Alexander Volkanovski vs. Ilia Topuria Pre-Fight Analysis | Does Alex gets KO’d 2nd round ?

The wait is finally over for UFC 298, which takes place tonight at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA.

The night’s headlining fight is a huge featherweight title bout between defending champion Alexander Volkanovski and unbeaten challenger Ilia Topuria.

Volkanovski spent UFC 298 fight week playing into Topuria’s claim that the champion's age would keep him from defending his belt for a sixth time, and “The Great” will be motivated to hand the brash challenger his first defeat following a knockout-loss to Islam Makhachev

The second PPV of 2024 is here. UFC 298 lands in Anaheim, California on Saturday night with a loaded fight card sure to delight fans after a slow start to the year. The featherweight title is up for grabs when champion Alexander Volkanovski looks to turn away his latest challenger in Ilia Topuria in the main event. Volkanovski has remarkably held the title for over four years despite a pair of challenges against lightweight champ Islam Makhachev where he came up short.

It's been a while since Volkanovski faced this much doubt for a featherweight title defense. Volkanovski is a slight betting favorite heading to the Honda Center in Anaheim. It's a narrow margin considering his status to some as MMA's greatest featherweight, but he's facing one of the sport's fastest-rising stars. Topuria is a featherweight force with 12 stoppages in 14 undefeated fights. Damage is guaranteed even when going the distance. Just ask Josh Emmett, who Topuria scored an unfathomable 50-42 scorecard against to earn his title shot. Volkanovski's relatively quick turnaround after getting head-kicked by Makhachev in October only compacts concerns.

"[I see myself] as one of the greatest in the featherweight division," Topuria said during Wednesday's UFC 298 media day. "They are going to remember me, too, as they remember Jose Aldo, Conor McGregor and Alex Volkanovski. I'm going to put myself in that book."

"I don't need to prove anything," Volkanovski told UFC.com. "I'm just going to keep getting better, keep building my legacy and I'll let the people decide that. You're not going to get everyone on your side. That's just impossible. Trust me, I've tried early in my career. I wanted everyone to know I'm a nice guy. It ain't going to work. Even no matter how nice you are, you're going to get haters."

Who do you have winning?

Thanks for watching guys!!!
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