UFC 298 Predictions: Topuria vs. Volkanovski Title Fight, Whittaker vs. Costa

The time has arrived for UFC 298 predictions!

Another UFC pay-per-view takes place on Saturday night, which means it's time for our predictions.

UFC 298 goes down inside the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. Headlining the card will be a featherweight title fight between champion Alexander Volkanovski and Ilia Topuria. The co-main event will feature a pivotal clash in the middleweight division as former 185-pound king Robert Whittaker goes one-on-one with Paulo Costa.

We'll also get to see Ian Machado Garry take on Geoff Neal. Former two-division UFC champion Henry Cejudo has vowed to retire from pro MMA competition if he can't defeat Merab Dvalishvili. The UFC 298 main card will begin with a middleweight collision between Anthony Hernandez and Roman Kopylov.

The MMA Knockout staff is ready with main card picks, so let's not waste time.

UFC 298: Topuria vs Volkanovski Fight Card, Date, Time, Location, Tickets

Alexander Volkanovski (c) vs. Ilia Topuria - for the UFC Featherweight Championship

(via Zuffa LLC)

Fernando Quiles Jr: I'm not buying this narrative that Volkanovski is cooked because he was knocked out by an elite lightweight in a rematch he had no business accepting on short notice. From a technical standpoint, Volk has his hands full against Topuria. With that said, I think the difference-maker in this fight will be Volk's kicks, angles, and championship experience. Topuria will want to outbox Volkanovski, but I think "The Great" makes it difficult for him by attacking that lead leg, diminishing the punching power. (Pick: Volkanovski)

Mathew Riddle: I believe as good as Volk is, the stats don't lie. Fighters his age don't win title fights and the stars are aligning for Topuria to win. With Volk's admitted alcoholism prior to the devastating KO he suffered last year, I can see Topuria pulling ahead. (Pick: Topuria)

Drew Beaupré: All of the buildup to this fight makes it feel like a perfect “passing of the torch” moment, and Topuria truly does seem like he’s poised to break through as a massive star. I’m very concerned by how quickly Volkanovski is coming back from a brutal knockout loss, but I can’t pick against a champion that’s been so incredibly dominant for as long as he has. (Pick: "Old Man" Volkanovski)

Zain Bando: Plain and straightforward, Alexander Volkanovski is the featherweight GOAT. Ilia Topuria has yet to fight anyone with similar experience, minus arguably Josh Emmett. Topuria's weaknesses will be exposed, and he'll lose via a late fourth-round stoppage or by decision. (Pick: Volkanovski)

Christopher De Santiago: Once again, Alexander Volkanovski will look to remind everyone why he’s the best featherweight in the world and unbeaten in the weight class. Topuria, undefeated himself, has shown great performances against Josh Emmett and Bryce Mitchell. While they are close to the top, they are not on the same level as the champ. Volkanovski proved how elite he was by dominating interim champ Rodriguez in his last title defense. Sure, Topuria is a heck of a lot more well-rounded than the Mexican, but I doubt he is compared to Volkanovski. I predict Volkanovski will mix it up better, utilizing leg kicks and well-timed takedowns to grind out a decision victory. I think experience will play a key factor that works against the 27 year-old challenger. (Pick: Volkanovski)

Consensus: 4-1, Alexander Volkanovski

Robert Whittaker vs. Paulo Costa

(via UFC)

Fernando Quiles Jr: Costa is always game when he fights, but unless he can catch Whittaker early, I don't see things going his way. "Borrachinha" has shown that he gasses down the stretch, and that is disastrous against someone like "The Reaper." I see Whittaker finishing this one in the second round. (Pick: Whittaker)

Mathew Riddle: I think Costa is severely underrated in many aspects. His last victory was a hard-fought decision at elevation against Luke Rockhold and he looked great! Meanwhile, I expected Whittaker to run through Dricus and was sorely disappointed. If Whittaker's time at the top is over, I don't know, but I'll be pulling for Costa this weekend. (Pick: Costa)

Drew Beaupré: This fight was scheduled to take place a few years ago, but now it seems to make a lot more sense from a matchmaking perspective based on where both fighters are at in their careers. Quite a few fans are understandably still skeptical about the chances of Costa actually stepping into the cage, and I think the Brazilian’s recent inactivity will give Whittaker the chance to rebound from that loss to Dricus Du Plessis. (Pick: Whittaker)

Zain Bando: Robert Whittaker is better everywhere the fight goes. Paulo Costa is too inactive, wine-drunk, or' X 'heavy for me to believe he is taking this fight seriously. Whittaker is still in the middleweight title mix with a win, which he desperately needs to get another crack at Dricus du Plessis. (Pick: Whittaker)

Christopher De Santiago: I’m expecting this to be the fight of the night and I also think it plays out similarly to Whittaker’s first fight vs. a dangerous tank like Yoel Romero. Whittaker has more tricks up his sleeve than Costa does and with a chip on his shoulder from his last loss to Dricus Du Plessis, I think we see a much hungrier Whittaker than we’ve seen in recent years. The middleweight title has changed hands once again and the motivation couldn’t be greater for Whittaker to get back his title. I see Whittaker outlasting the durable Costa by decision. (Pick: Whittaker)

Consensus: 4-1, Robert Whittaker

Ian Machado Garry vs. Geoff Neal

(via Zuffa LLC)

Fernando Quiles Jr: Neal often lives up to his "Handz of Steel" nickname, but I don't see him catching Garry. "The Future" has superb striking technique, and he's able to move out of the way of danger effectively. I see Garry's movement being a major issue for Neal throughout the fight. (Pick: Machado Garry)

Mathew Riddle: Neal is as underestimated as ever, he's got dynamite hands and knows how to box. I expect Garry to fight on the outside, but I also expect Neal to make it ugly and work some dirty boxing to his advantage. I go with Neal for the upset. (Pick: Neal)

Drew Beaupré: It’s a bit of a surprise how under-the-radar this fight feels after all of the drama and bad blood ahead of their originally scheduled matchup last year. Machado Garry has plenty of attention on him for all the wrong reasons after UFC 296 fight week, but against Neal he has a chance to remind fans that he’s still one of the most promising young fighters on the roster. (Pick: Machado Garry)

Zain Bando: Geoff Neal may be one of the UFC's most underrated talents. He doesn't talk much trash, hardly at all, nor is he the flashiest. But he wins, and Ian Garry has yet to taste defeat. It'll be a bad night for the Irishman if Neal outwrestles him. (Pick: Neal)

Christopher De Santiago: Don’t let all the noise fool you, Ian Garry’s skills are elite. His striking is phenomenal and while Neal is good in his own right, I feel Garry will pick him apart on the feet. Neal has proven himself to be a hard man to put away, so a KO by Garry would be very impressive. (Pick: Machado Garry)

Consensus: 3-2, Ian Machado Garry

Henry Cejudo vs. Merab Dvalishvili

(via UFC)

Fernando Quiles Jr: Merab is in a great position here. Who better to train with than the man who bested Cejudo, albeit narrowly, last year? There should be some fun grappling exchanges in this one, but I think Merab is going to outwork the older Cejudo on his way to a decision victory. (Pick: Dvalishvili)

Mathew Riddle: Another victim of the age curse is Cejudo. He was severely lacking in his fight with Sterling and showed no urgency, so I expect him to push the pace knowing this is his last run at UFC gold. However, pace is Dvalishvili's game and he showed that he was a world beater when he dominated Petr Yan last year. I pick Merab to handily defeat Cejudo. (Pick: Dvalishvili)

Drew Beaupré: I’d argue that this fight deserves co-main event status over Whittaker vs. Costa, but either way it’s a fantastic matchup to have on this stacked main card. Dvalishvili has already done enough to earn a bantamweight title shot, and I expect him to outwork Cejudo in a fight that should hopefully provide some interesting grappling exchanges. (Pick: Dvalishvili)

Zain Bando: A former double champion coming out of retirement? That's weird. But, in all seriousness, Henry Cejudo's calm and relaxed attitude should pay dividends, given that everything is on the line for Merab Dvalishvili. It's a win and likely a shot at bantamweight gold. A loss and it's an uphill battle. Expect Cejudo, if he does win, for it to be a late finish or close decision. (Pick: Cejudo)

Christopher De Santiago: It’s go big or go home for Henry Cejudo. Retirement weighs on the mind of the former champ entering this fight and that might not be the best idea when you’re going against a ‘Machine’ like Merab Dvalishvili. He doesn’t let his foot off the gas pedal and he’ll stick on his opponents like glue, whether it’s three rounds or the five-round main event where he excelled against Petr Yan in his last fight. I think he’ll keep his momentum going against Cejudo, whose wrestling was only matched by Dvalishvili’s teammate, Aljamain Sterling. Dvalishvili himself has said Cejudo’s a better wrestler but I wouldn’t be surprised if he is able to control Cejudo in the clinch or even score a takedown or two. Regardless, I believe Dvalishvili should wear down Cejudo over the distance. (Pick: Dvalishvili)

Consensus: 4-1, Merab Dvalishvili

Anthony Hernandez vs. Roman Kopylov

(via Zuffa LLC)

Fernando Quiles Jr: Kopylov has some impressive standup, but he's in for a much tougher challenge this go-around in Hernandez. When the fight goes to the mat, Hernandez's opponents are often in trouble. Also, few can deny that Hernandez has faced stiffer competition. While Kopylov is certainly a live underdog, I think Hernandez submits him. (Pick: Hernandez)

Mathew Riddle: I'm high on Kopylov, but he hasn't faced competition as stiff as Hernandez. We've also yet to see how well Kopylov has rounded off his ground game. "Fluffy" has solid submissions and a relentless pace. I'd like Kopylov to win since he's exciting, but Hernandez is just the right pick here. (Pick: Hernandez)

Drew Beaupré: It’s a shame that Ikram Aliskerov had to withdraw from this matchup, but Kopylov is a fantastic replacement and should provide a big test for Hernandez on the feet. Both men enter the night on four-fight winning streaks, and although Kopylov will be hunting for yet another knockout I’ll pick “Fluffy” to get things done with his grappling. (Pick: Hernandez)

Zain Bando: It's the biggest test of Roman Kopylov's career, and as long as he can avoid the potent wrestling base of Anthony Hernandez, he should have no trouble securing a huge win. And, if he can, it sets up a huge second half of 2024 for his contendership status. Give me Kopylov by decision. (Pick: Kopylov)

Christopher De Santiago: Two four-fight win streaks are on the line in this matchup, with all of those except for one coming by way of stoppage. That being said, I don’t think this fight reaches the distance like the other fights on the main card. The fight itself in my eyes is a coin-flip, Hernandez by submission or Kopylov by TKO in my opinion. I’ll lean towards Hernandez getting the fight to the ground and finishing it there. (Pick: Hernandez)

Consensus: 4-1, Anthony Hernandez

MMA Knockout Staff 2024 Records

• Fernando Quiles Jr: 3-2
• Mathew Riddle: 1-4
• Drew Beaupré: 3-2
• Zain Bando: 3-2
• Christopher De Santiago: 0-0

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