Ilia Topuria looks to be the one to dethrone Alexander Volkanovski and become UFC featherweight champion. Can he win the belt, or will “The Great” continue his reign after UFC 297 on February 17? UFC 298 airs on ESPN+ in the U.S.
The Spanish fighter born in Germany has quickly climbed the ladder in MMA by decimating the competition in the octagon. Going 6-0 to start his UFC career, only two of Topuria’s fights have gone the distance. Considered a novice compared to Volkanovski, the 27-year-old Topuria is confident and ready to put gold around his waist.
“It always was my destiny to become a UFC world champion,” Topuria told The New York Post. “Look, here’s the thing that a lot of people [are] confusing this: It’s not like it’s an easy fight, because every fight, it’s very tough, and specifically with someone like him, when you’re fight a guy who defends his belt so many times, he was a pound-for-pound No. 1. But, yeah, for sure, I’m going to make it look easy because I’m different.”
WATCH: UFC 298: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Ilia Topuria, exclusively on ESPN+
Volkanovski, 35, is undefeated in the octagon at the featherweight level. The only blip in his UFC career is two losses against Islam Makhachev for lightweight gold. “The Great” has one of the longest active title reigns in UFC history and is ready to defend the title successfully for a sixth time.
Other fighters competing at UFC 298 include Robert Whittaker, Ian Machado Garry, Henry Cejudo, Mackenzie Dern, Miranda Maverick, and more. The Sporting News will provide results, analysis, and highlights for UFC 298. Stay tuned!
UFC 298 results, highlights
Merab Dvalishvili dominates Henry Cejudo in front of Mark Zuckerberg
I have it 19-19 heading into round three. Merab talking to Mark Zuckerberg while having Cejudo in the guillotine was an amazing visual. A single leg by Dvalishvili and he pushed Cejudo into the cage. Cejudo back in the middle and landed a low kick. Dvalishvili was stalking Cejudo and landed a crisp right. He pushed forward and picked Cejudo up and dropped him in front of Zuckerberg. So cruel. Merab is now the top contender for the UFC bantamweight title.
CONFIRMED: Zuck is a BIG UFC guy #UFC298 pic.twitter.com/rFRHR5bxA2
— UFC (@ufc) February 18, 2024
11:05 p.m. ET: Dvalishvili landed a low kick and a punch to start round two. Cejudo swung around, went for a single, and then got on Dvalishvili’s back. Right hand by Dvalishvili. Single leg by Cejudo but Dvalishvili landed a huge shot that rocked Cejudo. Body shot by Cejudo and a shot the face by Dvalishvili. A single leg by Dvalishvili that dropped Cejudo. On his back, Dvalishvili ragdolled Cejudo. Back up, Dvalishvili had Cejudo in a guillotine.
10:55 p.m. ET: Cejudo looked calm as he landed leg kicks in round one. Dvalishvili tried to intimidate Cejudo. Cejudo with a left hand out of nowhere. Dvalishvili went for a takedown and got it. Back up, Cejudo tried to go on offense, and reversed a shot and landed on top of Dvalishvili. It is a game of cat and mouse, and only a three-round fight. By the cage, Cejudo wouldn’t give Dvalishvili a chance to breathe.
10:45 p.m. ET: Top bantamweight contender Merab Dvalishvili faces former double-champion Henry Cejudo. With friend Aljamain Sterling no longer champion, Dvalishvili could finally secure a title shot with a win.
Former Pride Champion Wanderlei Silva will be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame. Pride Never Die!
Welcome to the #UFCHOF, @WandFC 👏
He’s the 2nd member of the UFC Hall of Fame Class of 2024! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/GOBf6ViHXS
— UFC (@ufc) February 18, 2024
Anthony Hernandez submits Roman Kopylov in entertaining UFC 298 PPV opener
10:30 p.m. ET: Round two saw Kopylov return to the leg kicks and straight punches. Hernandez tried outpunching him, but Kopylov drilled him with a kick. Hernandez was on his back, and finally properly took him down. By the cage, Hernandez secured a choke and Kopylov got out of it… but not for long. Hernandez got the choke back in and forced him to tap. What an ending!
10:25 p.m. ET: The crowd was a big fan of “Fluffy” Hernandez, the hometown hero. Kopylov used his kicks to inflict damage early. He landed a straight left and a kick to the gut that pushed Hernandez back. Hernandez landed a punch and tried to take him down, but Kopylov used his superb takedown defense to avoid it. Hernandez landed crisp rights. Hernandez with a successful takedown before the end of the first round.
10:15 p.m. ET: The first fight of the main card is Anthony Hernandez vs. Roman Kopylov. Hernandez came out to Por Ti Volare, putting him at the top for Song of the Night.
10 p.m. ET: The main card has started.
9:30 p.m, ET: The last prelim of the night is Amanda Lemos vs. Mackenzie Dern. Dern was compromised right away, with her leg bright red and overreaching. She recovered well in the third but it wasn’t enough to secure the win.
9:10 p.m. ET: Marcos Rogerio de Lima vs. Junior Tafa is next. Fight is hard to predict now that Junior came in on one days notice. He takes over for his brother Justin. Tafa’s legs were shot right away after de Lima chopped him down. The end result was inevitable, as de Lima went back after the legs and Tafa was forced to the floor.
8:40 p.m. ET: College hoops ended so there are more fans watching UFC 298 now. Just in time for Rinya Nakamura vs. Carlos Vera. Vera appeared injured following the first round and Nakamura bullied him through the fight. Nakamura with an easy unanimous decision win.
8:20 p.m. ET: Zhang Mingyang made an immediate impact in his first U.S. fight, winning via knockout. The fighter could be the next big thing to come from China.
Zhang Mingyang with a NASTY hook 🪝 #UFC298 pic.twitter.com/tYemtjRjv5
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) February 18, 2024
8 p.m. ET: The prelims have begun, with Zhang Mingyang facing Brendson Ribeiro in light heavyweight action.
7:45 p.m. ET: To end the early prelims, Danny Barlow beat Josh Quinlan following vicious shots in the third round.
BARLOW WAS RELENTLESS 😳
Stream #UFC298 NOW on ESPN 📺 pic.twitter.com/qhydMfmsUB
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) February 18, 2024
7 p.m. ET: In the early prelims, Miranda Maverick defeated Andrea Lee via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28), while Oban Elliott impressed against Val Woodburn, beating him via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28).
Hello everyone, and welcome to The Sporting News’ live coverage of UFC 298.
UFC 298 date, time, schedule for Alexander Volkanovski vs. Ilia Topuria
The early prelims start at 6 p.m. ET, with the prelims at 8 p.m. ET. The main card is at 10 p.m. ET. Volkanovski and Topuria should make their way to the octagon around 12:15 a.m. ET, depending on how long the undercard fights last.
| Region | Date | Early Prelims Start Time | Prelims Start Time | Main Card Start Time | Main Event Ring Walks (approx.) |
| USA and Canada (ET) | Saturday, February 17 | 6 p.m. ET | 8 p.m. ET | 10 p.m. ET | 12:15 a.m. ET |
| USA and Canada (PT) | Saturday, February 17 | 3 p.m. PT | 5 p.m. PT | 7 p.m. PT | 9:15 p.m. PT |
| UK and Ireland | Sunday, February 18 | 11 p.m. GMT | 1 a.m. GMT | 3 a.m. GMT | 5:15 a.m. GMT |
| Australia | Sunday, February 18 | 10 a.m. AEDT | 12 p.m. AEDT | 2 p.m. AEDT | 4:15 p.m. AEDT |
MORE: Ranked: The 25 best MMA fighters under the age of 25
How to watch UFC 298: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Ilia Topuria
| Country | Date | Channel + Live Stream (main card) |
| United States | Saturday, February 17 | ESPN+, ESPN PPV |
| Canada | Saturday, February 17 | BELL, Rogers, Shaw, SaskTel, Videotron, Telus, Eastlink, UFC PPV on UFC Fight Pass |
| United Kingdom | Sunday, February 18 | TNT Sports, TNT Sports Box Office |
| Australia | Sunday, February 18 | Main Event, Kayo Sports, Fetch TV, UFC PPV on UFC Fight Pass |
UFC 298: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Ilia Topuria PPV price: How much does UFC 298 cost?
In the U.S., the UFC 298 main card is available via pay-per-view on ESPN+, which also requires a subscription. The PPV price for UFC 298 is $79.99 for current subscribers. New subscribers can pay a bundle price of $134.98 for the UFC 298 pay-per-view and an ESPN+ annual subscription, which offers savings of more than 30 percent.
In the UK, the main card is on TNT Sports Box Office and will cost £19.99.
WATCH: UFC 298: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Ilia Topuria, exclusively on ESPN+
| Product | Prices |
|---|---|
| ESPN+ Monthly Subscription | $10.99/mo |
| ESPN+ Annual Subscription | $109.99/yr |
| The Disney Bundle w/Hulu Ad-Supported | $14.99/mo |
| The Disney Bundle w/Hulu No-Ads | $24.99/mo |
| UFC PPV Standalone | $79.99 each |
| UFC PPV Package (UFC PPV & ESPN+ Annual) | $134.98, then $109.99/year |
| UFC PPV & The Disney Bundle |
$79.99, then $14.99/mo |
Click here to learn about the different pricing and bundling options with the ESPN+ platform.
UFC 298 results
Main card
- Alexander Volkanovski (c) vs. Ilia Topuria for the UFC featherweight title
- Rob Whittaker vs. Paulo Costa; Middleweights
- Geoff Neal vs. Ian Machado Garry; Welterweights
- Merab Dvalishvili def. Henry Cejudo via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Anthony Hernandez def. Roman Kopylov via rear-naked choke submission (3:28 into round two)
Prelims
- Amanda Lemos def. Mackenzie Dern unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Marcos Rogerio de Lima def. Junior Tafa via TKO (1:14 into round two)
- Rinya Nakamura def. Carlos Vera via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Zhang Mingyang def. Brendson Ribeiro via KO (1:41 into round one)
Early Prelims
- Danny Barlow def. Josh Quinlan via TKO (1:18 into round three)
- 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)
