UFC Fight Night: Volkanovski vs. Topuria - Odds, Predictions & Picks

• FW GOAT Volkanovski defends against undefeated challenger Ilia Topuria

• Former champ Whittaker takes on former title challenger Cost in MW co-main event

• Henry Cejudo competes in his second fight since coming out of retirement

UFC 298: Volkanovski vs. Topuria

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UFC 298: Volkanovski vs. Topuria- Picks & Predictions

(C) Alexander Volkanovski vs Ilia Topuria - Featherweight championship

• Our pick: Alexander Volkanovski (-130)

Robert Whittaker vs Paulo Costa - Middleweight division

• Our pick: Robert Whittaker (-225)

Geoff Neal vs Ian Machado Garry - Welterweight division

• Our pick: Ian Machado Garry (-218)

Merab Dvalishvili vs Henry Cejudo - Bantamweight division

• Our pick: Merab Dvalishvili (-205)

Anthony Hernandez vs Roman Kopylov - Middleweight division

• Our pick: Roman Kopylov (+180)

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Alexander Volkaovski vs. Ilia Topuria - Featherweight Championship

Hands down one of the greatest fighters in UFC history, featherweight champion and number-three ranked pound-for-pound men’s fighter Alexander Volkanovski looks to humble the fast-rising, undefeated ilia Topuria in this Saturday’s main event. 

Volkanovski is coming off of a loss at lightweight, where he challenged Islam Makhachev for double champ status but came up short. To date, Islam Makhachev is the only man in the UFC to hold wins over Volkanovski, who is still undefeated at featherweight.

He takes on the number-three ranked Ilia Topuria, who earned his title shot with his unanimous decision win over Josh Emmett last June. Prior to that win, he also became the first man to defeat Bryce Mitchell and also knocked out grappling superstar Ryan Hall.

This will only be Topuria’s seventh UFC bout.

Despite an edge in height for Topuria, the champion will actually have the reach advantage on top of the experience advantage. Despite Topuria’s skills, it’s no surprise that he is considered a +110 underdog compared to the -130 Volkanovski. 

However, these odds are closer than anticipated and it’s clear that Topuria is definitely being considered as a serious threat to Volkanovski’s title by MMA pundits.

To find out how to place your bets for this featherweight title main event, check out our ultimate UFC betting guide to get started.

Robert Whittaker vs. Paulo Costa - Middleweight Division

A striking fan’s dream, former champion Robert Whittaker takes on the fan-friendly fighter (meaning he hunts for the knockout every time!) and former title challenger Paulo Costa in Saturday night’s main event. On paper, this one has all of the makings of a fight-of-the-year candidate. 

Whittaker is just 2-2 in his last four but has never dipped below number 3 in the middleweight rankings since losing his title. He is looking to bounce back from his TKO loss to Dricus du Plessis, which led the latter to earning a title shot and eventually becoming the middleweight champion.

Costa,. Ranked at number-6, hasn’t fought since 2022 due to injuries, but his 2022 win over Luke Rockhold snapped a two-fight skid and got the Brazilian back in the win column.

These two men stand at equal height but the former champion will have a 1.5-inch reach advantage. This, mixed with his experience, makes it no surprise that Whittaker is listed as the -225 favorite - which actually makes him the biggest betting favorite on the main card.

Geoff Neal vs. Ian Machado Garry - Welterweight Division

Originally slated to face each other at UFC 292 last August, this fight between Geoff Neal and Ian Garry is now finally set to take place and the bad blood between the two men has just had more time to simmer. 

Garry, the second undefeated fighter on this main card, will also be the tallest. He has won all six of his UFC bouts thus far, including his most recent decision win over Neil Magny - who stepped in to replace Neal at UFC 292.

Neal last fought in March 2023 where he was submitted by undefeated Shavkat Rakhmonov. Despite the fight being awarded a fight of the night bonus, it should be noted that Neal missed weight by five pounds.

Garry, the undefeated, -218 favorite, will stand four inches taller but the reach between these two men will be almost equal. 

Merab Dvalishvili vs. Henry Cejudo - Bantamweight Division

Two of the best wrestlers in the bantamweight division (and arguably in UFC history) will go toe-to-toe this Saturday when former double champ and Olympic gold medalist  “Triple C” Henry Cejudo takes on the training partner of former BW champ Aljamain Sterling: Merab Dvalishvili.

Not only a grappling fan’s dream fight, these two men also possess knockout power.

This will be Cejudo’s second fight since returning from retirement. He immediately challenged for the BW title upon return but lost via split decision to Aljamain Sterling.  Prior to retiring, he held both the bantamweight and flyweight titles and had won six fights in a row. 

Dvalishvili, who is also a black belt in judo, is currently on a nine-fight winning streak and most recently dominated former bantamweight champion Petr Yan last March. He also holds notable wins over Jose Aldo and Marlon Moraes.

Dvalishvili has the edge in height, weight, and activity, and is the -205 betting favorite to come out of this fight with the victory.

Anthony Hernandez vs. Roman Kopylov - Middleweight Division

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt Anthony Hernandez takes on the southpaw Roman Kopylov in the kick-off fight of UFC 298.

Hernandez is riding a four-fight win streak, having most recently defeated Edmen Shahbazyan via third-round TKO. Three of his last four wins have ended without needing the judges’ scorecards.

Kopylov has also won his last four in a row - all by knockout or TKO. His most recent win occurred last September when he knocked out Josh Fremd with a nasty shot to the body. 

On top of their equal winning streaks, these two men stand at equal height and will have an equal reach. However, the oddsmakers list Hernandez as the -218 favorite.

How to Watch UFC 298: Volkanovski vs. Topuria

• LOCATION: Honda Center, Anaheim, California

• WHEN: Saturday, February 17

• TIME: 10 PM EST

• HOW: PPB, UFC Fight Pass, ESPN+