The card boasts its fair share of star-studded names, with matchups that may tip the scales in favor of title contention or bear the fruit of desirable opportunities for some. Nevertheless, the event makes for a thrilling night for combat sports junkies. With that, we take an exclusive look at these skilled athletes who are not only fighting for victory but also a significant climb in the Sherdog rankings.
Main event: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Ilia Topuria
The marquee attraction of UFC 298 features featherweight royalty Volkanovski attempting to reaffirm his authority in a division he has long reigned over. The Australian must be feeling slighted and carrying a grudge going into the fight against Topuria, considering how the Spaniard has disregarded the threats posed by him inside the Octagon.Volkanovski has already defended the 145-pound strap five times, making him one of the most revered champions in divisional history. Meanwhile, Topuria has left a trail of six vanquished opponents since he made his UFC debut, finishing four of those fights in spectacular fashion.
The stakes for the clash are higher since the result of the fight will have an impact on the exclusive Sherdog rankings. Currently, Volkanovski occupies the No. 3 spot in the men’s pound-for-pound rankings. Topuria, at this time, is unranked in the standings, but a victory over the longstanding champion will certainly warrant his claim at the top of the heap. Volkanovski, on the other hand, can cement his spot or perhaps climb closer to the summit with a decisive victory over a young, hungry contender. Besides that, Volkanovski and Topuria occupy the No.1 and No. 5 spot in the featherweight ranks, respectively.
Robert Whittaker vs. Paulo Costa
In a pivotal clash in the middleweight division, Whittaker and Costa lock horns with each fighter driven by their own narrative of redemption and resurgence. Whittaker, hungry to reclaim his former glory after a crushing defeat against Dricus Du Plessis, squares off against Costa, with both fighters eager to make their mark and kick-start their 2024 calendar year.Whittaker, the former 185-pound champion, occupies the No. 5 spot in the Sherdog rankings while Costa is placed at No. 9. It remains to be seen which fighter comes out on top when anticipation reaches fever pitch. Each fighter’s appetite for top competition will also have implications on Sherdog rankings with a solid performance.
Geoff Neal vs. Ian Garry
Before the co-main and main event showdowns, welterweights Neal and Garry will square off in a long-awaited clash. UFC 298 will serve as the stage for Neal to reaffirm his position in the division following a setback against Shavkat Rakhmonov. Meanwhile, Garry looks to continue his dominant 13-0 streak and silence detractors with a triumph over a crafty veteran.Neal occupies the No. 11 position in the Sherdog welterweight rankings, while Garry is still unranked. Expect Garry to break into the rankings with a victory over Neal, and the American, for his part, can climb up the ladder with an odd-defying victory over a rising contender.
Merab Dvalishvili vs. Henry Cejudo
But there’s more in store for UFC 298. In a featured bout on the main card, Dvalishvili and Cejudo collide in a high-stakes clash in the bantamweight division. Dvalishvili has surged with nine consecutive victories, which includes a dominant victory over former champ Petr Yan. Meanwhile, Cejudo, a former two-division champion who returned from retirement, seeks redemption after a close loss to Aljamain Sterling.Both fighters are ranked in the Sherdog bantamweight pecking order. Dvalishvili is ranked No. 3 while Cejudo is placed at No. 5. The impact of a sensational victory will have a ripple effect on the rankings, propelling the winner of this contest closer to the top of the mountain.
Amanda Lemos vs. Mackenzie Dern
This bout could have very well been the main event for a UFC Fight Night card. The closing show of the preliminary card pits top-ranked women’s strawweight contenders Lemos and Dern against each other. Lemos was originally slated to face Tatiana Suarez, but her opponent had to pull out because of a knee injury. Dern helped save the fight returning from a recent loss to Jessica Andrade, eager to regain momentum in the division.Sherdog women’s strawweight rankings hold Lemos in the No. 6 spot while Dern sits comfortably at No. 9. Both fighters will be eager to make their mark and a victory will reap dividends, even in the official UFC rankings.