Unbeaten American fighter Danny Barlow shocked the world at UFC 298 in Anaheim, California. Despite suffering a broken arm, Barlow delivered a knockout blow to Josh Quinlan on Saturday, February 17. The welterweight match between Barlow and Quinlan was a highlight of the night, captivating audiences on ESPN+ and UFC Fight Pass. Barlow’s debut in the UFC after graduating from Dana White’s Contender Series in 2023 was one for the books.
Barlow’s relentless assault left Quinlan battered and bruised. With powerful punches from every angle, Barlow sent Quinlan flying across the canvas. Refusing to give his opponent any respite, Barlow continued to rain down fists from top position. Quinlan struggled to regain his footing, constantly being knocked back to the ground by Barlow’s relentless attacks.
Despite Quinlan’s attempts to stand up, the fierce action proved too much for him. With one final left hook, Barlow sealed the victory, forcing the referee to intervene. It was a moment of triumph for Barlow, showcasing his determination and skill.
Witness the incredible finish of Barlow’s unforgettable fight here:
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By the end of the fight, Quinlan’s face was a bloody mess. Despite the damage inflicted by Barlow, it came at a cost. “I broke my arm in the first round,” he said. “It’s good, though,” Barlow added. “We got the job done.”
With the win, Barlow advanced his pro MMA record to eight wins (five knockouts, one submission, and two decisions). He remains undefeated. Though Barlow showed extraordinary heart to secure his win despite a broken bone, he missed out on a performance-related bonus.
Instead, Anthony Hernandez, Zhang Mingyang, and Ilia Topuria earned $50,000 for their respective wins, and Amanda Lemos and Mackenzie Dern both gained an extra $50,000 for their fight of the night on the preliminary card.
Topuria’s win was arguably the most impressive because it ended Alexander Volkanovski’s reign as the UFC’s featherweight champion. The Spaniard was self-assured heading into the showdown and knocked Volkanovski unconscious in the middle of a combination. Topuria finished Volkanovski in the second round to make a statement of his own, and then called out the former two-weight UFC champion Conor McGregor for good measure. “Conor McGregor, if you still have some balls, I will be waiting for you,” Topuria said on the ESPN broadcast after the official confirmation of his win.
And finally, Paulo Costa landed one of the best head kicks you’ll see when he bounced his heel off of Robert Whittaker’s face in the first round of their middleweight match at UFC 298. The strike, though, failed to drop Whittaker, who rallied to win a decision. “He’s a tough dude,” Whittaker said on the ESPN broadcast of his opponent.
UFC heads to Mexico City next for a Fight Night event on February 24, before returning to Las Vegas the following week.
According to the Source heavy.com