author
Hugo Marco Janssen PardoLive reporter

End of the Live coverage

So far, we hope you enjoyed the broadcast and all the information here on VAVEL.COM.

February 18, 2024 1:03 AM ET
author
Hugo Marco Janssen PardoLive reporter

TOPURIA KNOCKSOUT VOLKANOVSKI, NEW CHAMPION

Tremendous right straight to the chin of Topuria, was looking for it all the round and gets it. Unbelievable, how calm Ilia is. Volkanovski should have waited longer to return to the octagon.

February 18, 2024 12:59 AM ET
author
Hugo Marco Janssen PardoLive reporter

First round

A game of chess. Topuria has come out to measure Volkanovski and vice versa. Good low kicks from both fighters. Volkanovski takes it by volume of punches.

February 18, 2024 12:52 AM ET
author
Hugo Marco Janssen PardoLive reporter

Topuria vs Volkanovski

Bout for the featherweight belt (up to 65.7 kg): Alexander Volkanovski (65.5 kg) vs. Ilia Topuria (65.5 kg). The main event, the possible fight of the year, nothing more to say.

February 18, 2024 12:36 AM ET
author
Hugo Marco Janssen PardoLive reporter

Whittaker gets the win

Whittaker has had an answer for everything Costa has proposed. Faster, more agile and more accurate in all the exchanges.

The judges got it, 30-27 and 29-28 x2 for Whittaker.

February 18, 2024 12:26 AM ET
author
Hugo Marco Janssen PardoLive reporter

Second round

Good strategy now from Whittaker looking to kick down to create opportunities upstairs. Much more solid now the Australian. Costa tries to connect with a 1-2 but fails to make good contact. Costa's kicks to Whittaker's face are lethal. Whittaker, more alert and plugged in, takes this round. 

February 18, 2024 12:18 AM ET
author
Hugo Marco Janssen PardoLive reporter

First round

Very tentative start from both, good exchanges at the end of the round with Whittaker feeling slightly superior. Costa almost ended the fight with 8 seconds left but not enough.

February 18, 2024 12:12 AM ET
author
Hugo Marco Janssen PardoLive reporter

Paulo Costa vs Robert Witthaker

Middleweight fight (up to 83,9 Kg): Robert Whittaker (84,1 Kg) vs Paulo Borrachinha (84,1 Kg). Both come from losing their last fight and are looking for a rematch against Adesanya.

February 18, 2024 12:09 AM ET
author
Hugo Marco Janssen PardoLive reporter

Final round and the winner is Ian Garry

Like the vast majority of the event, this fight has been soporific, isolating certain exchanges of 3 punches at most, the rest have been feints and control leaning on the cage. No one wins anything from this fight.

Judges see it 30-27 Garry, 29-28 Neal and 30-27 Garry. Ian Garry wins by split decision.

February 18, 2024 11:52 PM ET
author
Hugo Marco Janssen PardoLive reporter

Second round

Round identical to the first with less action. Big kick to the stomach from Garry to Neal but that's as far as it goes. Neal looks to wear Garry up against the cage in the clinch.

February 18, 2024 11:43 PM ET
author
Hugo Marco Janssen PardoLive reporter

First round

Extremely evenly matched round. You can't say for sure that one has been superior to the other. Both Neal and Garry have come out with the plan of circling and attacking at the right time, measured aggression.

February 18, 2024 11:37 PM ET
author
Hugo Marco Janssen PardoLive reporter

Geoff Neal vs Ian Garry

Middleweight fight (up to 77.1 kg): Geoff Neal (77.3 kg) vs Ian Machado Garry (77.3 kg). Very complete fighters, a fight that has been delayed for a couple of months due to an injury to Ian Garry. Will Neal be able to take away his undefeated record?

February 18, 2024 11:22 PM ET
author
Hugo Marco Janssen PardoLive reporter

Merab emabarasses Cejudo

The Georgian dominated in every facet of the fight, putting on a show for Facebook creator and MMA lover Mark Zuckerberg. Takedowns, mixed strikes, perfect defense. Clear bonus candidate.

Judge's scorecard, 29-28x3, unanimous decision for Merab Dvalishvili.

February 18, 2024 11:12 PM ET
author
Hugo Marco Janssen PardoLive reporter

Second round

Merab takes the round convincingly. Reverse roles of the first round, Merab with a great pace, better and effective combinations. Cejudo has gone a little unprotected to the exchange of blows.

February 18, 2024 11:06 PM ET
author
Hugo Marco Janssen PardoLive reporter

First Round

First round for Henry Cejudo. The former champion connected early with a left hook and has been the more active fighter on the ground. Good role for Merab so far, but not enough.

February 17, 2024 10:58 PM ET
author
Hugo Marco Janssen PardoLive reporter

Merab Dvalishvili vs Henry Cejudo

Bantamweight fight (up to 61.2 kg): Merab Dvalishvili (61.2 kg) vs Henry Cejudo (61.2 kg). The winner will face the winner of UFC 299 for the bantamweight championship. Both dominate the ground game really well.

February 17, 2024 10:39 PM ET
author
Hugo Marco Janssen PardoLive reporter

HERNÁNDEZ SUBMITS KOPYLOV IN THE SECOND

A great performance by Hernandez, putting pressure on Kopylov at all times and ending it early with a submission to the neck.

February 17, 2024 10:32 PM ET
author
Hugo Marco Janssen PardoLive reporter

First round

Very even round, both Hernández and Kopylov were successful in exchanging punches, the clearest ones were from Kopylov but Hernández's pressure and takedown give him the round.

February 17, 2024 10:24 PM ET
author
Hugo Marco Janssen PardoLive reporter

Anthony Hernández vs Roman Kopylov

Middleweight bout (up to 83.9 kg): Anthony Hernández (84.1 kg) vs. Roman Kopylov (83.9 kg). Great finishers, both will have the task to open the main card of UFC 298.

February 17, 2024 10:16 PM ET
author
Hugo Marco Janssen PardoLive reporter

End of the fight,

Great start in the third of Dern, his Jiu-Jitsu level provoked by a huge right hand 20 seconds into the round was the determining factor to take the round. A couple of submission attempts but Lemos defended very well.

The judges scorecard, 29-28 x3 unanimous decision for Amanda Lemos, the first two were key.

February 17, 2024 10:02 PM ET
author
Hugo Marco Janssen PardoLive reporter

Second round

IMPRESSIVE ROUND. It deserves all the capital letters in the world, Lemos starts with a series of combinations that knocks Dern down, but he recovers and manages to finish on top of Lemos. Round for Lemos for the early dominance.

February 17, 2024 9:55 PM ET
author
Hugo Marco Janssen PardoLive reporter

First round

Very split this round, Lemos started out dominating on the feet, good kicks to the stomach and punch combinations, but Dern recovered, got the takedown and dominated from then on.

February 17, 2024 9:47 PM ET
author
Hugo Marco Janssen PardoLive reporter

Amanda Lemos vs Mckenzie Dern

Women's bout in the strawweight division (up to 52.1 kg): Amanda Lemos (52.3 kg) vs. Mackenzie Dern (52.6 kg). Both have a lot of UFC experience and are familiar names to the public, they could have fought on the main card without a doubt.

February 17, 2024 9:35 PM ET
author
Hugo Marco Janssen PardoLive reporter

DE LIMA ENDS IT WITH A VICIOUS LEG KICK

Victory by TKO of Marco Rogerio de Lima, the punishment with kicks to the thigh and calf area were too much for Tafa, the referee stopped the fight shortly after the start of the second.

February 17, 2024 9:26 PM ET
author
Hugo Marco Janssen PardoLive reporter

First Round

De Lima may end this fight very soon. He has connected with multiple leg kicks to the leg of Tafa who is limping back to the corner.

February 17, 2024 9:21 PM ET
author
Hugo Marco Janssen PardoLive reporter

Marco Rogério "Pezao" vs Junior Tafa

Heavyweight fight (up to 120.1 Kg): Marcos Rogério "Pezão" (118.6 Kg) vs Junior Tafa (112.9 Kg). The previous fight was not very showy, but this one promises to be a spectacle. Let's remember that Junior replaces his brother Justin after his injury yesterday.

February 17, 2024 9:09 PM ET
author
Hugo Marco Janssen PardoLive reporter

End of the fight, Nakamura is the winner

15 consecutive minutes of dominance by Nakamura, an incredibly calm performance in which he did not give rise to a possible surprise of vera.

30-27x3, all judges see the fight as a unanimous decision in favor of Nakamura.

February 17, 2024 9:06 PM ET
author
Hugo Marco Janssen PardoLive reporter

Second round

Total domination by Nakamura, Vera seems powerless against the assault on the canvas of the Japanese. Another round for Nakamura, Vera needs a finish.

February 17, 2024 8:54 PM ET
author
Hugo Marco Janssen PardoLive reporter

First round

Hard fought round, Nakamura had more control on the canvas but Vera attempted several submissions. Difficult to score but Nakamura takes it.

February 17, 2024 8:49 PM ET
author
Hugo Marco Janssen PardoLive reporter

Rinya Nakamura vs Carlos Vera

Bantamweight fight (up to 61.2 kg): Rinya Nakamura (61.4 kg) vs Carlos Vera (61.4 kg). If earlier we talked about how hard it was to follow Barlow's TKO, the bar Zhang has set is almost impossible to overcome.

February 17, 2024 8:31 PM ET
author
Hugo Marco Janssen PardoLive reporter

Quick summary of UFC 298 so far

Summary so far, the first two fights have resulted in easy wins for Miranda Maverick and Oban Elliott by unanimous decision, 30-27, 30-27 and 29-28. The third fight has seen the first finish of the evening, Danny Barlow knocks out Josh Quinlan with a series of straight punches to the temple. Zhang Minyang savagely knocked out Brendson RIbeiro, a powerful and withering right hand.

February 17, 2024 8:26 PM ET
author
Hugo Marco Janssen PardoLive reporter

Topuria incredible highlights

February 17, 2024 4:15 AM ET
author
Hugo Marco Janssen PardoLive reporter

UFC!

Photo: Disclosure/UFC
Photo: Disclosure/UFC

February 17, 2024 9:55 AM ET
author
Hugo Marco Janssen PardoLive reporter

SPEAK UP, Volkanowski

"You You can take advantage of it now, but you won't be able to take advantage of it now. will never go again I'll see you again," said the Australian. "Not until you finish. I will teach you a lesson. I'll hit you and who knows? become a great champion. Until There, take your hands off my belt,” he added.

February 17, 2024 9:50 AM ET
author
Hugo Marco Janssen PardoLive reporter

SPEAK UP, TOPURIA

"Did you see how you're dressed? You already know what's going to happen. You've come into your retirement, old man. I'm the evolution of this game, the new generation. It's time to end his legacy and begin mine. You said would humble me, so get up and do something."

“I plan to do a good job this weekend and I don’t know if they’ve found something for UFC 300. Maybe I can go and save the show there. too. I'm not lying about that. This old man here still has a lot of energy. I would be happy to fight in the main event of UFC 300. It wouldn't be a featherweight fight. It would have to be a lightweight opponent and I would be more than happy to take on that,” reaffirmed Volkanovski.

“At UFC 300, you’ll will still be in the hospital. It will still be recovering. Trust me,” he said.

February 17, 2024 9:45 AM ET
author
Hugo Marco Janssen PardoLive reporter

FIGHTERS' STRATEGIES!

Volkanovski and Topuria demonstrate distinct strategies and preferences in their fighting approaches. Volkanovski, with a predominant focus on the head (62.9%), mainly uses blows to the head. distance (73.6%) to keep the fight going; (83.4%). His attacks are well distributed, with 11% aimed at the body and 26.1% at the legs, while his position on the ground reflects a preference for being on top (12.4 %). On the other hand, Topuria has a more pronounced preference for the head (74.8%), also using blows to the head. distance (73.7%), but with a greater inclination towards the ground (23.4%), where he seeks to be on top (24.3%). Although both opt for the clinch to a certain extent, Volkanovski shows a greater preference for keeping the fight standing, while Topuria is more likely to fight. more willing to take the confrontation to the ground. These differences in strategies and positioning reflect each fighter's unique approaches to combat.

February 17, 2024 9:40 AM ET
author
Hugo Marco Janssen PardoLive reporter

NUMBERS OF THE FIGHTERS!

Ilia Topuria, known for his precision and dominance in the octagon, demonstrated his statistical superiority with knockdowns every 15 minutes, scoring an impressive 0.97. His defensive ability is also outstanding. This is remarkable, with a punch defense of 67.1%, surpassing the UFC average of 56.1%. Furthermore, his exceptional takedown defense, recording 92.9%, contrasts with the UFC average of 62.2%. These numbers reflect Topuria's technical skill and guile, making him a formidable competitor in the octagon. His ability to dodge attacks and respond effectively positions him as a feared opponent. With a mix of calculated aggression and solid defense, Topuria continues to prove his prowess on the UFC scene, leaving an indelible mark in every encounter.

February 17, 2024 9:35 AM ET
author
Hugo Marco Janssen PardoLive reporter

MAIN CARD

Featherweight belt (up to 65.7 kg): Alexander Volkanovski (65.5 kg) x Ilia Topuria (65.5 kg)

Middleweight (up to 83.9 kg): Robert Whittaker (84.1 kg) x Paulo Borrachinha (84.1 kg)

Welterweight (up to 77.1 kg): Geoff Neal (77.3 kg) x Ian Machado Garry (77.3 kg)

Bantamweight (up to 61.2 kg): Merab Dvalishvili (61.2 kg) x Henry Cejudo (61.2 kg)

Middleweight (up to 83.9 Kg): Anthony Hernandez (84.1 Kg) x Roman Kopylov (83.9 Kg)

February 17, 2024 9:30 AM ET
author
Hugo Marco Janssen PardoLive reporter

PRELIMINARY CARD!

Strawweight (up to 52.1 kg): Amanda Lemos (52.3 kg) x Mackenzie Dern (52.6 kg)

Heavyweight (up to 120.1 Kg): Marcos Rogério "Pezão" (118.6 Kg) x Junior Tafa (112.9 Kg)

Bantamweight (up to 61.2 kg): Rinya Nakamura (61.4 kg) x Carlos Vera (61.4 kg)

Light heavyweight (up to 92.9 kg): Zhang Minyang (92.5 kg) x Brendson Ribeiro (93.2 kg)

Welterweight (up to 77.1 kg): Josh Quinlan (76.6 kg) x Danny Barlow (77.5 kg)

Welterweight (up to 77.1 kg): Oban Elliott (77.3 kg) x Val Woodburn (76.8 kg)

Flyweight (up to 56.7 kg): Andrea Lee (56.9 kg) x Miranda Maverick (57.1 kg)

February 17, 2024 9:25 AM ET
author
Hugo Marco Janssen PardoLive reporter

The game will be played at Honda Center

The Alexander Volkanowski vs Ilia Topuria game will be played at Honda Center, with a capacity at 18.000 people.

February 17, 2024 9:20 AM ET
author
Hugo Marco Janssen PardoLive reporter

Welcome to VAVEL.com coverage of the UFC 298: Alexander Volkanowski vs Ilia Topuria updates

My name is Thomas Alencar and I will be your host for this fight. We will provide latest information on VAVEL.

February 17, 2024 9:15 AM ET