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Alexander Volkanovski will return to his favoured division this weekend, defending the UFC featherweight title in opposition to Ilia Topuria.
Volkanovski twice got here up quick in opposition to light-weight champion Islam Makhachev in 2023, shedding to the Russian on factors in February and through an early knockout in October. Between these bouts, nevertheless, Volkanovski prolonged his spectacular run at 145lbs, stopping Yair Rodriguez for a fifth profitable title defence.
Yet some followers concern that the Australian’s reign may come to an abrupt finish within the UFC 298 primary occasion. Having been knocked out badly 4 months in the past, after combating on quick discover, 35-year-old Volkanovski now faces a strong and well-rounded foe in Topuria.
The Georgian, who fights out of Spain, is unbeaten with 12 finishes from his 14 wins, and he has relative youth on his aspect at 27 years previous.
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When is UFC 298?
UFC 298 is due to happen on Saturday 17 February on the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
The early prelims are set to start at 11pm GMT (4pm PT, 6pm CT, 7pm ET), with the common prelims following at 1am GMT on Sunday 18 February (6pm PT, 8pm CT, 9pm ET on Saturday). The primary card is then due to begin at 3am GMT on Sunday (8pm PT, 10pm CT, 11pm ET on Saturday).
How can I watch it?
In the UK, UFC 298 will air live on TNT Sports, with the broadcaster’s app and web site additionally streaming the fights. In the US, ESPN+ will stream the motion live. UFC Fight Pass can even stream the early prelims and common prelims.
If you’re travelling overseas and need to watch the occasion, you would possibly want a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is right here to assist and consists of offers on VPNs available in the market. Viewers utilizing a VPN want to be sure that they adjust to any native rules the place they’re and additionally with the phrases of their service supplier.
Odds
Volkanovski celebrates his stoppage victory over Yair Rodriguez
(Getty Images)
Volkanovski – 5/6
Topuria – 20/21
Via Betway.
Full card (topic to change)
Main card
Alexander Volkanovski (C) vs Ilia Topuria (featherweight title)
Robert Whittaker vs Paul Costa (middleweight)
Geoff Neal vs Ian Machado Garry (welterweight)
Merab Dvalishvili vs Henry Cejudo (bantamweight)
Anthony Hernandez vs Roman Kopylov (middleweight)
Ilia Topuria is 14-0 with 12 stoppage wins
(Getty Images)
Prelims
Amanda Lemos vs Mackenzie Dern (ladies’s strawweight)
Marcos Rogerio de Lima vs Justin Tafa (heavyweight)
Rinya Nakamura vs Carlos Vera (weight)
AJ Dobson vs Tresean Gore (middleweight)
Early prelims
Zhang Mingyang vs Brendson Ribeiro (light-heavyweight)
Yusaku Kinoshita vs Danny Barlow (welterweight)
Oban Elliot vs Val Woodburn (welterweight)
Andrea Lee vs Miranda Maverick (ladies’s flyweight)
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