UFC 298 LIVE: Volkanovski vs Topuria fight updates and results tonight
Re-live updates as Alexander Volkanovski defended his featherweight title against Ilia Topuria
Ilia Topuria dethroned featherweight great Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 on Saturday, knocking the Australian out cold in round two.
Volkanovski’s reign at 145lbs has been a storied one, and the 35-year-old was seeking a sixth straight successful title defence as he fought Topuria in Anaheim.
The champion started well, but Topuria’s knockout threat was a key narrative in the build-up to this main event, and the Georgian-Spaniard delivered on that threat.
Midway through the second round, Topuria, 27, landed a picture-perfect fight hook with Volkanovski against the cage, and the Australian collapsed to the canvas at once. With that, Volkanovski’s four-year title reign came to an end, as the unbeaten Topuria became the first UFC champion to represent Georgia or Spain.
Re-live updates and results from the UFC 298 main card and prelims, below.
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UFC 298 LIVE: Volkanovski vs Topuria
UFC 298 LIVE: Volkanovski vs Topuria
Volkanovski: “Obviously he has some power in his hands.
“Well done to him, he caught me. I was gonna start working everything, and he got me, so credit to him.
“He’s a hard hitter, we knew that going in. He wasn’t meant to land like that, but he did.
“He keeps mentioning Spain, maybe we do a rematch there.”
UFC 298 LIVE: Volkanovski vs Topuria
“I feel so happy, Joe, I feel so happy right now,” Topuria tells Joe Rogan. “They’re gonna tell you that you can’t do it, but guess what? Trust yourself, work tirelessly, have faith, and everything is possible.
“Look at me, look at me now. I just know my skills, Joe. I worked so hard for this. I was knowing always that one day I would become a UFC champion. Guys, it doesn’t matter where you come from if you know where you’re going.
“It’s time to take the UFC to Spain.”
UFC 298 LIVE: Volkanovski vs Topuria
Ilia Topuria def. Alexander Volkanovski via second-round KO (punch, 3:32)
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