
‘I’m literally done’: Dana White storms off podcast in first minute leaving host stunned
In the main event of UFC 298 tonight, Alexander Volkanovski will defend his featherweight title against Ilia Topuria.
Volkanovski has been dominant at 145lbs and is seeking his sixth successful title defence, having stopped Yair Rodriguez in July, but that victory was sandwiched between two defeats at lightweight. In February, the Australian was outpointed by 155lbs champion Islam Makhachev, who knocked out Volkanovski in their October rematch.
That brutal result, which came after Volkanovski stepped in on short notice, has some fans fearing for the 35-year-old as he fights a younger, powerful and well-rounded challenger tonight. The unbeaten Topuria, 27, has 12 finishes from 14 wins, and the Georgian – who fights out of Spain – enters UFC 298 on the back of a dominant decision against Josh Emmett in June.
In the co-main event, former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker faces ex-title challenger Paulo Costa. Whittaker is out to bounce back from July’s shock TKO loss to Dricus Du Plessis, who has since won the belt, while Costa last fought 18 months ago, outpointing former champion Luke Rockhold in a scrappy affair.
Follow live updates and results from the UFC 298 main card and prelims, below.
UFC 298 LIVE
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UFC 298 LIVE: Marcos Rogerio de Lima vs Junior Tafa
Good low kicks by De Lima. “Tafa” is the chant in the arena. De Lima is backing up Tafa and narrowly misses with a right cross.
Tafa misses with a hook and is caught clean by a left hook from De Lima! Tafa takes it well. More low kicks from De Lima, who is on the front foot here.
Oh!! A calf kick hurts Tafa, who winces and hobbles, and… De Lima shoots for a takedown? What? Such a strange decision.
Tafa is eventually able to get off the fence, but De Lima maintains pressure, attacking the body with a kick and now a flurry of heavy hooks!
Now De Lima gets a takedown against the fence. He’s into half-guard. Good strikes from above, and De Lima ends the round in control.
Alex Pattle18 February 2024 02:17
UFC 298 LIVE: Marcos Rogerio de Lima vs Junior Tafa
Now we move to the heavyweight division, where Marcos Rogerio de Lima faces Junior Tafa – stepping in for brother Justin Tafa!
Alex Pattle18 February 2024 02:09
UFC 298 LIVE: Rinya Nakamura vs Carlos Vera
Rinya Nakamura def. Carlos Vera via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).
Nakamura stays unbeaten, moving to 9-0!
Alex Pattle18 February 2024 02:02
UFC 298 LIVE: Rinya Nakamura vs Carlos Vera
Vera with a couple of high kicks early in this final round; his corner called for that, knowing he needs a finish in this frame.
He misses with a BIG spinning back kick attempt and slips, with Nakamura soon controlling him on the canvas.
Vera shrimps and tries for an armbar but can’t finish it, and so he switches to a leg lock. Again, though, he can’t finish the submission.
Alex Pattle18 February 2024 01:58
UFC 298 LIVE: Rinya Nakamura vs Carlos Vera
Vera quickly pulls guard, and the crowd is not happy about that!
Vera is doing a better job at restricting Nakamura than he did in round one.
But eventually Nakamura is able to pass guard and take the back, where he tries a rear naked choke! Vera is able to twist and escape the submission, but Nakamura still has his back.
Nakamura moves into mount, where he tries an arm triangle choke, but to no avail.
Alex Pattle18 February 2024 01:51
UFC 298 LIVE: Rinya Nakamura vs Carlos Vera
A frantic opening sequence sees both men scramble, with Vera trying a leg lock while Nakamura stands over him.
Nakamura scrambles well and takes the back, where he throws a good knee to the body. He stands and throws a few hard punches from above, and he’s getting through with ease!
Vera throws up an armbar, to no avail, before trying again for a leg lock after Nakamura escapes the first submission attempt.
Another escape for Nakamura, who again finds himself on top and raining down punches. Good up-kick from Vera, but he eats another punch. Nakamura slides into side control.
The grappling exchange sees Nakamura enter Vera’s closed guard, but the Japanese fighter decides to stand and launch some more ground and pound.
Alex Pattle18 February 2024 01:44
UFC 298 LIVE: Rinya Nakamura vs Carlos Vera
Next up, Rinya Nakamura vs Carlos Vera at bantamweight!
After a bit of a wait, the fighters are in the Octagon, and we’re just about ready to go.
Alex Pattle18 February 2024 01:29
UFC 298 LIVE: Zhang Mingyang vs Brendson Ribeiro
Both men stand orthodox. A clean right cross gets through for Ribeiro, echoing throughout the arena.
More crisp, straight punches for the Brazilian now. An overhand whizzes by Zhang’s head.
OH!!! Out of nowhere, Zhang floors Ribeiro with a right hook then a left!
The Chinese fighter seals a TKO with hammer fists! His 100 per cent finish record stays intact!
Wowwww, what a start to the regular prelims.
Zhang Mingyang def. Brendson Ribeiro via first-round KO (strikes, 1:41)
Alex Pattle18 February 2024 01:19
UFC 298 LIVE: Volkanovski vs Topuria
Our round-by-round updates start now, as Zhang Mingyang faces Brendson Ribeiro at light-heavyweight!
Alex Pattle18 February 2024 01:11
UFC 298 LIVE: Volkanovski vs Topuria
Okay, everyone, here are the early-prelim results from UFC 298!
Danny Barlow def. Josh Quinlan via third-round TKO (1:18)
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)
Wales’ Oban Elliott with a successful UFC debut after an early knockdown scare!
Alex Pattle18 February 2024 01:04