UFC 298 concluded with an explosive series of matches, delivering a card packed with unexpected twists and turns. Here’s a rundown of the highlights:
Illia Topuria shocks the world
Illia Topuria shocked the world by securing a second-round knockout victory over Alexander Volkanovski, claiming the coveted title of UFC featherweight champion. Notably, this marked Topuria’s 15th professional bout, maintaining an impeccable undefeated record throughout his career. Moreover, he etched his name in history as the inaugural Georgian and Spanish UFC champion.
Paulo Costa and Robert Whittaker go to war
In the co-main event, Paulo Costa and Robert Whittaker engaged in a thrilling battle. Whittaker showcased his enduring prowess, dispelling any doubts stemming from his previous knockout loss against DDP. Meanwhile, Costa demonstrated his mettle, proving himself as a formidable contender in the octagon.
Other significant details of the main-card
Additional standout moments included Merab’s dominant performance against Henry Cejudo, who notably departed the arena sans gloves, hinting at a possible retirement. Ian Garry also impressed with a hard-fought unanimous decision victory over Geoff Neal, while Anthony Hernandez secured a second-round submission win against Roman Kopylov.
The rest of the card results
- Ilia Topuria def. Alexander Volkanovski (c) via second-round knockout (punch)
- Robert Whittaker def. Paulo Costa via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
- Ian Machado Garry def. Geoff Neal via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27)
- Merab Dvalishvili def. Henry Cejudo via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Anthony Hernandez def. Roman Kopylov via second-round submission (rear-naked choke)
- Amanda Lemos def. Mackenzie Dern via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Marcos Rogerio de Lima def. Junior Tafa via second-round TKO (kicks, punches)
- Rinya Nakamura def. Carlos Vera via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Zhang Mingyang def. Brendson Ribiero via first-round TKO (punches)
- Danny Barlow def. Josh Quinlan via third-round TKO (punches)
- Oban Elliott def. Val Woodburn via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- Miranda Maverick def. Andrea Lee via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Overall, UFC 298 delivered a memorable spectacle, revitalizing the featherweight division which had stagnated under Volkanovski’s reign. The future holds promise for these fighters as they continue to carve their legacies in the world of mixed martial arts.
