UFC 298: Ilia Topuria Knocks Out Alexander Volkanovski to Become Featherweight Champion
Last night, UFC 298 took place at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, and it was a night filled with thrilling fights and surprising outcomes. The highlight of the event was the Featherweight title fight between Ilia Topuria and Alexander Volkanovski. In a stunning turn of events, Topuria knocked out Volkanovski in the second round, crowning himself as the new Featherweight champion of the world.
Ilia Topuria’s victory was nothing short of impressive. He showcased his skills and power throughout the fight, ultimately delivering a knockout blow that left Volkanovski stunned. The win solidifies Topuria’s position as one of the top fighters in the Featherweight division and sets the stage for exciting future matchups.
Looking ahead, many fans are wondering who Topuria should face next. One potential opponent is Movsar Evloev, who has been on a winning streak and remains undefeated at 18-0. Evloev’s recent dominant win over Arnold Allen demonstrated his toughness and grit, making him a worthy challenger for Topuria’s newly acquired title.
In the co-main event of UFC 298, Robert Whittaker faced off against Paulo Costa. Whittaker put on a masterclass performance, outclassing Costa and securing a unanimous decision victory. Whittaker’s win further solidifies his position as a top contender in the Middleweight division.
With Whittaker’s victory, fans are speculating about his next opponent. While Israel Adesanya is expected to receive the next shot at the Middleweight strap, there is another rising star who could pose a challenge to Whittaker – Khamzat Chimaev. Chimaev has been eager to prove himself and earn a chance to fight for a UFC world title. A win over Whittaker would undoubtedly put him in the title picture. Chimaev’s current inactivity due to Ramadan means he will be ready to fight after April, making a potential matchup with Whittaker even more intriguing.
In other notable fights of the night, Merab Dvalishvili emerged victorious, further solidifying his claim for a title shot. Dvalishvili has been patiently waiting for his chance, and with a win over Cejudo, it is time for him to get what he deserves. The winner of the upcoming O’Malley vs. Vera fight could be a potential opponent for Dvalishvili in the near future.
Ian Machado Garry also had an impressive performance, improving his record to 14-0. Garry’s win over Geoff Neal puts him in a prime position to climb up the rankings. While he has expressed interest in facing Vicente Luque or Colby Covington, a matchup against Sean Brady, who currently sits at the No. 6 spot, seems like a more fitting next step for Garry.
Lastly, Anthony Hernandez showcased his skills once again, securing his fifth consecutive win by submitting Roman Kopylov. Hernandez’s impressive run and Aliskerov’s seven-fight win streak make a rematch between the two fighters inevitable.
UFC 298 was a night filled with excitement and surprises. Ilia Topuria’s knockout victory over Alexander Volkanovski has shaken up the Featherweight division, and fans are eagerly awaiting his next challenge. Similarly, Robert Whittaker’s dominant performance has solidified his position as a top Middleweight contender. With several rising stars making their mark on the event, the future of UFC looks brighter than ever.
