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

Topuria remained undefeated as a professional, stopping 3 of his last 5 opponents.

In his last fight before this contest, he had won against Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 on 17th February 2024 by knockout in the 2nd round in their UFC Featherweight championship fight at Honda Center, Anaheim, United States.

Previous to that, 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.

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

Before that, 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.

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.

Activity check

Topuria's last 5 fights had come over a period of 3 years, 10 months and 20 days, meaning he had been fighting on average every 9 months and 11 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 12 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 2.4 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.