UFC 298 odds, predictions, start time, Anaheim fight card: Volkanovski vs. Topuria picks by top MMA insider
A classic matchup featuring an accomplished champion taking on a hungry young challenger will serve as the backdrop of the UFC 298 main event on Saturday when featherweight king Alexander Volkanovski meets No. 3-ranked contender Ilia Topuria. Their five-round showdown anchors the main UFC 298 fight card starting at 10 p.m. ET from the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. Volkanovski has defended the belt five times and adding a sixth would enhance his legacy as one of the promotion's most accomplished featherweights. The surging Topuria, who has won all six of his UFC outings, is determined to start his own reign as champion by pulling the upset.
Volkanovski is a -120 favorite (risk $120 to win $100), while Topuria comes back at +100 in the latest UFC 298: Volkanovski vs. Topuria odds. In the co-main event, former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker takes on one-time title challenger Paulo Costa (+185). Before locking in any UFC 298 picks, make sure you check out the MMA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine expert Daniel Vithlani.
From breaking down film and following fighters and their camps closely, to tracking sharp action and betting market signals, Vithlani covers the breadth of the MMA betting landscape top to bottom. He also trains amateur boxers and speaks regularly with MMA fighters to understand the sport's nuances.
Vithlani made his SportsLine debut last January of last year and swept the main card for UFC 283 with a 5-0 record and has been a consistent winner ever since. At UFC 292 in August, he called the upset for underdog Sean O'Malley (+210) against Aljamain Sterling (-250) in the bantamweight championship main event. Anyone who has followed Vithlani already has seen massive returns.
Now, with UFC 298: Volkanovski vs. Topuria in sight, Vithlani has studied the card from top to bottom and released his top picks and best bets. You can only see those picks at SportsLine.
UFC 298: Volkanovski vs. Topuria preview
The main event Saturday is one of the most anticipated featherweight matchups in recent memory, in large part because many MMA observers believe it could spell the end of Volkanovski's long tenure at the top of the division.
At first, UFC fans were slow to embrace Volkanovski, mostly because he supplanted an ultra-popular champion in Holloway. However, after he won all three legs of their trilogy and defeated other contenders in dominant fashion, the sentiment turned in his favor. In fact, the 35-year-old Australian is now arguably the promotion's most popular active champion.
Volkanovski (26-3) is known for his exceptional power at featherweight, along with a well-rounded MMA skillset and perhaps the best endurance in the division.
However, the swaggering Topuria (14-0) has been pegged as a potential title contender ever since he joined the UFC in October 2020, and the Spanish fighter is convinced it's his time to take the belt from Volkanovski and begin his own long reign at the top.
The versatile and smooth Topuria has eight submissions and four knockouts on his record and many MMA observers believe the 27-year-old is also the best pure athlete in the division. His last appearance resulted in a five-round decision over veteran contender Josh Emmett last June in his headlining debut. You can see more UFC 298 picks at SportsLine.
UFC 298 predictions
We'll share one of Vithlani's UFC 298 picks here: He is backing Roman Kopylov (+180) to pull the upset of Anthony Hernandez (-220) in a showdown of middleweight prospects to launch the main card.
Hernandez (11-2-1) recently cracked the rankings at No. 15 on the strength of a stretch in which he has won five of six, with the lone defeat coming to veteran contender Kevin Holland. The 30-year-old Californian is known for his versatility, endurance and ability to make adjustments on the fly. His last outing resulted in a stoppage of one-time rising star Edmen Shahbazyan in May of last year.
Kopylov (12-2) is a power puncher who has 11 knockouts among his 12 professional MMA victories and heads into Saturday with four consecutive victories, all by stoppage. The 32-year-old Russian stopped fellow prospect Josh Fremd in the second round of their September fight.
"Kopylov utilizes his feints well and uses all of his striking weapons to all levels. If he gets Kopylov on the ground, Hernandez could find a submission with his lethal Ju-Jitsu. However, I think Kopylov will make him pay for sloppy takedown shots and knock Hernandez out," Vithlani told SportsLine. You can see more UFC 298 picks at SportsLine.
How to make UFC 298 picks
Vithlani has strong picks for Volkanovski vs. Topuria and other bouts on the UFC 298 card. He's also backing a fighter who "is highly technical and relies on fight IQ" to emerge with a dominant victory Those picks are only available at SportsLine.
UFC 298 odds, fight card
Alexander Volkanovski (-120) vs. Ilia Topuria (+100)Robert Whittaker (-225) vs. Paulo Costa (+180)Ian Garry (-225) vs. Geoff Neal (+185)Merab Dvalishvili (-210) vs. Henry Cejudo (+190)Anthony Hernandez (-205) vs. Roman Kopylov (+170)Amanda Lemos (-140) vs. Mackenzie Dern (+120)Marcos Rogerio De Lima (-140) vs. Justin Tafa (+120)Danny Barlow (-200) vs. Josh Quinlan (+170)Miranda Maverick (-180) vs. Andrea Lee (+160)
Oban Elliott (-300) vs. Val Woodburn (+240)
