Volkanovski vs Topuria

Who won Volkanovski vs Topuria?

Ilia Topuria beat Alexander Volkanovski by knockout in the 2nd round during the main event of UFC 298, on Saturday 17th February 2024 at Honda Center in Anaheim.

The fight was scheduled to take place over 5 rounds in the Featherweight division, which meant the weight limit was 145 pounds (10.4 stone or 65.8 KG).

This contest was for the UFC Featherweight championship.

Volkanovski vs Topuria stats

Alexander Volkanovski stepped into the octagon with a record of 26 wins, 3 losses and 0 draws, 13 of those wins coming by the way of knock out and 3 by submission.

Ilia Topuria made his way to the cage with an unblemished record of 14 wins, 0 losses, and 0 draws, 4 of those wins coming by knock out and 8 by submission.

This was Alexander Volkanovski's 17th fight in the UFC, having made his debut for the promotion in 2016. Ilia Topuria marked his 8th fight for them, having made his own debut for the promotion in 2020.

Alexander Volkanovski's UFC record stood at 14-3-0, while Ilia Topuria's came in at 8-0-0.

The stats suggested Volkanovski had a large advantage in power over Topuria, boasting a 50% knock out percentage over Topuria's 29%.

If the fight went to the ground, their records suggested Topuria had a massive advantage over Volkanovski, boasting a 57% submission rate over Volkanovski's 12%.

Alexander Volkanovski was the older man by 8 years, at 36 years old.

Topuria had a height advantage of 1 inch over Volkanovski. Despite this, he had a 3-inch reach advantage.

Volkanovski was the more experienced professional fighter, having had 15 more fights, and made his debut in 2012, 2 years and 10 months earlier than Topuria, whose first professional fight was in 2015. He had fought 59 more professional rounds, 87 to Topuria's 28.

Volkanovski vs Topuria form

Volkanovski had won all 5 of his most recent fights, stopping 1 opponent and going to the judges 4 times.

In his last fight leading up to this contest, he had won against Brian Ortega at UFC 266 on 25th September 2021 by unanimous decision in their UFC Featherweight championship fight at T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, United States.

Previous to that, he had beaten Max Holloway at UFC 251 on 11th July 2020 by split decision in their UFC Featherweight championship fight at UFC Fight Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Going into that contest, he had defeated Max Holloway at UFC 245 on 14th December 2019 by unanimous decision in their UFC Featherweight championship fight at T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, United States.

Before that, he was victorious against Jose Aldo at UFC 237 on 11th May 2019 by unanimous decision in their 3 round contest at Jeunesse Arena, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

He had won against Chad Mendes at UFC 232 on 29th December 2018 by knockout in the 2nd round at The Forum, Inglewood, United States.

Topuria remained undefeated as a professional, stopping 2 of his last 5 opponents.

In his last fight before this contest, he had beaten Josh Emmett at UFC Fight Night – Emmett vs. Topuria on 24th June 2023 by unanimous decision in their 5 round contest at : VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, Jacksonville, United States.

Previous to that, he had defeated Bryce Mitchell at UFC 282 on 10th December 2022 by submission in the 2nd round at T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas.

Going into that contest, he was victorious against Jai Herbert at UFC Fight Night London on 19th March 2022 by knockout in the 2nd round at 02 Arena, London, United Kingdom.

Before that, he had won against Ryan Hall at UFC 264 on 10th July 2021 by knockout in the 1st round at T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, United States.

He had beaten Youssef Zalal at UFC Fight Island 5 on 10th October 2020 by unanimous decision in their 3 round contest at UFC Fight Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Activity check

In terms of activity leading into the fight, Ilia Topuria had been fighting more than Alexander Volkanovski.

Going to this contest, Alexander Volkanovski had last fought 3 years, 7 months and 12 days ago, while Ilia Topuria's last outing had been 1 year, 10 months and 13 days ago.

Volkanovski's last 5 fights had come over a period of 6 years, 4 months and 8 days, meaning he had been fighting on average every 1 year, 3 months and 9 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 20 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 4 rounds on average.

Topuria's last 5 fights had come over a period of 4 years, 6 months and 27 days, meaning he had been fighting on average every 11 months. In those fights, he fought a total of 13 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 2.6 rounds on average.

What were the odds on Volkanovski vs Topuria?

Alexander Volkanovski was a 4/5 (-130) favourite going into the contest, while Ilia Topuria made his way into the ring at 57/50 (+120) with oddsmakers.