UFC 298 is set to take place this Sunday the 18th of February (main bout scheduled for 06h20 in South Africa) at the Honda Centre in California. The main event features a bout between Volkanovski and Topuria and we will look at this as well as 2 other fights on the card from a betting angle.
Click here for all betting on the full fight card.
ALEXANDER VOLKANOVSKI vs. ILIA TOPURIA
Featherweight Main Event:
Alexander Volkanovski is an Australian fighter who is a well-known striker, he made his UFC debut in 2016 and since then he has won 13 of his 15 fights, with his 8 most recent fights being title fights and his only losses coming recently in title fights against Islam Makhachev. His most recent fight was in October last year where he lost by TKO in round 1, forfeiting the division belt to Makhachev at UFC 294.
He will enter the fight as the slight favourite this weekend and he will be expected to get the job done.
Ilia Topuria is a Georgian fighter who is known for his grappling and clean striking, he made his debut in the UFC in 2020 and he has won all 6 of his professional fights since then. His most recent fight was against Josh Emmett in June last year where he won the fight by unanimous decision.
Although he is less experienced, he has flawlessly climbed his way up the ranks and will be looking to prove the betting odds wrong on this occasion.
BETTING – click here to bet
Volkanovski 8/10
Topuria 19/20
PREDICTION:
I believe that both fighters have enough in the tank to go the distance and Volkanovski will win by decision.
Double your Payout on 1st Round finishes
Place a multiple of 3 or more legs on UFC 298 and if all your selections win in the 1st round, we will double your payout in Free Bet vouchers!
*Pre-Match events only. T’s & C’s apply. Refund/Payout limited to R2000.
Free Bets do not qualify for this offer. Limited to 1 refund per customer per event.
Promotion must be claimed within 24 hours of the fights finishing.
Simply email promotions@wsb.co.za with Subject ‘UFC 298’
ROBERT WHITTAKER vs. PAULO COSTA
Middleweight Co-main Event:
Robert Whittaker is an American fighter who possesses great stamina and clean striking. He has ample experience in the UFC, and he has performed well since entering in 2012. His most recent fight was against Dricus Du Plessis in June last year, where he lost by TKO in round 2 at UFC 290.
He will enter the fight as the favourite in the betting markets and will look to bounce back from his recent loss and get back in winning form again.
Paulo Costa in a Brazlian striker who is known for his heavy hits and stamina, he has had a long break from fighting with his last fight taking place in August 2022 where he went head-to-head with Luke Rockhold, winning the fight by unanimous decision at UFC 278.
Due to him pulling out of his subsequent planned fights and the long break between fights, he is expected to be slightly rusty and struggle a bit in this fight.
BETTING – click here to bet
Whittaker 4/10
Costa 21/10
PREDICTION:
I think that Whittaker will bounce back strong after his loss to Du Plessis with a round 2 TKO win.
GEOFF NEAL vs. IAN GARRY
Welterweight Fight:
Geoff Neal is an American fighter who is an effective striker and grappler, he has been on consistent form, winning 2 and losing 2 of his 4 most recent fights. His most recent bout was against Shavkat Rakhmonov where he lost by submission in late round 3.
He will enter the octagon with the betting odds stacked against him this weekend and he will be looking for an upset win.
Ian Garry is an Irish mixed martial artist who has a perfect record n the UFC so far winning all 6 of his fights since he made his debut in 2021. His most recent fight was against Neil Magny in August last year at UFC 292, where he won by unanimous decision.
Due to his recent form, he has been installed as the betting favourite and I cannot see him losing this fight.
BETTING – click here to bet
Neal 15/8
Garry 4/9
PREDICTION:
I believe that Garry will enter as the strong favourite for good reason and that he will win the fight by TKO in round 2.
SUGGESTED BETS:
Volkanovski vs Topuria
Volkanovski by decision at 5/2
Whittaker vs Costa
Whittaker by KO at 28/10 (bigger price alternative bet, Whittaker to win in round 2 at 7/1)
Neal vs Garry
Garry to win in round 2 at 13/2 (shorter price alternative bet, Garry to win by KO at 28/10)
All prices correct at time of writing but subject to change.
