Combat Sports Stars Predict Volkanovski vs. Topuria: ”Career will be over after this fight”

The highly interesting UFC featherweight title bout between reigning champion Alexander Volkanovski and undefeated challenger Ilia Topuria is headlining Saturday’s UFC 298 in Anaheim.

There have been loads of tension between the two 145ers leading up to the fight, and fans and experts all around the world look forward to the exciting fight.

Click “Next” to check out how UFC fighters predict the title bout!

Ian Garry

Pick: Volkanovski

Welterweight prospect Ian Garry thinks it’s unfair that people judge the champion from his last short-notice bout against the dangerous lightweight champion Islam Makhachev.

”When I think of Volkanovski I think of someone who can outstrike Yair Rodriguez, someone who can outpace Max Holloway and someone who can outgrapple and find a way to win against Brian Ortega,” Garry says.

Paulo Costa

Pick: Volkanovski

Co-main event fighter Paulo Costa believes Alexander Volkanovski will get his hand raised.

”I think it’s like an old lion against a young lion. I’m still with the champ,” Costa says.

Robert Whittaker

Pick: Volkanovski

Former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker thinks it’s hard to bet against the champion.

”Volk is probably the best featherweight to ever do it,” Whittaker reasons. ”He’s sensational.”

Yair Rodriguez

Pick: Volkanovski

Former interim featherweight champion Yair Rodriguez is sure that Topuria will get his first loss on Saturday.

”His career will be over after this fight with Volkanovski. He’s been talking so much shit, saying so many things, and people are going to be fucking laughing at him after this,” Rodriguez says.

Mackenzie Dern

Pick: Volkanovski

Top ranked strawweight Mackenzie Dern tink savvy veteran Volkanovski is far too well-rounded for Topuria.

”I never seen Ilia’s ground game but I’ve seen Alex get out of (Brian) Ortega’s triangle and takedowns and all that stuff,” Dern says. ”I think he has a lot more weapons.”

Henry Cejudo

Pick: Topuria

Henry Cejudo, who fights on the same card, claims that Ilia Topuria will dominate on Saturday’s UFC 298, if he can protect leg kicks and bring in wrestling to the fight.

”I’m going for Ilia Topuria, but it’s hard to go against a guy who is very well-rounded,” Cejudo says.

Geoff Neal

Pick: Volkanovski

Geoff Neal, who’s fighting Ian Garry on the main card has the champ as the winner.

”I think it’s going to be a unanimous decision,” Neal says.

Cory Sandhagen

Pick: Volkanovski

Cory Sandhagen thinks Topuria will be a tough challenge for Volkanovski.

”I lean towards Volkanovski due to the experience,” Sandhagen says.

Anthony Pettis

Pick: Volkanovski

Former UFC champion Anthony Pettis got Volkanovski as the winner on Saturday.

”It’s hard to pick against Volk,” Pettis says.

Dan Hooker

Pick: Volkanovski

UFC lightweight Dan ”The Hangman” Hooker thinks Volk is too well-rounded for Topuria.

”I just feel like Alex got too many tools,” Hooker says. ”You need those tools. Alex utilizes all his tools.”

Randy Brown

Pick: Topuria

UFC welterweight Randy Brown thinks the featherweight throne will have a new king come Saturday.

”I’m not saying this because he (Volkanovski) lost his last fight, but Topuria,” Brown says.

Neil Magny

Pick: Volkanovski

Welterweight veteran Neil Magny has Volkanovski coming out as the winner with a full fight camp.

”Got to go with Volkanovski,” Magny says.

Alex Perez

Pick: Volkanovski

Top ranked UFC flyweight Alex Perez thinks the reigning champion will get his hand raised in California.

”He’s very technical, he’s good everywhere. I got Volkanovski,” Perez claims.

Brian Kelleher

Pick: Volkanovski

Bantamweight veteran Brian Kelleher claims that Alexander Volkanovski is still king of the featherweights.

”At 145 the guy looks nearly unstoppable,” Kelleher says.

Chase Hooper

Pick: Topuria

Chase Hooper thinks Volkanovski returns too fast after his knockout loss to Islam Makhachev in October.

”Your jaw doesn’t heal that quickly,” Hooper says. ”I think Topuria definitely can catch him.”

Grant Dawson

Pick: Volkanovski

Lightweight Grant Dawson hopes to see new blood on the featherweight throne, but still thinks the champ defends his title.

”I’m a huge Topuria fan, and I hope Topuria wins,” Dawson says.

This is Alexander Volkanovski

• Age: 35
• Record: 26-3
• UFC record: 13-2
• Weight: 145 lb (66 kg)
• Height: 5 ft 6 in (168 cm)
• Reach: 71 1⁄2 in (182 cm)
• Post-fight bonuses: 4

This is Ilia Topuria

• Age: 27
• Record: 14-0
• UFC record: 6-0
• Weight: 145 lb (66 kg)
• Height: 5 ft 8 in (173 cm)
• Reach: 69 in (175 cm)
• Post-fight bonuses: 3

UFC 298 fight card

Main card

• Featherweight title bout: Alexander Volkanovski (c) vs. Ilia Topuria
• Middleweight bout: Robert Whittaker vs. Paulo Costa
• Welterweight bout: Geoff Neal vs. Ian Machado Garry
• Bantamweight bout: Merab Dvalishvili vs. Henry Cejudo
• Middleweight bout: Anthony Hernandez vs. Roman Kopylov

Preliminary card

• Women’s strawweight bout: Amanda Lemos vs. Mackenzie Dern
• Heavyweight bout: Marcos Rogério de Lima vs. Justin Tafa
• Bantamweight bout: Rinya Nakamura vs. Carlos Vera
• Light Heavyweight bout: Zhang Mingyang vs. Brendson Ribeiro

Early preliminary card

• Welterweight bout: Josh Quinlan vs. Danny Barlow
• Welterweight bout: Oban Elliott vs. Val Woodburn
• Women’s flyweight bout: Andrea Lee vs. Miranda Maverick

*Fight card is a subject of change.

Read more: Coach ‘too scared’ to watch Alexander Volkanovski fight: “Don’t have much of a chance”

---

Follow Frontkick Instagram for more UFC news!