria's well-deserved victory.
Thank you for joining us on a magnificent night of fights where we met the new champion, Topuria.
Volkanovski
"Lo ha hecho muy bien, probablemente hagamos una revancha en España"
The 15-0 became real.
Topuria raises the undefeated belt, after a dream career to the title.
"I work too hard. I knew I was going to be world champion."
Topuria
I am very happy. They may doubt you, but you have to trust yourself, everything is possible. Look at me now."
Topuria is now the champion.
Dana White crowns the new featherweight champion. Topuria celebrates amidst tears.
Ilia Topuria knocks out Volkanovski!
History for Spanish MMA. Big win for Topuria in Anaheim.
AMAZING KO FOR TOPURIA
Ilia finishes it!
What a KO. There's a new king in the division!"
Topuria vs Alexander Volkanovski
Very good second round from Topuria so far. He's starting to see cracks in Volkanovski's defense. Ilia's boxing could be key."
Topuria vs Alexander Volkanovski
End of the first round! Feelings of equality in a round of testing. Topuria awaits a very tough battle
Topuria vs Alexander Volkanovski
Good feelings for Topuria in the first half of the round. He's tagging Volkanovski with the jab, and the Australian is feeling them strongly
Topuria vs Alexander Volkanovski
Ilia goes all in from the start. He tries to corner the champion.
Now, it's time. As the great Bruce Buffer would say...
IT'SSSSS TIMEEEEEEE
It's Volkanovski's time!
Down Under plays on the loudspeakers, signaling the entrance of Alexander Volkanovski. 'The Great' enters with the Australian flag in hand, chanting his own entrance song. The crowd applauds the champion.
The referee checks Ilia's mouthguard. They pat down his arms, his torso, and apply vaseline to his face. He's in the cage now.
Ilia Topuria enters the Arena! Funeral bells followed by mariachi music as Ilia Topuria jumps into the Honda Center. A confident gesture and a half-smile from a man who wants to change the history of this sport."
Funeral bells followed by mariachi music as Ilia Topuria jumps into the Honda Center. A confident gesture and a half-smile from a man who wants to change the history of this sport.
3 and a half years and 6 fights after joining the UFC, the moment has arrived for Ilia Topuria. The Hispano-Georgian is minutes away from entering MMA history. Hundreds of thousands of Spaniards and Georgians wake up early and stay up late in equal parts to support their great standard-bearer.
The UFC cameras are already showing Topuria and Volkanovski ready for battle.
"It's been the fight I wanted, it's been a show. I did it, I had a lot of pressure on me. I'm looking for the rematch against Dricus (current champion)."
Simply incredible! Can't they both win? Unfortunately, no
What an amazing last round these two warriors have given us. Perhaps a slight edge to Whittaker, but nothing to fault both of them for. Lots of exchanges, two fighters eager to go for the fight. However, the judges have the final say.
We're heading into the third round! The last one before the Ilia Topuria fight.
Whittaker vs Costa
Whittaker has recovered very well from the tremendous kick he received at the end of the previous round. His face was marked, but it hasn't affected his ability to dodge and strike. Paulo Costa continues to throw bombs with all limbs and could finish it at any moment.
Whittaker vs Costa
What a beautiful first round! Paulo Costa has returned at a high level, but he's facing a unique fighter. Whittaker raises questions with that low guard and cooks his legs with very hard kicks. Probably the first round for the Australian, but Costa closed with a spinning kick that almost ended the fight. It would have been one of the best KOs in history.
Let's go with Whittaker vs Costa!
Whittaker vs Costa
Everything is set for the co-main event of this UFC 298. Borrachinha returns after a year and a half on the sidelines. Facing him, a Whittaker eager to avenge his last defeat against Du Plessis. Karateka guard against kickboxer guard. One of the most technical strikers in the UFC against a beast with exceptional power. Time to enjoy two true animals of this sport.
The moment of Ilia Topuria vs Alexander Volkanovski is approaching.
Neal vs Garry
Machado Garry takes the fight with a split decision. Geoff Neal is very upset; it's a controversial decision.
"Keep talking. I'm right here," says the Irishman amidst the boos
Neal vs Garry
Good finish for Machado Garry, who has pushed hard in this final round. Neal seemed more tired than usual and couldn't stop his opponent's initiative. The judges will have the final say in a decision that certainly won't be easy
Neal vs Garry
A very evenly matched round that doesn't leave a clear winner. Garry has tried to rotate towards Neal's dominant hand and look for significant counter strikes. The American, on the other hand, continues to control the center of the octagon and remains patient without falling into his opponent's trap.
Neal vs Garry
The first round leaves the Honda Center crowd a bit cold. Ian Machado Garry has been lackluster from the start and has been dominated by a conservative Neal who wins narrowly. The Irishman can't find his game and may have conceded round 1
The Garry vs Neal fight is underway!
Neal vs Garry
Here comes the penultimate fight of the night. A company fighter against a media figure. The veteran American fighter will try to put an end to the undefeated streak of Ian Machado Garry (13-0). Geoff Neal, on the other hand, will try to get back on the winning track after falling to Rakhmonov over a year ago.
It's one of the fights that has attracted the most attention all week. The Dubliner is a figure that leaves no room for neutrality, and Neal is the big test to enter the top ranks of the welterweight division.
Crowd reaction
Topuria received a tremendous booing when mentioned by Dvalishvili. The crowd at the Honda Center is with Volkanovski. Once again, the Hispano-Georgian fighter is competing in hostile territory.
Cejudo vs Dvalishvili
Total exhibition from Dvalishvili. The Georgian has allowed himself to carry Cejudo all over the octagon and has slammed him with a takedown. Total dominance from Merab, who has put forward his candidacy for the bantamweight title. We're heading to the decision, although it's really not needed to discover that the winner is Dvalishvili.
Cejudo vs Dvalishvili
Dvalishvili creates one of the highlights of the night. While dominating Cejudo, he took the time to chat with Mark Zuckerberg, who is in the second row, and smile. He's brimming with energy
Cejudo vs Dvalishvili
Serious problems for Cejudo. The Olympic champion has run out of gas and was close to being knocked out. Dvalishvili has been able to turn the fight around and is now cruising to dominate his opponent. Let's go to the third round
Cejudo vs Dvalishvili
Impeccable first round from Cejudo. The American has executed a strategy that has put Dvalishvili in check. Surprising
The fight between Cejudo and Dvalishvili begins!
Referee UFC 298
Jason Herzog, the referee for the main event, has approached Ilia's locker room to explain several rules that will apply in the fight. With the help of Aleksandre, he has shown him various details of situations on the fence and in the clinch. Ilia is paying attention to Herzog's instructions.
Social media
Alexander Topuria is live streaming the pre-fight preparations in his brother Ilia's locker room. Merab Dvalishvili has come to wish luck to the challenger before heading out to fight Cejudo. Ilia is already starting to wrap his hands
Preview Cejudo vs Dvalishvili
One of the most anticipated fights for fans is coming up. Henry Cejudo, a UFC legend and one of the most analytical and intelligent fighters, faces off against the Georgian Merab, who arguably has the best cardio in all of MMA.
An eliminator bout for a title opportunity, and perhaps the last fight in the career of the Mexican-American fighter.
Hernández vs Kopylov
What dominance from Hernandez! The American persisted until he took Kopylov to the ground. After relentless pressure, Hernandez managed to catch the back of the Russian and secure the rear-naked choke. Victory by submission, and the Main Card starts with an incredible show.
Hernández vs Kopylov
Anthony Hernandez has done a great job dominating Kopylov. The Russian has looked inferior in the clinch and has worn himself out trying to strike. The second round is about to begin."
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IIlia Topuria, the rising Spanish sensation set to clash with the seasoned champion Alexander Volkanovski in UFC 298, affectionately known as “El Matador,” has taken the MMA world by storm. With an undefeated record of 14 wins, he stands as a force to be reckoned with in the featherweight division.
Famous people
Actor Arón Piper has also come to Anaheim to cheer on Ilia Topuria. Many global celebrities are arriving to enjoy the Main Card of UFC 298. Reporting live from Anaheim, California, AS special correspondent Cristina Parra.
Ilia Topuria has arrived!
The UFC signal showed Topuria and Volkanovski arriving at the Honda Center. The Hispano-Georgian fighter appeared with his red rose and a suit suitable for the occasion.
Preview Hernandez vs Kopylov
First fight of the Main Card. Russian Kopylov steps in as a replacement for Aliskerov, in a bout between two high-level fighters. Anthony Hernandez is favored if the fight goes to the ground. Meanwhile, he'll have to be cautious of his Russian opponent's tremendous knockout power.
Lemos wins the last preliminary.
Amanda Lemos celebrates a decision that could have gone either way. Great performance from two warriors who have electrified the Honda Center in Anaheim.
Lemos vs Dern
Great show from both fighters. McKenzie Dern and Amanda Lemos close out the preliminaries with a very close fight that will be resolved by decision.
Lemos vs Dern
Wow! Incredible that Dern managed to survive this round. After a tremendous knockdown by Lemos, the Phoenix native barely survived and even ended up dominating on the ground. The final round will be decisive in Anaheim.
Lemos vs Dern
It seems Dern has won the first round. Dominance on the ground may have been key to starting with an advantage. Lemos should try to keep the fight standing to make a comeback. Kicks could be crucial to wear down her opponent.
Schedule & Fight Card UFC 298
Featherweight Alexander Volkanovski (c) vs. Ilia Topuria (approximately 12:15 pm ET
Main Card - Starts at 10:00 pm ET (approx.)
Middleweight Robert Whittaker vs. Paulo Costa
Welterweight Geoff Neal vs. Ian Garry
Bantamweight Merab Dvalishvili vs. Henry Cejudo
+Anthony Hernandez vs. Roman Kopylov
Preliminary Card - Starts at 08:00 AM pm ET
1. Women's Strawweight: Amanda Lemos vs. Mackenzie Dern
2. Heavyweight: Marcos Rogério de Lima vs. Justin Tafa
3. Bantamweight: Rinya Nakamura vs. Carlos Vera
4. Light Heavyweight: Zhang Mingyang vs. Brendson Ribeiro
Early Prelims - Event starts at 7:00 pm ET
Preview Lemos vs Dern
Second and final women's fight of UFC 298. Former title challenger Amanda Lemos faces McKenzie Dern, a true legend of Jiu-Jitsu. The Brazilian, on her part, will showcase her great ability to strike hard and relentlessly. A tremendous fight between two women who are living history of MMA to close out the preliminaries.
Previa Rogerio De Lima vs Tafa
Rogerio De Lima celebrates the victory by doing somersaults, literally. The Brazilian's low kicks have forced Junior Tafa to practically abandon any possibility of continuing the fight. The referee stops it and puts an end to a bout that only had one owner.
Previa Rogerio De Lima vs Tafa
What punishment from Rogerio De Lima! The Brazilian punished Tafa's left leg and then dominated him on the ground for more than half of the round. The Samoan-Australian can only turn it around with a spectacular KO.
Preview Rogerio De Lima vs Tafa
Junior Tafa didn't expect to fight this Saturday. The Samoan-Australian entered 15 minutes before the deadline to replace his brother Justin. The elder Tafa suffered a tragic injury, and his brother had to step up to salvage a fight that seemed almost canceled.
Rogerio De Lima should be vastly superior to his opponent. However, the power and bravery of the Tafa brothers pose a tremendous danger in the exchange. This promises to be a very entertaining fight.
Ilia Topuria, the Spanish sensation, will have a formidable team in his corner as he faces Alexander Volkanovski in UFC 298.
The prices to see Topuria vs Volkanovski in Anaheim
The cheapest tickets at the Honda Center cost 355 dollars. These are the ones farthest from the cage, in the 'nosebleed' section and in the corners.
In the same area, but more centrally located, their price increases to 405 dollars, and those with better visibility reach up to 675 dollars
The ticket prices deserve a separate mention. Undoubtedly, for Topuria's fans, it will be a challenging journey and not suitable for all budgets: tickets range from 355 to 4,000 dollars.
"Do you know the prize that the winner of the fight will take home?"
Do you know where the nickname of Spanish fighter Ilia Topuria comes from?
The preparation of 'The Matador'
The Hispano-Georgian Ilia Topuria has wanted to share with his fans a documentary about his preparation for the fight against Volkanovski. The film, which will premiere tonight, narrates his exhaustive training. Here's a preview:
The main fight at UFC 298
The main fights of the evening will begin at 12:00 p.m ET:
1. Alexander Volkanovski vs Ilia Topuria: UFC Featherweight Championship.
2. Robert Whittaker vs Paulo Costa: Middleweight.
3. Geoff Neal vs Ian Machado Garry: Welterweight.
4. Merab Dvalishvili vs Henry Cejudo: Bantamweight.
5. Anthony Hernández vs Roman Kopylov: Middleweight.
UFC 298
Following the initial preliminaries previously mentioned, the lineup for the preliminary card will be as follows:
1. Amanda Lemos vs Mackenzie Dern: Strawweight.
2. Marcos Rogerio de Lima vs Justin Tafa: Heavyweight.
3. Rinya Nakamura vs Carlos Vera: Bantamweight.
4. AJ Dobson vs Tresean Gore: Middleweight.
If you're wondering how much money Ilia Topuria has earned in his UFC career, we recommend you read this news article. You'll be surprised!
Mike Roach
UFC Fight Night: Moraes v Sandhagen
Meanwhile, the Matador holds a record that's equally intimidating, boasting a 14-0-0 with 4 KO's in his career. However, it includes 8 submissions, showcasing his potential as a striker.
26-3-0: Volkanovski, a Record That's Frightening
Standing at 1.68 meters, Volkanovski has managed to defeat every opponent he has crossed paths with in MMA. His record speaks for itself: 26-3-0, including 13 KO's.
Perhaps you didn't know... Volkanovski, from Rugby to MMA
Australian Alexander 'The Great' Volkanovski started out playing rugby.
Volkanovski is the son of Macedonian immigrants in Australia. Like a true athlete of Balkan origin, he began practicing Greco-Roman wrestling at just 10 years old, a pursuit he never truly abandoned. That warrior temperament was his main source of motivation in his youth to pursue a career as a rugby forward. At that time, Volkanovski weighed nearly 100 kilograms, standing at just 1.68 meters tall.
Volkanovski: Belt Holder Since 2019
Alexander Volkanovski is the greatest featherweight in UFC history. Currently, he ranks third in the pound-for-pound rankings (only behind Islam Makhachev and Jon Jones) and has held the belt since December 2019. He dethroned Max Holloway and surprised fans by defeating the favorite via unanimous decision. They met two more times, and both ended in victories for the Australian.
Preliminary Card lineup for UFC 298
Regarding the official lineup of the evening, the first preliminaries of UFC 298 will start at 06:00 p.m ET. Here's the order:
1. Zhang Mingyang vs Brendson Ribeiro: Light Heavyweight.
2. Josh Quinlan vs Danny Barlow: Welterweight.
3. Oban Elliott vs Val Woodburn: Welterweight.
4. Andrea Lee vs Miranda Maverick: Flyweight.
The fight: Time and schedule
The main card for this UFC 298 is set to kick off at 04:00 hours (Spanish time). Thus, after the first four fights of the main card, the Topuria-Volkanovski bout will take place. The expectation is that the main event of the night will start at 12:00 p.m ET..
The main event between Topuria and Volkanovski will have the UFC featherweight title on the line. Both fighters, therefore, have weighed in at 145 pounds (65.8 kgs).
Good afternoon and welcome to a new live broadcast on As.com!
We're kicking off a new transmission, this time, to bring you the lead-up hours and subsequent narration of what will be one of the sports events of the year, both in Spain and around the globe: the fight that will pit the Hispano-Georgian Ilia Topuria against the Australian Alexander Volkanovski.
At stake: the UFC featherweight title, in what will be its 298th event. This time, the event will take place in Anaheim, California (United States).