UFC 298 Preview: Volkanovski vs. Topuria Title Fight and Other Exciting Matchups

This weekend, UFC makes its way to Honda Center in Anaheim, California, for an action-packed PPV event. The main event is a fight for the featherweight title between Alexander Volkanovski and Ilia Topuria. Volkanovski will defend his title against the undefeated Topuria, with a record of 14-0-0​.

Another exciting event to look forward to is the middleweight bout between Robert Whittaker and Paulo Costa.

Here’s a preview of what to expect from UFC 298.

Main Card: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Ilia Topuria

Volkanovski (26-3-0) is coming off a loss against Islam Makhachev at UFC 294 in the lightweight division. Topuria (14-0-0), meanwhile, has made a quick rise in the UFC ranks with fourteen straight wins since joining the promotion in late 2020.

Alexander Volkanovski UFC 300 Main Event? ‘The Great’ Offers To Headline After Crushing Ilia Topuria

Volkanovski is expected to have a size advantage with a height difference of one inch and a reach advantage of two inches. Volkanovski will likely try to keep the fight standing, using his reach advantage and striking power to control the bout and stay clear of Topuria’s deadly ground game.

Middleweight: Robert Whittaker vs. Paulo Costa

In the co-main event, middleweight rivals Whittaker (25-7-0) and Costa (14-2-0) will square off for the first time.

Although Costa has had a limited competition schedule since 2017, he has faced and won against highly-ranked opponents. One particular bout is a unanimous decision win over Yoel Romero at UFC 241, a highly acclaimed fight. On the other hand, Whittaker is coming off an upset loss to Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 290.

Despite occasional appearances in the octagon, Costa is famous for his intense fighting technique and powerful hits. Whittaker’s signature is his stamina, so his game plan might involve wearing Costa out early on and then moving in for the win in the last rounds of the fight.

Welterweight: Ian Machado Garry vs. Geoff Neal

Ian Machado Garry (13-0-0) is set to face off against Geoff Neal (15-5-0) in the welterweight division.

It’s a classic striker matchup, with both fighters known for their stand-up game. Garry’s advantage may lie in his more strategic, measured approach, contrasting with Neal’s more aggressive style, grounded in power punching. This fight could determine whether Garry is a contender or another up-and-coming prospect.

Bantamweight: Merab Dvalishvili vs. Henry Cejudo

Merab Dvalishvili (16-4-0) will take on former two-division champion Henry Cejudo (16-3-0) in the bantamweight division. Cejudo and Dvalishvili are set to face off in the bantamweight division, with Cejudo being a wrestling champion and Olympic gold medalist, while Dvalishvili is recognized for his relentless wrestling and pace.

How to Watch UFC 298

UFC 298 will be available exclusively on PPV through ESPN+. The schedule for the event includes an early start at 6 p.m. ET for preliminaries, then 8 p.m. ET for more prelims, and finally, the main card beginning at 10 p.m. ET.

If you’re watching from another country, you can check your local listings for availability on networks such as Sony Ten, Sony Ten 2, and Sony LIV.

UFC 298 Fight Card and Odds

Here’s a look at the fight card with odds (subject to change):

Alexander Volkanovski enters as the favorite in the main card with odds at -130, facing off against Ilia Topuria, who is the underdog at +110. The middleweight division sees Robert Whittaker favored with odds ranging from -220 to -250, taking on Paulo Costa, whose odds are between +180 to +190.

In the bantamweight category, Merab Dvalishvili is the favorite, with odds fluctuating from -200 to -278, as he competes against Henry Cejudo, who is seen as the underdog with odds of +170 to +210. The welterweight bout has Ian Garry as the favorite, with his odds slightly varying from -225 to -230, against Geoff Neal, who is the underdog with odds of +188 to +190.