UFC 298 takeaways: Ilia Topuria’s win indicators a altering panorama at featherweight

What had been the largest moments from UFC 298? Brett Okamoto, Marc Raimondi and Jeff Wagenheim provide up their ultimate ideas after an 12-fight card in Anaheim, California, on Saturday evening.

Topuria’s win indicators a altering panorama at 145 kilos

Wagenheim: The narrative in the course of the leadup to this occasion was that Alexander Volkanovski, at age 35, is simply too outdated to be a UFC champion. A protracted checklist of battle outcomes serves as proof of that reality, however let’s set it apart for a second. Nothing ought to diminish the accomplishment of Ilia Topuria.

The undefeated 27-year-old from Spain is the UFC males’s featherweight champion as a result of he stood toe to toe with the best 145-pounder combined martial arts has seen and knocked him out chilly. Max Holloway could not do it in three tries. Jose Aldo did not come shut, and neither did Yair Rodriguez, Brian Ortega or Chan Sung Jung — collectively, the perfect the load class has needed to provide in recent times.

Topuria had by no means been within the cage with the likes of any of these fighters. The different narrative that circulated within the days earlier than this battle — apart from the historic lack of success that male fighters 35 and older have had in title bouts at decrease weight lessons — was that there are ranges to this sport. Topuria discovered that actuality early on this battle, as his aggression was met by Volkanovski’s counterpunches and a gradual assault of leg kicks.

However Topuria stored going ahead. And early in Spherical 2 he related flush with a proper hand that stiffened Volkanovski.

The sight of Volkanovski immobile on the canvas was harking back to the quick aftermath of the head-kick knockout in his rematch with light-weight champ Islam Makhachev in October. There was a query coming into the title battle whether or not Volkanovski was absolutely recovered from his final matchup, however once more, let’s not diminish what Topuria did in claiming a title that, within the leadup, he was so vocally assured can be his on this evening.

Volkanovski gained 11 straight featherweight fights, regardless of two losses in his quest so as to add the 155-pound belt. His 5 title defenses had been greater than twice as many as the subsequent most completed UFC champ has. Now, the longest UFC title reign belongs to Leon Edwards, who has owned the welterweight belt since August 2022 — simply 18 months in the past.

Whether or not one declares that, usually, MMA is a younger fighter’s sport, or zeroes in on Topuria as the subsequent massive factor as a result of he is the UFC’s solely undefeated champion, this evening makes it clear that the panorama is altering. If Holloway can get previous Justin Gaethje in April, for instance, he’ll be again in play as a possible title challenger, a standing that was unlikely whereas Volkanovski held the belt.

Topuria planting his flag on the prime of the mountain modifications every thing for everybody close to the height of the featherweight division. And the assured new champ appears to be the kind of fighter who’ll welcome all challengers.

Can Ian Machado Garry proceed to rise above the noise?

Raimondi: Machado Garry picked up the largest win of his younger profession Saturday evening, but it appears the venom that UFC followers have for him has solely elevated exponentially. Possibly that can show to be a constructive factor for the younger fighter — it is higher to have followers boo you than be detached to you. However Machado Garry’s profession trajectory from here’s a distinctive one.

Beating Geoff Neal is nothing to sneeze at. Neal was probably the most formidable opponent but for the 26-year-old Irishman, a sturdy energy puncher with actual boxing expertise. However Machado Garry gained a tactical, clever efficiency fairly than an thrilling one. MMA followers are fickle. Had Machado Garry gone out and wiped Neal out — once more, no straightforward process — he would possibly nonetheless have been booed, however there absolutely can be a measure of respect there. Like, hey, we do not like this man, however he is actually good.

There was none of that at UFC 298. The boos had been intense from the followers in Anaheim when the cut up choice was learn and solely intensified throughout Machado Garry’s post-fight interview. It was absolutely higher to inch out a detailed choice over Neal than find yourself staring up on the lights after an enormous left hand, however that wasn’t something the followers at Honda Heart cared about in the mean time.

For these scoring at residence, UFC followers do not like Machado Garry due to some run-of-the-mill trash discuss and his relationship along with his spouse Layla, who wrote a satirical guide a decade in the past — earlier than they had been married — referred to as “Methods to be a WAG.” Some followers additionally do not like that Machado Garry employed his spouse’s ex-husband, and the daddy of Machado Garry’s step-child, to be his nutritionist. The entire fan response has been weird.

Machado Garry has all of the instruments. He is a handsome and charismatic child who might not have discovered his full voice but in interviews. He is additionally a wonderful fighter and somebody who, at his age, initiatives to be on the prime of the UFC welterweight division for a very long time. But, he has all this criticism from followers, some deserved and most not. Seeing how he offers with all of it transferring ahead shall be attention-grabbing. It’s miles extra unfavorable noise than a typical prospect on the rise has to take care of.

What needs to be subsequent: Colby Covington

Okamoto: That is the one, one hundred pc. A million %. Machado Garry has all the time executed a superb job of getting a plan in place the second a battle is over, and he is been constructing this one for some time. Whether or not actual or pretend, the perceived stage of animosity between these two can be extraordinarily excessive. Neither of them may be very in style proper now when it comes to followers eager to see them win. However they’re in style in that they’re constantly within the headlines. You place them collectively, and that is going to extend tenfold. Followers will care about this matchup, and for those who’re the UFC, you are giving a man on the rise (Machado Garry) a chance to construct his model off a man who appears to be (in response to his final battle) on the decline.

Wildcard: Vicente Luque

If they cannot persuade Covington to take the battle, my guess is that they’ll return to the Luque matchup, which was purported to occur in December till Machado Garry bought sick throughout battle week. Luque has since booked one other battle in opposition to Joaquin Buckley in March. If he wins that one, then rebook this. However man, Covington makes a lot extra sense. I hope it occurs.

The Rise of The Machine: What’s subsequent for Merab Dvalishvili?

Wagenheim: Merab Dvalishvili retains getting higher.

I am not referring to an evolution in his profession, though he has gained 10 in a row after dropping his first two UFC outings. No, I am speaking about Dvalishvili’s potential to lift his stage whereas in a battle. After Henry Cejudo bought off to a quick begin, Dvalishvili stored coming and coming, undeterred. He progressively wore down his older opponent and seized whole management.

And whereas Dvalishvili initially veered away from his regular wrestling-heavy technique, which made sense whereas in with a one-time Olympic gold medalist wrestler, he ultimately bought his grappling sport going, and Cejudo couldn’t gradual him down. Dvalishvili was profitable on 5 of his 11 takedown tries, and with the battle hanging within the stability in Spherical 3, he spent about half of the decisive 5 minutes in management on the bottom or in clinches.

The victory all however definitely earned Dvalishvili a date within the Octagon with the winner of subsequent month’s title bout between Sean O’Malley and Marlon Vera. “Suga Sean” was watching from cageside, and his takeaway needed to be that if he can not harm Dvalishvili whereas they’re on the toes, he will be in for a foul evening as soon as Dvalishvili takes him to his world.

What Must be Subsequent: Winner of O’Malley vs. Vera at UFC 299

Okamoto: UFC commentator Joe Rogan advised Dvalishvili contained in the Octagon that he would get the winner, which was a bit stunning, if I am being trustworthy. Not as a result of Dvalishvili should not be subsequent, however the UFC sometimes would not wish to make issues official so shortly after a battle. It definitely makes all of the sense on the earth for Dvalishvili to be subsequent. He is gained eight in a row, together with three straight over former champions. He is been dominant throughout that run, and appears like a legitimately nightmare matchup for anybody within the division. Cejudo regarded good early on this three-round battle, so I am not prepared to say Dvalishvili needs to be favored over anybody within the division, however that is perhaps the truth after Saturday. I do suppose he’ll get his shot subsequent.

Wildcard: Cory Sandhagen

How will you not really feel for Sandhagen? He is executed all that is requested of him after which some. He beat “Chito” Vera not way back, and subsequent month, he’ll have to observe Vera battle for a UFC championship. He was prepared to face Umar Nurmagomedov final yr when nobody else within the division needed to take action. I do not see Sandhagen ready round for 2 extra title fights to get his shot, so I think about he’ll take one other battle later this yr. Nevertheless, relying on what occurs on the prime, if there’s any delay in Dvalishvili getting a title shot, the UFC would in all probability guide this battle as an official No. 1 contender bout.

Okamoto: What needs to be subsequent for Topuria and Whittaker after UFC 298?

play

Robert Whittaker outlasts Paulo Costa in thriller

Robert Whittaker wins by way of unanimous choice over a really powerful Paulo Costa within the co-main occasion of UFC 298.

Ilia Topuria, featherweight champion

What needs to be subsequent: Max Holloway

Because of this the reserving of Holloway vs. Justin Gaethje for UFC 300 was superior, but additionally puzzling, in a way. Topuria vs. Holloway is definitely the battle to make. It is the battle that has to occur. However now, there’s a vital hiccup, as a result of Holloway has an enormous battle booked at a better weight class. This battle needs to be the dialog proper now. I am not crying about it as a result of Holloway needed the Gaethje battle, and he advised me he wouldn’t remorse the choice, even when Topuria did win, and he basically risked a title battle to have the BMF battle. This is not a foul scenario, however a greater one would have been having Holloway prepared for Topuria. We’ll see if this nonetheless occurs anyway … UFC 300 may have a serious influence on what occurs at 145 kilos.

Wildcard: Winner of Yair Rodriguez vs. Brian Ortega subsequent week

The timing could not be higher, clearly. That is an enormous battle subsequent weekend in Mexico Metropolis, and the UFC might simply begin selling it as a No. 1 contender battle.

Robert Whittaker, middleweight

What needs to be subsequent: Khamzat Chimaev I feel Chimaev ought to get a UFC title shot. I do know I am perhaps within the minority on that, however at this level, it feels just like the Chimaev saga has been occurring endlessly, and I am able to see his true potential. Let’s discover out the place the man is. That mentioned, there’s a lot to choose via on the prime of middleweight proper now. Dricus Du Plessis must battle Israel Adesanya and he must battle Sean Strickland once more. Adesanya and Strickland have to battle once more. These are all fights that have to occur for us to have an actual sense of readability on the prime. Sadly for Whittaker, he is the odd man out of these matchups. So, what else is there? There’s not a lot else that actually seems to be thrilling. What feels proper for a fighter with Whittaker’s resume? Chimaev — would make sense and really feel thrilling.

Wildcard: Brendan Allen If Allen beats Marvin Vettori in a UFC Struggle Evening major occasion in April, there shall be numerous momentum behind him, and he’ll be deserving of a transfer up the rankings. Having Whittaker defend his spot in line in opposition to a surging contender like that might be a superb transfer.