UFC 298 as it happened - Ilia Topuria stops Alexander Volkanovski, Ireland's Ian Machado Garry defeats Geoff Neal
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Updated 18/02/2024 at 06:24 GMT
Welcome to TNT Sports' live text coverage of UFC 298 where Australia's featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski was dethroned by challenger Ilia Topuria, live on TNT Sports. Additionally, Ireland's Ian Machado Garry edged Geoff Neal while middleweights Robert Whittaker defeated Paulo Costa in a middleweight slugfest on the highly anticipated main card.
Ilia Topuria battles Alexander Volkanovski of Australia in the UFC featherweight championship fight during the UFC 298 event at Honda Center on February 17, 2024 in Anaheim, California.
Image credit: Getty Images
THAT'S ALL FOR UFC 298!
Thanks for following this exhilarating night of action with us. You don't have to wait for the next action from the Octagon, as we are showing UFC Fight Night: Moreno v Royval 2 on Sunday February 25 from Mexico City.
How do I watch UFC live streams on TNT Sports?
The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+ where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination.
You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.
A select number of events will be on TNT Sports Box Office. TNT Sports Box Office offers both subscribers and non-subscribers pay-per-view access to some of the most exciting events in the calendar.
BISPING RECOMMENDS VOLKANOVSKI TAKES TIME OUT
"For his career at featherweight, does he deserve a rematch, of course he does," Bisping said live on TNT Sports.
"But after two consecutive knockouts, there is the damage physically but more importantly mentally.
"He is better taking time out but at 35 he might think he does not have that time."
VOLKANOVSKI WANTS REMATCH IN SPAIN
Ilia Topuria, Spain's first UFC champion, wants to defend in his how country and the Australian said he would like a rematch there.
AS SWEET A RIGHT HAND AS HAS EVER WON A UFC CROWN
THERE IS A NEW FEATHERWEIGHT KING
TOPURIA KO'S VOLKANOVSKI IN ROUND 2!
Toporia began landing the more telling blows but Volkanovski still was getting joy from his jabs which bloodied the front of the challenger's nose, but the Spaniard was always looking for the right hand and when he landed clean the fight was over. Volkanovski hit the canvas and after a couple of shots on the ground the referee dived in.
VOLKANOVSKI-TOPURIA: ROUND 1
Volkanovski began with a lot of kicks early on but few landed cleanly and less had any effect. Topuria controlled the centre of the ring and his kicks brought up welts on the champion's leg. As the round wore on though, Volkanovski began getting through with kicks and both landed knees in close.
IT'S TIME...
We are moments away from the bout we have all been waiting for.
0531: THE MAIN EVENT IS NEXT!
Will Alexander Volkanovski prove he is still the king of the featherweights or is it Ilia Topuria's time?
WHITTAKER WINS UNANIMOUS DECISION!
He won 30-27, 29-28 and 29-28 on the judges' scorecards.
WHITTAKER-COSTA: ROUND 3
A reversal with Costa landing kicks to Whittaker's legs and slowing down the New Zealander's movement. Whittaker landed flush on Costa's chin but it had no effect. Costa walking down his opponent and landing kicks in the first half of the round, but Whittaker landed the cleaner shots as the fight drew to a close.
WHITTAKER-COSTA: ROUND 2
Costa bloodied Whittaker's face with his jab and right hands, but Whittaker continued to be dangerous with calf kicks and combinations. The action was paused briefly after Costa caught Costa with a thumb to the eye. Whittaker's flurries just land him the round.
WHITTAKER-COSTA: ROUND 1
Costa with eye-catching head kicks with either foot early on, Whittaker then had the better of the next three minutes landing with combinations and slowing the Brazilian with his calf kicks. But then a spinning kick from Costa landed right on the button with his heel. Somehow Whittaker stayed on his feet but as Costa then landed a flurry the Kiwi was lucky to be saved by the buzzeer.
0500: EXPLOSIVE MIDDLEWEIGHT CONTEST COMING UP
Paulo Costa of Brazil takes on former champion Robert Whittaker.
GARRY CALLS OUT COLBY COVINGTON
'The Future' has one man in mind for his next bout: Triple C.
GARRY WINS SPLIT DECISION
Garry wins 30-27 on two cards, with Neal taking the fight in the other judges' mind by 29-28.
GARRY-NEAL: ROUND 3
Garry edging the early part of the round with his quick kicks and jabs from range. Neal landed in close with his left on a couple of occasions but then opted to clinch and Garry timed a superb right knee with a couple of minutes left on the clock. The superior conditioning of Garry earned him the last round, but will it be enough?
GARRY-NEAL: ROUND 2
Garry has success early, using his speed advantage to catch Neal with knees, combining with kicks and right hands as the American looked to close the distance. Neal tries to wear Garry down holding him against the fence drawing boos from the crowd and has some success in close with hooks, bloodying Garry's mouth. Another close round. All to play for going into the last.
GARRY-NEAL: ROUND 1
Garry fighting on the back foot was caught with calf kicks from Neal, while landing a few front kicks before being forced against the Octagon. When they split, Garry took control landing knees and front kicks to maybe edge the round.
0420: GARRY UP NEXT...
Ireland's unbeaten Ian Machado Garry (13-0) takes on Geoff 'Handz of Steal'' Neal (15-5) next. We are really excited about this one between the #10 and #8 ranked welterweights.
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'I cannot wait to prove everybody wrong!' - Garry opens up on online criticism
'I'M READY FOR O'MALLEY'
"I'm ready for the fight," Dvalishvili said after his tenth consecutive win. "I've been calling Sean O'Malley since 2018. My only goal is for a title now."
DVALISHVILI WINS BY UNANIMOUS DECISION
Dvalishvili wins on all three cards 29-28. Cejudo produced a great first round but from this point onwards could not handle the indomitable force that is the Machine.
DVALISHVILI-CEJUDO: ROUND 3
The Machine's unrelenting pace had him in control through the round, landing the telling blows and then managing a dramatic takedown after walking Cejudo across the mat.
DVALISHVILI-CEJUDO: ROUND 2
The Georgian landing with meaningful blows as Cejudo had his chin too high in the air. Dvalishvili took his opponent to the canvas midway through the round and then ragdolled the Olympic champion wrestler to the floor for a second time. Cejudo survived an attempted submission with a choke, holding on until the buzzer. Big round for Dvalishvili.
DVALISHVILI-CEJUDO: ROUND 1
Cejudo connects with a right hook early which wobbles the Georgian fighter who missed with early kicks, but got a takedown midway through the first round and knocked the American to the floor, although Cejudo was able to turn him over on the ground and may have taken the round controlling the rest of the stanza.
0340: FIGHT FOR THE RIGHT NEXT...
#2-ranked bantamweight Merab Dvalishvili takes on former flyweight and bantamweight champion #3 Henry Cejudo. The winner seems certain to fight champion Sean O'Malley this year, with #1 Aljamain Sterling fighting at featherweight at UFC 300.
EARLIER TONIGHT...ELLIOTT WON ON UFC DEBUT
'The Welsh Gangster' Oban Elliott (now 10-2) won a decision against Val Woodburn. Afterwards he got to meet his WWE hero - and former UFC competitor - CM Punk before catching up with TNT Sports' Caroline Pearce.
HERNANDEZ WINS BY SUBMISSION IN ROUND 2!
Kopylov hurt Hernandez with a kick to the head but the American also landed a couple of uppercuts inside. Hernandez then brought his opponent to the mat and locked in a rear naked choke. Somehow Kopylov held off the inevitable for a minute before tapping out.
HERNANDEZ-KOPYLOV: ROUND 1
Both fighters landing blows. Kopylov the classier combinations, but Hernandez connecting with big right hands and then after 1 takedown from 11 attempts throws a couple of big elbows on the buzzer.
0315: HERNANDEZ-KOPYLOV IS UP FIRST
The middleweight contest sees native Californian fighter Anthony Hernandez (11-2) meet Russian Roman Kopylov (12-2).
0310: WE ARE MOMENTS AWAY FROM THE MAIN CARD
Live coverage of UFC 298 from Honda Centre in Anaheim, United States, is on TNT Sports 2 and on Discovery+.
0300: GARRY LOOKING THE GOODS
LEMOS WINS UNANIMOUS DECISION
All three judges gave her the fight 29-28. You have to feel for Dern who gave everything and hopefully will earn a bonus for her pain. What a way to end the prelims.
LEMOS-DERN: ROUND 3
Dern launches a right hand which drops Lemos to the floor. The two then lock together and go to the mat with Dern getting the better of the grappling, though Limos avoids a submission and gets a little ground and pound at the end. Definitely Dern's round. It could depend on how the first round is scored. What a pair of warriors though.
LEMOS-DERN: ROUND 2
More vicious calf kicks had Dern doing an unsteady dance and Lemos took full advantage launching an assault with both hands with a right hand sending her opponent fall to the floor with bloody nose and mouth. Lemos let her up off the floor looking for a knockout but Dern showed incredible heart to force her opponent against the Octagon and then after being taken down turned her opponent to end the round on top of her opponent.
LEMOS-DERN: ROUND 1
Lemos begins just so slick in and out of range and delivering kicks to Dern's calf compromising her opponent's movement even in the first two minutes. Dern executes with a fine takedown midway through the round though but Lemos avoids attempted arm bars. A round of two halfs.
0230: WOMEN'S STRAWWEIGHT ACTION NEXT...
#3-ranked Amanda Lemos (13-3-1) takes on Mackenzie Dern (13-4), who has replaced the injured Tatiana Suarez as the Brazilian's opponent.
DE LIMA WINS BY STOPPAGE!
It was basically a leg kick stoppage. Another shot to the lead leg sees it give way and fall to the floor. The Brazilian gets a couple of head shots in before the fight is stopped.
DE LIMA-TAFA: ROUND 1
Brutal calf kicks from De Lima see Junior Tafa struggling to stand and from there it was one-way traffic. A takedown saw Tafa have to deal with De Lima's 19 stone on top of him in the final two minutes. He limped to the corner when the buzzer went, as ice was applied to his leg.
0210: A STAREDOWN WITH ELON MUSK OUT OF THE QUESTION?
0205: HEAVYWEIGHTS ARE UP NEXT
Marcos Rogerio de Lima (21-10-1) takes on Junior Tafa (5-1), who is replacing his brother Justin.
'SORRY EVERYONE'
Nakamura apologises for not being able to showcase his usual exciting style.
"Sorry everyone - I need to brush up every aspect of my martial arts," Nakamura said.
NAKAMURA WINS BY UNANIMOUS DECISION
The judges will have harder fights to gauge tonight. All three gave 'Hybrid' the fight 30-27.
NAKAMURA-VERA: ROUND 3
Not a fan friendly fight. Vera again on his back for the majority of the round after trying a few spin kicks early in the round. He was clearly hampered by a shoulder complaint but as Mike Bisping said in commentary his reliance on leg locks is a flawed technique at this level. He did deny 'Hybrid' another showcase stoppage win though.
NAKAMURA-VERA: ROUND 2
Once more a round almost exclusively on the canvas with Nakamura in control but Vera's world class defence stopping Hybrid from being able to gain a submission.
NAKAMURA-VERA: ROUND 1
Fascinating wrestling encounter - rudely booed by the crowd. Vera spent the majority of the time on his back but was constantly moving and with leg locks had Nakamura in trouble on a couple of occasions - but he took a number of blows as well.
0130: UNBEATEN JAPANESE STAR RINYA NAKAMURA
He takes on Carlos Vera who hopes to shock the 8-0 (6 KOs) star 'Hybrid' who looks to be on the fast track to the top of the bantamweight division.
ZHANG WINS BY ROUND 1 KO!
The Chinese fighter was hurt by a one-two early on and looked likely to be stopped himself but then an explosive straight right hand, left hook put Ribeiro down on the canvas and after a few hammer punches the referee jumped in.
0117: ZHANG-RIBEIRO IS UNDERWAY...
0100: HERE WE GO...
Our first fight has China's Mingyang Zhang (16-6) taking on Brendson Ribeiro (15-5) of Brazil as both light heavyweights make their UFC bows.
0050: NOT LONG TO GO UNTIL THE ACTION BEGINS
The live action from Anaheim begins at 01:00 on TNT Sports and Discovery+.
0040: WE ARE ESPECIALLY EXCITED TO SEE GARRY TONIGHT
Ian Machado Garry was forced ot pull out of fighting Vincente Luque in UFC 296, so feels especially ready to put on a show for his fans - and to quieten 'the haters'.
'I cannot wait to prove everybody wrong!' - Garry opens up on online criticism
0030: UFC MAIN CARDS ARE ALWAYS DEEP...
But this one feels especially stacked.
0020: AS EVER THE PRESS CONFERENCE WAS AN EVENT IN ITSELF...
0010: THE TIMELINE OF THE EVENING...
Live coverage from Honda Centre in Anaheim, United States, begins at 01:00 UK time with the prelims on TNT Sports 1 and on discovery+.
The main card will begin at 03:00 with the main event coming around 06:00.
HELLO AND WELCOME TO UFC 298 ON TNT SPORTS!
I'm Ciaran Baynes and I'll be following the action with you through the prelims and the main card, up to the mouth-watering main event between Alexander Volkanovski and Ilia Topuria for the UFC featherweight crown.
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Australia's featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski will seek to defend his title against challenger Ilia Topuria of Georgia, live on TNT Sports.
Ian Machado Garry faces Geoff Neal in a welterweight clash. Meanwhile, Robert Whittaker and Paulo Costa, ranked third and sixth respectively, go head-to-head in a middleweight bout, while bantamweights Merab Dvalishvili and Henry Cejudo face off, and Anthony Hernandez takes on Roman Kopylov in a middleweight fight.
UFC 298: What TV channel is the main card on?
Live coverage from Honda Centre in Anaheim, United States, begins at 01:00 UK time on Sunday, February 18 on TNT Sports 1 and on discovery+.
UFC 298 is part of a stacked few months of mixed martial arts action on TNT Sports. For full details, click here.
What time does UFC 298 start in the UK? Full fight card
Live coverage starts at 01:00 in the UK on Sunday, February 18.
Prelims
- Amanda Lemos v Mackenzie Dern
- Marcos Rogerio De Lima v Justin Tafa
- Rinya Nakamura v Carlos Vera
- Zhang Mingyang v Brendson Ribeiro
Main card
- Alexander Volkanovski v Ilia Topuria
- Robert Whittaker v Paulo Costa
- Geoff Neal v Ian Machado Garry
- Merab Dvalishvili v Henry Cejudo
- Anthony Hernandez v Roman Kopylov
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You can subscribe to TNT Sports through discovery+, BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.
How do I watch UFC live streams on TNT Sports?
The streaming home for UFC in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination.
You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.
A select number of events will be on TNT Sports Box Office. TNT Sports Box Office offers both subscribers and non-subscribers pay-per-view access to some of the most exciting events in the calendar.
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