Alexander Volkanovski returned to the featherweight division on Saturday at UFC 298, looking to defend his 145lb title against the undefeated Ilia Topuria.
Volkanovski had twice moonlighted at lightweight, looking to earn a second world title and become the UFC’s next double-champ. Neither attempt had panned out, and a short-notice rematch with Islam Makhachev that had seen Volkanovski basically come off the couch to save the card ended in disaster. Or more accurately, a head kick KO.
Months removed, the Australian featherweight champ looked to remind everyone just why he was considered one of the best pound-for-pound fighters on the planet. As for Topuria, he looked to become the UFC‘s first Georgian champion after having started his run in the promotion a perfect 6-0.
In Saturday’s co-main event, middleweight contenders Robert Whittaker (himself a former champion) and Paulo Costa (a former title challenger) looked to book their ticket back to the top of the 185lb weight class currently reigned over by Dricus Du Plessis. While Israel Adesanya quite possibly had the next title shot (likely at UFC 300, in the yet-to-be announced main event), the winner of Whittaker-Costa could easily be next in line.
Following Saturday’s UFC 298, tune in for the post-fight press conference. A live stream is available in the embed above.
