UFC 298 Odds, Picks & Preview - Volkanovski v Topuria

Check out our UFC 298 odds, picks, preview, and all the betting odds for the MMA action this Saturday night.

How To Watch UFC 298

Start Time: The early prelims start at 11 pm GMT, the prelims start at 1 am and the main card begins at 3 am.

What TV Channel? TNT Sport 2, coverage begins at 1.00 am Saturday night/Sunday morning.

Location: Honda Center, California.

UFC 298 Odds

UFC 298 Main Card & Preliminary Card

Main Card

Main Event Featherweight: Alex Volkanovski (c) vs. Ilia Topuria

Middleweight: Robert Whittaker vs. Paulo Costa

Welterweight: Geoff Neal vs. Ian Machado Garry

Bantamweight: Merab Dvalishvili vs. Henry Cejudo

Middleweight: Anthony Hernandez vs. Roman Kopylov

Preliminary Card

Women's Strawweight: Amanda Lemos vs. Mackenzie Dern

Heavyweight: Marcos Rogério de Lima vs .Justin Tafa

Bantamweight: Rinya Nakamura vs. Carlos Vera

Light Heavyweight: Zhang Mingyang vs. Brendson Ribeiro

UFC 298 Picks & Predictions

Alex Volkanovski (c) vs. Ilia Topuria

Tale of the Tape

Form

Alex Volkanovski (35) is the current UFC Featherweight Champion and is currently ranked #3 in the UFC men's pound-for-pound rankings. However, despite his obvious credentials, he has lost 2 of his last 3 fights being defeated by Islam Makhachev by unanimous decision when he fought for the UFC Lightweight Championship at UFC 284.

He then defended his belt against Yair Rodríguez winning by TKO (Punches) at UFC 290 before losing again to Islan this time being KO’d at UFC 294.

He has been undefeated since signing for the UFC in September 2021 making his debut the following November v Andreas Michailidis winning the fight via technical knockout in round two earning Performance of the Night and currently has a record of four wins from four fights in the promotion.

Ilia Topuria (27) is currently #3 in the UFC featherweight rankings, having had a blistering start winning 6 from 6 bouts, his overall fighting record is 14 wins, 4 by knockout, 8 by submission 2 by decision. He last beat Josh Emmett via unanimous decision back in June with the fight-winning Fight of the Night.

Fighting styles

Volkanovski: Striker | Topuria: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Fight Analysis

This looks to be a classic meeting of “Veteran Champion” vs “Rising Star” Volkanovski may have lost 2 of his last 3 bouts, but at this weight class, he is an entirely different animal. Expect him to try and take the fight to Ilia early on he lands 6.19 significant strikers per minute at a success rate of 57% compared to his opponents' 4.44 and 46%.

The younger fighter will look to utilise his superior ground game; he averages a 2.19 takedown average and an accuracy of 56% to his opponent's 1.84 and 37%. Think he could look to keep the pace early and then try to submit Alexander in the later rounds.

Prediction: Alexander Volkanovski By KO, TKO or Disqualification @ 11/4

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Robert Whittaker vs. Paulo Costa

Tale of the Tape

Form

Robert Whittaker (33) is a former UFC Middleweight Champion, currently ranked as #3 in the division. However, in recent bouts, he has lost 2 of his last 3 including at UFC 290 where he lost to Dricus du Plessis via a punches TKO in Round 2.

His career record from 31 bouts is 24 victories 9 by knockout, 5 by submission and 10 by decision and 7 defeats 3 by knockout, 1 by submission and 3 by decision.

Paulo Costa (32) is currently #6 in the division, he is returning to the octagon following a hiatus with his last fight coming against Luke Rockhold at UFC 278 where he won by unanimous decision, which won the fight of the night.

Fighting styles

Whittaker: Striker | Costa: Striker

Fight Analysis

This bout pits two fighters who model their style on being “strikers” against one another. Costa looks to be the more effective and active puncher with 6.5 punches and a significant strike rate of 60% compared to Whittaker with 4.47 and 42%.

However, defence is where Whittaker wins this, he absorbs 3.39 strikes per minute and a defence of 60% compared to Costa with 6.38 and 47%. Ring rust will catch Costa and Whittaker finishes the fight early.

Prediction: Robert Whittaker By KO, TKO or Disqualification @ 3/1

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Geoff Neal vs. Ian Garry

Tale of the Tape

Form

Geoff Neal (33) is currently #8 in the UFC welterweight rankings, boosting a career record of 8 victories and 3 defeats since fighting in the Dana White contender series back in 2017. He most recently fought at a catchweight 175 lbs vs Shavkat Rakhmonov where he lost via submission at UFC 285, the fight was awarded fight of the night.

Ian Garry (26) looks to be the latest Irish Star in the UFC, before joining the UFC he was the Cage Warriors Welterweight Champion. He is currently ranked #10 in the UFC following an unbeaten start to his career in the promotion with 6 wins from 6 bouts including most recently at UFC 293 defeating Neil Magny by unanimous decision.

Fighting styles

Neal: Striker | Garry: Mixed Martial Artist

Fight Analysis

This is an interesting match-up, despite Neal being several inches shorter than Garry he has the marginally longer reach and slightly smaller leg reach. Neal lands 5.22 strikes per minute and 50% significant strikes to Garry’s 6.67 and 56%. Although Neal ranks better than him in defence 58% vs 53%, Garry looks to be more rounded with a takedown accuracy of 75% to Neal’s 44%.

Prediction: Ian Garry By KO, TKO or Disqualification @ 11/4

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