Tag: Alexander Volkanovski

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.

‘Get your hands off my belt’: Ilia Topuria steals Alexander Volkanovski’s gold at UFC 298 news conference

Watch Alexander Volkanovski break character after Ilia Topuria hijacked his title ahead of UFC 298.

ANAHEIM, Calif. – [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] can’t seem to keep his hands off Alexander Volkanovski’s title belt ahead of their UFC 298 clash.

After he posed with the UFC featherweight title earlier in the week, Topuria (14-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) did it again, this time during the pre-fight news conference with a live audience of screaming fans at Honda Center.

Topuria’s decision to snatch the belt, which was propped up in front of Volkanovski (26-3 MMA, 13-2 UFC), came late in the news conference after several exchanges with “Old Man Volk.”

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The hijacking seemed to snap Volkanovski out of his old man character, as the champion sternly warned Topuria.

“Like I said, you may as well take advantage of it now,” Volkanovski said. “You’re never going to see at again, not until I teach you a lesson. Maybe one day you can be a great champion. I’m going to kick your ass first. You’ll learn your lesson. Maybe you can bounce back after that. But until then, get your hands off my belt.”

Watch the moment from the pre-fight news conference in the video above.

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

‘Old Man Volk’ arrives! Geriatric Alexander Volkanovski shows up at UFC 298 press conference

“Old Man Volk” hobbled, slept, and threatened to give UFC 298 foe Ilia Topuria a proper spanking at the pre-fight news conference.

Not even age could hold [autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag] back at the UFC 298 news conference.

Dressed in his signature flat cap, sweater, collared shirt and dress pants, “Old Man Volk” bounded up the stairs Thursday at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. showing he still has some pep in his step after all these years.

Volkanovski peered at trash-talking opponent through a set of glasses. [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] berated his elder foe and even challenged Volkanovski to “do something.” By the time Volkanovski hobbled to his feet, Topuria had cooled off – and UFC security was in between. Volkanovski threatened to give the whippersnapper a spanking.

Between Volkanovski, Topuria, Ian Garry, Merab Dvalishvili, Henry Cejudo, and the rest of the gang, the energy shifted throughout the event – so much so that “Old Man Volk” tuckered himself out and needed a nap midway through.

He was later awoken by borderline elder abuse, as Topuria once again snatched Volkanovski’s belt.

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Then, it was like Volkanovski traveled in a time machine. His voice and movements changed – like magic.

“You might as well take advantage of it now,” Volkanovski said. “You’re never going to see it again.”

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

UFC 298 video: Ilia Topuria has words for ‘Old Man’ Alexander Volkanovski in first faceoff

Alexander Volkanovski and Ilia Topuria got their first look at each other on UFC 298 fight week Thursday at the pre-fight press conference.

ANAHEIM, Calif – [autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag] and [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] got their first look at each other on UFC 298 fight week Wednesday at the pre-fight press conference.

After answering questions from reporters and exchanging words, featherweight champion Volkanovski (26-3 MMA, 13-2 UFC), who came dressed up as an old man, and undefeated challenger Topuria (14-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) had another intense faceoff where words were exchanged.

Check out the video of the faceoff between Volkanovski and Topuria from the UFC 298 pre-fight press conference above.

Volkanovski will return to 145 pounds for the bout with Topuria following his knockout loss to Islam Makhachev in their short-notice rematch at UFC 294 in October. The Aussie attempts to make a sixth defense of his belt, while Topuria looks to join a shortlist of UFC champs with an unblemished record.

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

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

Video: Is champ Alexander Volkanovski being short-changed as just a slight favorite at UFC 298?

Our “Spinning Back Clique” panel goes inside the odds for Alexander Volkanovski, who opened as a slight underdog against Ilia Topuria.

UFC featherweight champion [autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag] seems to be embracing any questions about how much time he’s got left as champion ahead of his next title defense Saturday.

Volkanovski (26-3 MMA, 13-2 UFC) puts his title on the line against unbeaten challenger Ilia Topuria (14-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) in the UFC 298 (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+) headliner at Honda Center in Anaheim. At most online sportsbooks, Volkanovski opened as a slight underdog – a rarity for a UFC champion.

During fight week, bettors seem to be backing the champ, leaving him now a slight favorite midweek. But still, there are doubters, and Volkanovski knows it. He cut a funny promo video mocking people who think he’s too old. But there’s got to be a reason he has doubters, even though his only slip-ups have been when he’s challenged for the lightweight title, and never at 145 pounds.

Why isn’t he getting as much respect as most champs seem to get, particularly against an opponent who has a nice record, but doesn’t have the same kind of resume as Volkanovski? Our “Spinning Back Clique” panel of Farah Hannoun, Brian “Goze” Garcia and Danny Segura break it down 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

UFC 298 ‘Embedded,’ No. 4: Chef Alexander Volkanovski serves team despite cutting weight

On the fourth episode of UFC 298 “Embedded,” Alexander Volkanovski flexes his cooking skills and his will power while cutting weight.

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 fourth 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:

“Merab Dvalishvili hits the open road. Paulo Costa refuses to rest. Champ Alexander Volkanovski cooks. Dvalishvili offers Aljo a new job. Robert Whittaker chats with Ian Garry Machado and Michael Bisping; Ilia Topuria feels out the belt.”

Also see:

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

UFC 298 breakdown: Ilia Topuria has what it takes, but is he the one to dethrone Alexander Volkanovski?

MMA Junkie fight analyst Dan Tom takes a closer look at the UFC 298 main event between Alexander Volkanovski and Ilia Topuria.

MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom breaks down the UFC’s top bouts. Today, we look at the main event for UFC 298.

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

 

UFC 298 video: Ilia Topuria poses with UFC belt, then runs into Alexander Volkanovski

Watch Ilia Topuria pose with the UFC belt and then run into Alexander Volkanovski ahead of UFC 298.

[autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] is certainly not a superstitious guy.

Days away from his UFC featherweight title fight against champion [autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag], Topuria (14-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) had no issue picking the UFC belt, putting it around his waist, and then doing a little impromptu photo shoot.

And amid his enjoyment of what he could potentially make his own this Saturday at UFC 298, the champ Volkanovski (26-3 MMA, 13-2 UFC) walked him to remind him that’s as close as he will ever get to the UFC featherweight belt.

You can watch the interaction between Topuria and Volkanovski in the video below:

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

Alexander Volkanovski driven by UFC 298 narratives, says don’t be surprised if Ilia Topuria fight looks easy

“I won’t be surprised – and you shouldn’t be surprised – if I make it look easy,” Alexander Volkanovski said of Ilia Topuria before UFC 298.

IRVINE, Calif. – UFC featherweight champion [autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag] is coming off a devastating knockout defeat. He’s 35, and in front of him is a 27-year-old undefeated talent in [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag], who is raring to claim gold.

For these reasons, some people say, Volkanovski is at his most vulnerable to lose the belt he’s held for more than four years.

“All these narratives, I love it,” Volkanovski said Wednesday at UFC 298 media day. “Everyone knows I thrive in these moments. When people doubt me, it’s the best.”

Volkanovski (26-3 MMA, 13-2 UFC) meets Topuria (14-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) in the main event of UFC 298 (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+) on Saturday night at Honda Center in Anaheim. It’s the champ’s return to 145 pounds after losing to lightweight titleholder Islam Makhachev for a second time last October at UFC 294. In the immediate moments afterward, Volkanovski had an emotional breakdown while explaining why he took that fight on just 11 days’ notice.

Nearly four months later, Volkanovski said he’s in a much better mental state, which has him seeing things clearly. Heading into UFC 298, it feels like the most he’s been counted out as champion, which is just fine with him.

“It doesn’t get to me,” Volkanovski said. “If I didn’t go out there and do what happened in October, these conversations are much different – believe me. You can say all you want, ‘This is the guy (to beat me).’ Post-fight press conference, it’s gonna be a totally different conversation.”

Alexander Volkanovski, UFC 294

Volkanovski has no issue acknowledging how good Topuria has been. While he believes Topuria’s abundant trash talk is a curious way of going about business heading into his first title shot, he also understands it – and is thankful considering it builds the fight.

“I’m ready for a young, hungry prospect to come and bring a fight,” Volkanovski said, before adding, “but I won’t be surprised – and you shouldn’t be surprised – if I make it look easy. I’m not saying that’s exactly how it is. I’m not cocky like that. I’ve prepared properly, but if he doesn’t land a punch and I rag-doll him and make him look like nothing in there, you shouldn’t be surprised.”

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

Video: UFC 298 media day interviews

Before UFC 298 on Saturday, the main card and prelim fighters are scheduled to speak to reporters at media day.

ANAHEIM, Calif. – The UFC 298, which takes place at Honda Center with a main card that airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+, goes down Saturday.

Before fight night arrives, though, notable athletes from the main card and preliminary are scheduled to speak to reporters Wednesday at media day, and MMA Junkie will be on-site.

Check below for the archived videos of each media day.

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