Tag: Alexander Volkanovski

UFC 298 ‘Embedded,’ No. 6: ‘I’m going to make history tomorrow night’

In the final installment of UFC 298 “Embedded,” fighters step on the official scale and have their final staredowns before fight night.

The UFC is back for its second pay-per-view of 2024, and the popular “Embedded” fight week video series is here to document what’s happening behind the scenes.

UFC 298 (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+) takes place Saturday at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.

In the main event, UFC featherweight champion [autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag] (26-3 MMA, 13-2 UFC) attempts another successful title defense, this time against [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] (14-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC). Middleweight contenders [autotag]Paulo Costa[/autotag] (14-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) and [autotag]Robert Whittaker[/autotag] (24-7 MMA, 15-5 UFC) face off in a long-awaited showdown in the co-main event.

Also on the card, a grudge match between [autotag]Ian Machado Garry[/autotag] (13-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) and [autotag]Geoff Neal[/autotag] (15-5 MMA, 7-3 UFC) finally materializes after [autotag]Henry Cejudo[/autotag] (16-3 MMA, 10-3 UFC) and [autotag]Merab Dvalishivili[/autotag] (16-4 MMA, 9-2 UFC) jostle for position atop the bantamweight division.

The sixth and final episode of “Embedded” follows the featured fighters while they get ready for fight week. Here is the UFC’s description of the episode from YouTube:

“Athletes weigh in and UFC 298 is set: champ Alexander Volkanovski vs Ilia Topuria, Robert Whittaker vs Paulo Costa, Geoff Neal vs Ian Machado Garry, Merab Dvalishvilli vs Henry Cejudo and more.”

Also see:

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 298.

Video: Which fight is the hidden gem of UFC 298?

Our “Spinning Back Clique” panel takes their pick of which UFC 298 fight is flying under the radar.

UFC 298 is topped by a fantastic title fight in the featherweight division.

Aside from [autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag]’s return to the 145-pound division to defend his title against an undefeated [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag], there are plenty of solid matchups throughout the card that could potentially steal the show.

But which of the bunch is the true hidden gem? Is it the main card opener [autotag]Anthony Hernandez[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Roman Kopylov[/autotag]? How about former two-division champ [autotag]Henry Cejudo[/autotag] taking on [autotag]Merab Dvalishvili[/autotag]? What about another former titleholder [autotag]Robert Whittaker[/autotag] taking on [autotag]Paulo Costa[/autotag]?

Our “Spinning Back Clique” panel of Farah Hannoun, Brian “Goze” Garcia and Danny Segura take their picks with host “Gorgeous” George Garcia.

Check out their discussion in the video above, and don’t miss this week’s full episode on YouTube or in podcast form below.

https://www.youtube.com/live/DpQXebnLHXU?si=PEqd-7rByiGTULnV

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 298.

UFC 298 video: Alexander Volkanovski, Ilia Topuria share one final intense faceoff before title clash

The stage is set for the UFC 298 main event after Alexander Volkanovski and Ilia Topuria had their final faceoff at ceremonial weigh-ins.

ANAHEIM, Calif. – The stage is set for the UFC 298 after [autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag] and [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] had their final faceoff at ceremonial weigh-ins.

After both men successfully made weight on Friday morning, Volkanovski (26-3 MMA, 13-2 UFC) and Topuria (14-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) conducted the last of their pre-fight obligations with one more staredown in front of fans and media before they step into the octagon to battle for the featherweight title.

Volkanovski will attempt to further solidify himself as one of the greatest 145-pound champions in history with a sixth consecutive defense. There are questions about his physical and mental state following a short-notice knockout loss to lightweight champ Islam Makhachev in October, and Topuria has promised to end the Aussie’s time on top and become an undefeated UFC titleholder.

Check out the video above to see the final staredown between Volkanovski and Topuria from UFC 298 ceremonial weigh-ins.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 298.

Michael Bisping doesn’t think ‘special fighter’ Alexander Volkanovski’s age is a factor at UFC 298

Michael Bisping thinks the UFC’s 35 and over curse shouldn’t apply to Alexander Volkanovski.

[autotag]Michael Bisping[/autotag] thinks the UFC’s 35 and over curse shouldn’t apply to [autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag].

The success rate for UFC title wins at the age of 35 and over in a weight class below 185 pounds has been very low. Volkanovski, 35, makes his sixth featherweight title defense against Ilia Topuria (14-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC 298 (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+) headliner at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.

“It’s a stat,” Bisping told ESPN. “It’s certainly true. He did point out, though, that a lot of the people that make up that stat, they were the challengers, not the champions. But you can’t look at numbers and stats like that and make that reflect onto a person. Alexander Volkanovski is a special fighter. We’ve seen what he’s done time and time again, the people that he’s beaten, the fashion that he’s beating them in. So I don’t think it applies.”

Volkanovski is coming off a knockout loss to lightweight champion Islam Makhachev this past October at UFC 294, but Bisping thinks that shouldn’t result in people discrediting Volkanovski – especially because he stepped in on short notice.

“We know he’s coming off the back of that loss to Islam Makhachev, but short notice, rolled the dice, stepped up a weight class – that was always a bad idea,” Bisping said. “But to be great, you’ve got to roll the dice and do things like that.

“So I don’t think there’s any reflection on him or his ability, what he can do at featherweight when you look at that fight. I guess we’re going to find out Saturday night, but I really don’t think his age is going to matter at all.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 298.

Renato Moicano: Alexander Volkanovski ‘is going to put on a masterclass’ against Ilia Topuria at UFC 298

Renato Moicano likes the way Alexander Volkanovski has carried himself ahead of UFC 298.

[autotag]Renato Moicano[/autotag] likes the way [autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag] has carried himself ahead of UFC 298.

Featherweight champion Volkanovski (26-3 MMA, 13-2 UFC) takes on [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] (14-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) in Saturday’s main event (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+) at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.

Despite Volkanovski being a five-time defending champion, he’s only a slight favorite against undefeated Topuria. Moicano thinks Volkanovski’s knockout loss to lightweight champion Makhachev at UFC 294 played a factor in those odds, but likes the champion’s headspace going into this fight.

“Topuria’s good, great boxer, but Volkanovski is on another level,” Moicano said on his YouTube channel. “I do think Volkanovski is going to put on a masterclass against Topuria. I think he will dominate the fight. It could be a hard fight – this is an MMA fight, motherf*cker. Everything can happen.

“And I like the way Volkanovski was talking about that: ‘It’s a fight. Everything can happen. He can get me with a big punch. But other than that, I’m not going to be a target for him – I will move.’ And we’re going to see point by point. I think a lot of people are discrediting Volkanovski because of his last fight.”

Moicano referenced Volkanovski’s pre-fight interview with The MacLife to draw confidence in his pick. He likes that Volkanovski isn’t underestimating Topuria.

“Volkanovski is better in every other area except boxing,” Moicano said. “I think Topuria is better at boxing, maybe has more punching power. But as a martial artist, Volkanovski is way better than him. At least what he’s saying, he knows that. He knows that (Topuria) could drop him with one punch, so that means Volkanovski is aware of Topuria’s power and he’s not going to play any games trying to outbox Topuria.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 298.

UFC 298 ‘Embedded,’ No. 5: Inside Merab Dvalishvili’s room as he suits up for the press conference

In the fifth installment of UFC 298 “Embedded,” Merab Dvalishvili makes sure he’s sharply dressed for his press conference appearance.

The UFC is back for its second pay-per-view of 2024, and the popular “Embedded” fight week video series is here to document what’s happening behind the scenes.

UFC 298 (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+) takes place Saturday at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.

In the main event, UFC featherweight champion [autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag] (26-3 MMA, 13-2 UFC) attempts another successful title defense, this time against [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] (14-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC). Middleweight contenders [autotag]Paulo Costa[/autotag] (14-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) and [autotag]Robert Whittaker[/autotag] (24-7 MMA, 15-5 UFC) face off in a long-awaited showdown in the co-main event.

Also on the card, a grudge match between [autotag]Ian Machado Garry[/autotag] (13-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) and [autotag]Geoff Neal[/autotag] (15-5 MMA, 7-3 UFC) finally materializes after [autotag]Henry Cejudo[/autotag] (16-3 MMA, 10-3 UFC) and [autotag]Merab Dvalishivili[/autotag] (16-4 MMA, 9-2 UFC) jostle for position atop the bantamweight division.

The fifth episode of “Embedded” follows the featured fighters while they get ready for fight week. Here is the UFC’s description of the episode from YouTube:

“Champ Alex Volkanovski trains. Robert Whittaker and Henry Cejudo talk to the broadcast team. Merab Dvalishvili suits up for the presser. Whittaker faces off with Paulo Costa; Volkanovski dozes as Ilia Topuria eyes his belt.”

Also see:

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=420030788]

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 298.

UFC 298 video: Alexander Volkanovski, Ilia Topuria make weight for featherweight title clash

The second UFC title fight of 2024 is official after Alexander Volkanovski and Ilia Topuria made weight for the UFC 298 headliner.

ANAHEIM, Calif. – The second UFC title fight of 2024 is official after [autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag] and [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] made weight for Saturday’s UFC 298 headliner.

After suffering a knockout loss to lightweight champ Islam Makhachev in a short-notice bout in October, Volkanovski (26-3 MMA, 13-2 UFC) returns to the weight class where he holds gold against undefeated challenger Topuria (14-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC).

Volkanovski had no issues getting back down to his most frequent weight, hitting 144.5 pounds on the scale during Friday’s UFC 298 official weigh-ins at the UFC host hotel. The challenger Topuria, who has had weight-related issues in the past, hit the mark at 144.5 pounds for his first title opportunity.

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Check out the video above to see Volkanovski and Topuria make weight for the UFC 298 main event.

UFC 298 takes place at Honda Center. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 298.

Alexander Volkanovski serious about stepping in for UFC 300 headliner, Ilia Topuria fires back

Alexander Volkanovski is happy to offer his services for UFC 300 if he gets past Ilia Topuria.

ANAHEIM, Calif. – [autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag] is happy to offer his services for UFC 300 if he gets past [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag].

Featherweight champion Volkanovski (26-3 MMA, 13-2 UFC) will look to notch his sixth title defense against unbeaten Topuria (14-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC 298 (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+) main event at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.

Volkanovski, who stepped in on short notice to save the UFC 294 headliner this past October against lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, is still willing to assume that role if the promotion is struggling to find a main event for UFC 300 on April 13.

“I plan on doing work this weekend, and I don’t know if they found something for UFC 300. Maybe I can go and save the show there as well,” Volkanovski said during Thursday’s UFC 298 pre-fight press conference. “I ain’t lying about that. … This old man’s got a lot of dog left in him.”

Topuria, who predicted a first-round knockout, was quick to let Volkanovski know that he literally won’t let him do that.

“At UFC 300, you’re going to still be in the hospital,” Topuria responded. “Be recovering. Trust me.”

Volkanovski wasn’t successful when stepping in against Makhachev at UFC 294, losing their rematch by first-round knockout. “The Great” hasn’t given up on his lightweight title hopes, and says a quick turnaround for UFC 300 would have to be at 155 pounds anyway.

“I’m more than happy to fight in the UFC 300 main event,” Volkanovski told Sports Illustrated. “It wouldn’t be a featherweight fight. It would have to be a lightweight opponent, and I’d be more than happy to take that on.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 298.

UFC veterans in MMA and bareknuckle action Feb. 16-17

Check out which veterans of the UFC are competing in combat sports across the globe this weekend.

This week, the UFC travels to Anaheim, Calif. for its second pay-per-view event of the year, UFC 298.

The event at the Honda Center features a featherweight title fight between champ [autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag] and challenger [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag].

Many other combat sports events are taking place that feature several familiar names that have competed under the UFC banner.

Check out which veterans of the global MMA leader are competing Feb. 16-17.

Scroll below to see how the UFC veterans fared last week, and see the names and details of this weekend’s competitors.

Upcoming event information from Tapology.

Video: UFC 298 press conference faceoffs with Whittaker-Costa, Neal-Garry, Dvalishvili-Cejudo

The stacked UFC 298 main card engaged in faceoffs following Thursday’s pre-fight press conference.

ANAHEIM, Calif. – The UFC 298 pre-fight press conference went down Thursday and it was the initial opportunity to get a look at fighter staredowns for the second numbered event of 2024.

The card, which is headlined by a featherweight title bout between [autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag] (26-3 MMA, 13-2 UFC) and [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] (14-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC), goes down Saturday at Honda Center with a main card that airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+.

In addition to the main event, a stacked slate of matchups round out the undercard. That includes [autotag]Robert Whittaker[/autotag] (24-7 MMA, 15-5 UFC) vs. [autotag]Paulo Costa[/autotag] (14-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC), [autotag]Geoff Neal[/autotag] (15-5 MMA, 7-3 UFC) vs. [autotag]Ian Machado Garry[/autotag] (13-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC), [autotag]Merab Dvalishvili[/autotag] (16-4 MMA, 9-2 UFC) vs. [autotag]Henry Cejudo[/autotag] (16-3 MMA, 10-3 UFC) and [autotag]Anthony Hernandez[/autotag] (11-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) vs. [autotag]Roman Kopylov[/autotag] (12-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC).

All five pairings were in attendance at the pre-fight press conference, where they answered questions and engaged in faceoffs.

Check out the video above to see all the staredowns.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 298.