UFC 298 LIVE: Volkanovski vs Topuria fight updates and results tonight
Re-live updates as Alexander Volkanovski defended his featherweight title against Ilia Topuria
Ilia Topuria dethroned featherweight great Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 on Saturday, knocking the Australian out cold in round two.
Volkanovski’s reign at 145lbs has been a storied one, and the 35-year-old was seeking a sixth straight successful title defence as he fought Topuria in Anaheim.
The champion started well, but Topuria’s knockout threat was a key narrative in the build-up to this main event, and the Georgian-Spaniard delivered on that threat.
Midway through the second round, Topuria, 27, landed a picture-perfect fight hook with Volkanovski against the cage, and the Australian collapsed to the canvas at once. With that, Volkanovski’s four-year title reign came to an end, as the unbeaten Topuria became the first UFC champion to represent Georgia or Spain.
Re-live updates and results from the UFC 298 main card and prelims, below.
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!
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!
UFC 298 LIVE: Rinya Nakamura vs Carlos Vera
Round three
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.
UFC 298 LIVE: Rinya Nakamura vs Carlos Vera
Round two
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.
UFC 298 LIVE: Rinya Nakamura vs Carlos Vera
Round one
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.
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.
UFC 298 LIVE: Zhang Mingyang vs Brendson Ribeiro
Round one
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)
UFC 298 LIVE: Volkanovski vs Topuria
Our round-by-round updates start now, as Zhang Mingyang faces Brendson Ribeiro at light-heavyweight!
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!
UFC 298 LIVE: Ilia Topuria has a question for you
And here’s a throwback interview, from when Indy Sport interviewed Topuria ahead of his win over Josh Emmett in June:
Ilia Topuria: UFC’s rising star has a question for you
Interview: The unbeaten featherweight looks to take another step towards the UFC title on Saturday, as he takes on Josh Emmett
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