Pre-fight Discussion UFC 298: Volkanovski vs. Topuria, Sat. Feb. 17, Prelims 6:30pm ET Espn+, Main ppv 10pm ET

[PurpleStorm]

As we recover from the weekend let's pause and say heck yes! to the stacked card this Saturday February 17. UFC 298: Volkanovski vs. Topuria live from Honda Center in Anaheim, California. Will self-proclaimed Alexander the Great defeat the confident Ilia Topuria (who has won six in a row - four by finish)? Will Robert Whittaker or Paulo Costa revive their career? Someone's gotta do it. Ian Garry hasn't made many friends with his trash talk. Wearing a t-shirt with the mug shot of Geoff Neal is low even for trash standards. Of Garry, Neal simply says "I want to kill him." Who shall prevail? We know Henry Cejudo can prevent takedowns. Will Triple C show ring rust after being out for so long? Or will the relentless Dvalishvili show him who is now boss? At women's strawweight will grappler Mackenzie Dern get back to winning ways or will striker Amanda Lemos ascend?

What are your takes on these and other questions for this card? Let's enjoy this week's pre-fight discussion. Throughout the week we'll have more content like previews and articles. All we ask is that you keep the conversation civil.

*** Trivia question. Who has starred in the most Super Bowl commercials? The answer is at the end of this post. ***

Main Card ppv​

Featherweight - Main Event - Title Fight Alexander Volkanovski 26-3 vs. Ilia Topuria 14-0-0​

Co-Main: Robert Whittaker 25-7-0 Paulo Costa 14-2-0
Geoff Neal 14-5-0 vs. Ian Garry 13-0-0
Merab Dvalishvili 16-4-0 vs. Henry Cejudo 16-3-0
Anthony Hernandez 11-2-0 vs. Roman Kopylov 12-2-0
Prelims ESPN, ESPN+
Amanda Lemos 13-3-1 vs/ Mackenzie Dern 13-4-0
Marcos Rogerio de Lima 21-10-1 vs. Justin Tafa 7-3-0
Rinya Nakamura 8-0-0 vs. Carlos Vera 11-3-0
Zhang Mingyang 16-6-0 vs. Brendson Ribeiro 15-5-0
Early Prelims ESPN+
Josh Quinlan 6-1-0 vs. Danny Barlow 7-0-0
Oban Elliott 9-2-0 vs. Val Woodburn 7-1-0
Andrea Lee 13-8-0 vs. Miranda Maverick 14-5-0

Saturday 02.17.2024 at 06:30 PM ET
U.S. Broadcast: Pay Per View | Prelims: ESPN
Promotion: Ultimate Fighting Championship
Ownership: Endeavor
Venue: Honda Center
Location: Anaheim, California, United States
Enclosure: Octagon
MMA Bouts: 12

Here's the best in the biz imo, Shillan & Duffy with their preview of 298.



Shillan and Duffy: UFC 298 Preview
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BEN DUFFY KEITH SHILLAN FEB 12, 2024 COMMENTS
Keith and Ben preview UFC 298, with background, analysis, detailed predictions and picks for all 12 fights. Off-topic conversations include...well, there are a lot of them because Ben didn't cut out as much as he usually does. Mark Coleman getting a face full of wrestling shoe at UFC 17, Michaelangelo's painting of the Sistine Chapel, MMA fans' inability to understand the word "consensus," the Philadelphia Zoo, and of course Bo Nickal, all get a mention.

Intro: Keith forgets a wrestler?
10:56 Andrea Lee (13-8) vs. Miranda Maverick (12-5)
21:42 Oban Elliott (9-2) vs. Valentine Woodburn (7-1)
35:46 Josh Quinlan (6-1, 1 NC) vs. Danny Barlow (7-0)
41:53 Minyang Zhang (16-6) vs. Brendson Ribeiro (15-5, 1 NC)
52:44 Rinya Nakamura (8-0) vs. Carlos Vera (11-3)
1:04:05 Marcos Rogerio de Lima (21-9-1) vs. Justin Tafa (7-3, 1 NC)
1:12:25 Amanda Lemos (13-3-1) vs. Mackenzie Dern (13-4)
1:21:48 Anthony Hernandez (11-2) vs. Roman Kopylov (12-2)
1:30:03 Merab Dvalishvili (16-4) vs. Henry Cejudo (16-3)
1:42:48 Geoff Neal (15-5) vs. Ian Garry (13-0)
2:00:26 Robert Whittaker (24-7) vs. Paulo Costa (14-2)
2:17:22 Alexander Volkanovski (26-3) vs. Ilia Topuria (14-0)
2:40:11 A quick rundown of all the picks

* Answer to trivia question. The Clydesdale horses.

 

[Davidjacksonjones]

Enjoy the fights guys

 

[PurpleStorm]

Enjoy the fights guys

You too bud. You gonna be watching? Any thoughts on some fights you're anticipating? The entire main card is lit and I'm gonna watch the entire event.

 

[Davidjacksonjones]

You too bud. You gonna be watching? Any thoughts on some fights you're anticipating? The entire main card is lit and I'm gonna watch the entire event.

I actually have work shift from 1pm on Sunday which is an hour before the main card starts. Hopefully I can trade shifts with someone else so I can watch it live. I am anticipating most of the main event. Rooting for Whittaker and Volk and Geoff and Merab. Will probably rewatch the main and co-main in full if i miss out on it live, and the rest i will probably catch the highlights or watch in full if its really good based on the pbp

 

[PurpleStorm]

I actually have work shift from 1pm on Sunday which is an hour before the main card starts. Hopefully I can trade shifts with someone else so I can watch it live. I am anticipating most of the main event. Rooting for Whittaker and Volk and Geoff and Merab. Will probably rewatch the main and co-main in full if i miss out on it live, and the rest i will probably catch the highlights or watch in full if its really good based on the pbp

Yeah I'm rooting for Volk, Whittaker, Neal, Merab, Dern. It's funny when people get super pissed. The other night in the PbP I mentioned I was picking the Chiefs and Mahomes as SB MVP. I wasn't rooting for a team as the Lions were my team this year. Considering the replies you'd have thought we were in the war room lol. Well I hope you're able to watch the fights at some point whether live or later. Sometimes it's fun watching later as you can jump to the fights you really want to see. Have a good week.

 

[Davidjacksonjones]

Yeah I'm rooting for Volk, Whittaker, Neal, Merab, Dern. It's kind funny when people get super pissed. The other night in the PbP I mentioned I was picking the Chiefs and Mahomes as SB MVP. I wasn't even rooting for a team as the Lions were my team this year. Considering the replies you'd have thought we were in the war room lol. Well I hope you're able to watch the fights at some point whether live or later. Sometimes it's fun watching later as you can jump to the fights you really want to see. Have a good week.

Yeah some people get really pissed easily when it comes to sports they are passionate about. I have been to the war room a few times, even took a glance at the Russia Ukraine related threads just to see what its like, it was a literal warzone lol. I missed out on the superbowl, not really an NFL fan living in Australia and it was in the early mornings for me too.

Thanks and have a great weel too, cheers to an awesome card that will hopefully deliver

 

[PurpleStorm]

Last week's poster they used crayons. This week's looks like someone wrote a cry for help in lipstick on a bathroom mirror.

 

[oski]

 

[Luthien]

Card of the year?! <LeeOne01> Maybe?

 

[HI SCOTT NEWMAN]

Very good card, looking forward to this one!!. I got Volk by unanimous decision and keeping the belt.

Lots of fights that interest me on this one, should be a good one!!!. See you all on playbyplay

 

[Kowboy On Sherdog]

Video: UFC 298 ‘Embedded’ Episode 1

In this episode of Embedded, Ian Garry, Robert Whittaker, Ilia Topuria, Merab Dvalishvili and Alexander Volkanovski prepare for their assignments at UFC 298 on Saturday

www.sherdog.com

 

[Danespina]

Great card. Most excited for Cejudo vs. Dvalishvili.

 

[Kryptt]

 

[Kowboy On Sherdog]

Video: UFC 298 ‘Embedded’ Episode 2

On Episode 2 of UFC 298 “Embedded,” Alexander Volkanovski puts the finishing touches on his pre-fight preparations for Saturday’s pay-per-view event.

www.sherdog.com

 

[AP_RESURRECTION]

This looks to be one of the maybe 3 cards a year where they actually care to stack it. Nice I'm excited. I can't really do the whole watered down card thing, I'm not that big of a fan anymore but definitely genuinely appreciate the fairly rare stacked card.

 

[Kowboy On Sherdog]

What separates a champion from a superstar? The general idea is that the foundation for a champion is laid in the gym. They earn their wings and credibility representing their gym in local tournaments, eventually soaring to new heights on grand stages like the Ultimate Fighting Championship. While reaching the pinnacle of the sport requires sweat equity, and one might argue the need for natural talent, not every great fighter becomes a star.




Ian Garry is a breed apart. He has all the makings of a champion and the infectious charisma of a potential future superstar. The Irishman has the gift of gab, the talent to back his boastful assertions, the zest of youth, and as every superstar does, a fair share of detractors eagerly anticipating his downfall.

But what led to Garry becoming this highly sought-after figure? “The Future” entered the UFC basking in the success of seven triumphs with no losses, already in possession of a welterweight title in Cage Warriors Fighting Championship, one of the world's top feeder organizations. He has carried that momentum forward in the UFC, amassing six victories with three finishes.


Garry was a primary headline grabber at UFC 296 despite never making it to his scheduled bout against Vicente Luque due to pneumonia. Before the fight, he faced persistent scrutiny, encompassing his wife's past work, verbal onslaughts from UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland, and a notable departure from Team Renegade.

In the face of those challenges, Garry relied on the pillar of support provided by his family, took on the scrutiny head-on, and stuck to what he does best: perfecting his skills as a martial artist. Going into his next fight, he must be going through a gamut of emotions, waiting with vehement desire at the chance of retribution to silence his doubters.

As he prepares to take on Geoff Neal at UFC 298 on Saturday, we take a look at five defining moments of his undefeated career.

5-Star Finishing Streak​

After a successful debut against James Sheehan at Cage Warriors 101, Garry embarked on a destructive spree in his next five bouts. It began with Matteo Ceglia in a catchweight bout contested at 177 lbs. at the Cage Warriors: Unplugged 2 card, where Garry secured a second-round TKO victory via a flying knee. He stood up to the challenge of Mateusz Figlak and George McManus in subsequent bouts, notching a technical submission via rear-naked choke and TKO against the respective opponents. With two more impressive finishes over Lawrence Jordan Tracey and Rostem Akman, Garry was already turning heads and knocking on the doors of the UFC.

First taste at Championship Gold​

Garry’s maiden championship conquest was against Jack Grant at Cage Warriors 125. The Irishman displayed crisp striking to batter Grant and inflict damage. When the fight hit the canvas, Garry stepped up to the plate and even attempted multiple submissions and passed the test of scrambles with flying colors. With this dominant victory and the Cage Warriors welterweight championship on his waist, he punched his ticket to the UFC.

A UFC Debut Worth Remembering​

Garry faced Jordan Williams at UFC 268 to mark his Octagon debut. His standup game and toughness were tested once again. Williams, recognizing that he was walking a tightrope in the UFC having lost his first two bouts in the promotion, approached the fight with a make-or-break mentality. He stood in the center of the Octagon with the Irish striker, countering Garry’s leg kicks and strikes with jabs and a powerful left hand. However, the offense failed to make a decisive impact as Garry continued to press forward and throw strikes of his own.

Towards the end of the first round, Garry had found his range, even managing to wobble the challenger with a counter-right punch that opened up when Williams overextended for a labored punch. Garry couldn’t have asked for a better debut than a first-round knockout.

The Next "Mystic Mac?"​

What made Conor McGregor the most popular star on the UFC roster was his ability to breathe life into a prediction, and the moniker of “Mystic Mac” followed suit. It can be argued that Garry has the same innate ability to weave his vision into existence.

Locking horns against Daniel Rodriguez on May. 13, 2023, Garry took the center of the octagon as soon as the bout commenced and kept landing on Rodriguez at will. Midway through the first round, “The Future” stunned his opponent with a thunderous right head kick and followed up with vicious ground-and-pound as the referee intervened to call an end to the fight at 2:57 of the first round.

As if that weren’t enough, a video of Garry calling the defining moment of the fight spot-on went viral on social media. He quickly became the subject of everyone’s interest and it’s safe to say several fighters on the roster fancied a crack at the Irishman.

A Polarizing Triumph​

Ian Garry painted Neil Magny as an abusive father ahead of their clash at UFC 292. For context, Magny, during the pre-fight media scrum, claimed that he plans on dispensing a father-like “ass whooping” on Garry. The Irishman seemingly made a mountain out of a molehill according to many and preserved the wrath for the impending clash.

Garry dealt crippling blows to Magny’s legs early on which compromised his opponent’s movement for the rest of the fight. Having pulled the rug from under, Garry followed up by attacking the breadbasket and his opponent’s dome. The methodical demolition led to a unanimous decision victory for Garry and his sixth straight in the UFC. The 26-year-old was exposed to a fusillade of verbal onslaught from fans, but despite that, held firm to his assessment of the pre-fight comments by Magny.

5 Defining Moments: Ian Garry

As he prepares to take on Geoff Neal at UFC 298 on Saturday, we take a look at five defining moments of the young Irishman's undefeated career.

www.sherdog.com

 

[Kowboy On Sherdog]

Merab Dvalishvili, the No. 2-ranked Ultimate Fighting Championship bantamweight contender, is finally receiving the limelight he deserves. Often overlooked during pivotal discussions regarding the seismic shift in the UFC bantamweight division, Dvalishvili, the Georgian menace, now has one foot in the door of title contention, and every fight has been a step up in competition.

“The Machine” is on a staggering nine-fight win streak with the ultimate objective of laying hands on divisional gold. Dvalishvili was contentto assume the supporting role when his longtime training partner and friend Aljamain Sterling reigned supreme over the bantamweight division. Now, the vanquished champion has given way to a potential future one, with Sterling moving up to the featherweight division to take on Calvin Kattar at UFC 300.



With this scenario in mind, Dvalishvili has a promising opportunity to hog the limelight in his next high-profile assignment. The Georgian is set to take on former two-division champion Henry Cejudo on Feb. 17, 2024, at UFC 298. With the groundwork laid for the meeting of rival forces, let's take a look at some of Dvalishvili's rivalries carved in stone with his relentless wrestling-heavy fighting style.

Raufeon Stots​

Stots was on an eight-fight win streak when he locked horns with the freshly minted Ring of Combat bantamweight champion, Merab Dvalishvili. The fight took place at the Ring of Combat 59 event on June 2, 2017. The actual fight would turn out to be Dvalishvili’s quickest assignment to date, dispatching Stots with a spinning backfist in a mere fifteen seconds of the first round. This is also the 33-year-old’s only first-round finish in his 20-fight professional career.

Brad Katona​

Dvalishvili took on Katona, who would go on to become the only two-time “The Ultimate Fighter” in his fourth fight under the UFC banner. Katona toted the same qualifications that Stots wielded in the fight, challenging Dvalishivili at UFC Fight Night 151 riding on an impressive eight-fight win streak.

The Georgian sealed his opponent’s fate with a shutout performance and handed Katona the first loss of his professional career. Dvalishvili stuck to his patent wrestling-heavy onslaught scoring a unanimous 30-27 victory on all three scorecards.

Marlon Moraes​

Dvalishvili endured a rough first round in a pivotal clash against Moraes at UFC 266. The top bout of the UFC 266 undercard proved to be a nail-biting encounter. Dvalishvili capitalized on a wild exchange to take Moraes to the ground, but the Brazilian didn’t stay down long. Once they were back in striking range, Moraes drilled his opponent with a pair of left hooks, the second one hurting and wobbling Dvalishvili. A furious assault by Moraes followed, and while Dvalishvili stumbled around the Octagon, he kept swinging and even got a takedown with 90 seconds to go.

In the second round, Dvalishvili drew upon his strongest suit and deployed his wrestling prowess on Moraes, flooring his adversary with relentless takedowns and landing vicious blows from the top position. The unanswered strikes from the top position forced referee Keith Peterson to intervene at the 4:25 mark, and Dvalishvili walked away with the only “Performance of the Night” bonus of his UFC journey.

Petr Yan​

This rivalry had bad blood, underscored by vicious intentions on both fighters’ part considering that the hostility had been brewing for some time. Dvalishvili’s rivalry with Yan was embedded in multiple roots and a fusillade of verbal attacks. Above all else, Dvalishvili craved the chance to prove his mettle against a former UFC champion. When the opportunity presented itself at UFC Fight Night 221, he triumphed in style.

Dvalishvili drowned Yan, shooting for two takedowns in the opening minute of the fight. He didn’t ease off on the pressure for an instant, mixing in hard punches and punishing kicks to Yan’s lead leg. It seemed like the Georgian was in overdrive mode, while Yan felt the weight of the gloves and seemingly bailed out on the sinking ship as the fight progressed.

The 33-year-old set the record for most takedowns attempted in a UFC bout with 49 attempts and came out on top with unanimous 50-45 scores.

Rivalries: Merab Dvalishvili

Merab Dvalishvili, the No. 2-ranked Ultimate Fighting Championship bantamweight contender, is finally receiving the limelight he deserves.

www.sherdog.com

 

[PurpleStorm]

What's you all's thoughts on the co-main? I'm rooting for Whittaker, I always do. Costa is a wild card to me - never quite know what you're gonna get.

 

[Davidjacksonjones]

What's you all's thoughts on the co-main? I'm rooting for Whittaker, I always do. Costa is a wild card to me - never quite know what you're gonna get.

Rooting for Whittaker too. I think Whittaker's recent loss to DDP ignited a fire in him and motivated him to train very hard to get redemption. I think he gets it done by TKO, or a very dominant decision

 

[Sasha]

I can't believe that it's this Saturday (well Sunday for me). Seems like 297 happened a few days ago, WTF happened last month ? Is anyone dead (or miraculously resurrected) ?
I think I forgot to set my alarm clock.

Anyway, good news : that means 299 is coming soon ; I just looked at the card again to be sure it wasn't a wet dream I had during my month-long nap. BSD/Poirier is just the icing on the cake for me, it's fucking unreal.

298 looks good too obviously, especially when you take into account the amount of insanely good fighters already booked for the next two cards.
Topuria is good, but I think that, unless Volk started to drastically decline with the knock-out, he might get schooled. And if I get proven wrong, if Topuria beats full camp FW Volk... well that would be a crazy accomplishment.

I just watched the odds by curiosity, Alex is fav everywhere, although only by a small margin. In the other fights, it seems that Costa, Cejudo, and Neal are all around +175-200 underdogs ; they're just betting odds, but I think it kinda illustrates the real potential for upsets, which, if they happen, would have interesting consequences (Cejudo beating Merab would be quite the statement. Merab looks like a nightmare to fight, but I like that matchmaking ; if Costa makes weight, actually fights, and win, then maybe he's not a lost cause, which would be cool, I guess. And obviously Garry losing would make people happy, even Santa, Jesus and Karl Marx, who have high standards afaik).