UFC: Alexander Volkanovski vs Ilia Topuria at UFC 298 a coin flip

One of the top fighters on the UFC’s pound-for-pound list currently has the same odds on Bet99 as his opponent to leave UFC 298 with the featherweight title. This is interesting considering his opponent is not even the number one ranked fighter in the division and is not on the pound-for-pound rankings. Is he that good? Or has the champion lost a step?

Fight details

Alexander Volkanovski will attempt to defend his UFC featherweight championship against Ilia Topuria in the main event of UFC 298 on February 17 in Anaheim. Volkanovski and Topuria have similarl odds on all UFC betting sites, but they have the same odds on Bet99. Volkanovski and Topuria currently have -110 odds to win the fight. Volkanovski is the number three ranked fighter on the pound-for-pound rankings and has a 26-3 professional MMA record. Topuria is the number three ranked fighter in the featherweight division and has a 14-0 professional MMA record.

Ilia “El Matador” Topuria

The sportsbooks are giving Ilia Topuria a great shot to win this fight. If nothing changes, Topuria will walk into this bout with about the same odds as the champ to win this fight. Topuria has not lost a fight yet in his professional MMA career. He has knockout power, has shown the ability to defend takedowns, has a submission victory in the UFC, and has never tasted defeat in his professional career. He has three knockout victories, but Topuria also has a submission and decision victory in the UFC. His versatility and ability to win fights in multiple ways should be a plus for him against someone as well-rounded as Volkanovski.

#UFC298 is right around the corner 💥

Buy now and save $10!

📺: https://t.co/Aam6A1iTSl pic.twitter.com/v4y4Ihuwm7

— UFC (@ufc) February 8, 2024

Topuria has a lot of things going for him. A huge concern if you are thinking about betting on Topuria is whether or not Volkanovski is too much of a step up in competition. For the past few years, Volkanovski has done nothing but fight the best fighters in the world, whether that be in his division or the lightweight division. Topuria has never stepped into the octagon with someone as accomplished and skilled as Volkansovski. This should be a huge leap in competition. Topuria has tools that should help him in this fight. His knockout power could be a huge factor in this fight if he can keep this fight on the feet. He has not won all his fights by knockout, but his power has forced his opponents into tough situations. Topuria will have a great shot in this fight if Volkanovski can not handle his power or defend throughout the fight.

Alexander “The Great” Volkanovski

Featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski is coming off his second loss to lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, a vicious KO/TKO loss. After a defeat like that, many may be wondering whether or not Volkanovski has lost a step. If Volkanovski is his regular self, there is no reason he should not be able to win this fight. He has been in the octagon with the best fighters the UFC has to offer for years and has always found a way to leave victorious, except against Makhachev at lightweight. He is one of the most versatile strikers in the division and has a lot of tools to help him in this fight.

Topuria has looked like a worthy challenger in his fights, but he has been knocked down by lesser competition. Volkanovski has proven to be as good as it gets in the featherweight division right now. Volkanovski also can wrestle. Whether or not Topuria will be able to stop Volkanovski from taking him down to the ground could be a huge factor in this fight. A big concern if you are considering betting on Volkanovski is whether or not he will be his old self again after losing by KO/TKO in his last fight. We will find out if he has lost a step.

The rest of the card