UFC 298: kas saame uue sulgkaalu meistri?

The Ultimate Fighting Championship returns early Sunday morning with its second big fight show of the year, headlined by a featherweight title fight between Alexander “The Great” Volkanovski and Ilia “El Matador” Topuria . With the spectacle just around the corner, let’s take a quick look at the two main heroes of UFC 298.

Featherweight legend

For loyal combat sports fans, 35-year-old Aleksander Volkanovski ( 26-3-0 ) needs no introduction. With an impressive reign of over 1,500 days, Volkanovski has cemented his status as one of the UFC’s most dominant champions. Since winning the featherweight title at UFC 245, the Australian has defended his belt five times, displaying a combination of striking skill, wrestling prowess and strategic acumen that has left opponents scrambling to find an answer.

As the UFC’s fifth-longest reigning champion, Volkanovski’s journey to the top has meant challenges from some of the sport’s most formidable opponents. José Aldo , Brian Ortega and Max Holloway (three times!) are just a few of his high-profile victims.

Despite his recent setbacks at lightweight, where he lost twice to Islam Makhachov last year , Volkanovski remains a force to be reckoned with. Yes, he may not have managed to become a two-division champion yet, but Volkanovski remains undefeated in the featherweight division .

Since we have talked a lot about Volkanovski in the previous articles, this time we will take a closer look at the challenger.

Rising star

On the opposite side of the Octagon stands Ilia Topuria, an undefeated challenger who rose like a meteorite . With an unblemished 14-0 record , including a perfect 6-0 in the UFC, Topuria has quickly established himself in the featherweight division.

Armed with a versatile skill set that includes specific boxing, relentless pressure and tremendous fighting ability, Topuria will present Volkanovski with a unique challenge during his reign. Despite his relative rookie status in the UFC, Topuria’s dominance in the Octagon cannot be understated. With notable victories over experienced opponents such as Josh Emmet , Bryce Mitchell and Damon Jackson, he has earned a shot at championship gold.

The 27-year-old Spaniard/Georgian exudes unwavering confidence and the expectation of victory without relying on the judges’ decision. He has expressed his opinion that the Australian is actually his easiest opponent to date and predicts a quick first round knockout for himself. Given his superiority in various disciplines, Topuria brushes aside comparisons with Volk’s previous opponents, insisting that this is a unique challenge for the champion .

“I was born a UFC world champion. I know my level, I know myself, I have the ability to analyze all my opponents, and I know that I am better than anyone in my division, even in the next weight class, I am better than everyone,” the fighter said in an interview. Pride or confidence? maybe a mix of both?

A battle of styles

Both Volkanovski and Topuria bring contrasting styles and strengths to the Octagon. Volkanovski’s grip advantage and versatile skills make him a powerful opponent in both striking exchanges and grappling.

Topuria’s relentless pressure, technical boxing and submissions, however, threaten Volkanovski’s reign significantly. Moreover, Topuria has gone the distance only twice in his career , defeating eight opponents and knocking out another four. Despite his high submission percentage, Volkanovski has proven time and time again that his defense on the floor is top notch. Especially Islam against Makhachov, who is known for his wrestling skills.

With both fighters capable of finishing the fight in spectacular fashion, fans can expect a sizzling battle that will keep them on the edge of their seats with excitement from start to finish. But when will the finish line be reached? It is up to the fighters and we can only wait.

What are coefs?

While Topuria’s rise through the featherweight ranks has been impressive, Volkanovski’s experience, versatility and championship history give him a slight edge in this matchup.

Expect Volkanovski to use his reach and striking ability to keep Topuria at a safe distance. However, it’s almost certain that he’ll also need to show his best wrestling defense to control the fight on the floor, a department where Topuria shines.

Of course, Alexander Volkanovski is ready to retain his featherweight title and further cement his legacy as one of the UFC’s all-time greats.

However, we all know that in the unpredictable world of MMA, anything can happen . Either way, fans can rest assured that both Volkanovski and Topuria will find out the truth in the Octagon on Sunday morning.