What was most important at UFC 298 at Honda Center in Anaheim, California? Here are a few thoughts after the fights…
Henry Cejudo (16-4 MMA, 10-4 UFC) ended his career in May 2020 in a unique way. Two UFC championships. An Olympic gold medal. It was a special exit from the sport, even though many believed it was premature.
However, looking at him now is different. After taking three years off, he returned to lose a split decision to then-champion Aljamain Sterling in May, and then suffered a unanimous decision defeat to Merab Dvalishvili, potentially signaling the end of his career.
Cejudo stated that this fight was “all or nothing” and that he would retire with a loss. He took off his gloves and left the octagon, suggesting that this might be the end for him.
This 0-2 record will not reflect well on him in the history books. Despite being a legend and one of only nine fighters to hold titles in two divisions, he will likely be ranked lower among his peers if this truly is the end of his career.
It’s time for a change. Regardless of the outcome of the Sean O’Malley vs. Marlon Vera fight at UFC 299 next month, Merab Dvalishvili (17-4 MMA, 10-2 UFC) deserves a shot at the belt-holder. He dominated Cejudo in a way no one else has at bantamweight, securing a unanimous decision with big strikes, takedowns, and submission attempts. Anything other than a title fight for Dvalishvili would be a disgrace.
No further explanation is needed.
Ian Machado Garry (14-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) did nothing to win back the fans with his lackluster performance against Geoff Neal. He barely escaped with a split decision victory.
Despite being undefeated, Garry has become one of the most disliked fighters in MMA. This is largely due to his own actions, which he embraces. Did this bias affect the judgment of those watching the fight, leading them to believe he shouldn’t have won? It’s possible.
The fight was close, almost a toss-up. Neither fighter did much over the course of 15 minutes, so there’s no point in complaining about the decision. Both Neal and Garry could have done more.
Garry’s polarizing presence will lead to bigger opportunities in the future. Will Colby Covington accept a fight against him? Only time will tell, but Garry will likely face another well-known opponent in the welterweight division.
The worst nightmare of Alexander Volkanovski (26-4 MMA, 13-3 UFC) fans came true when he was knocked out by Ilia Topuria, ending his reign as featherweight champion.
The main question leading up to the fight was whether Volkanovski was making a mistake by returning just four months after his loss to Islam Makhachev. Volkanovski dismissed these concerns, but doubts about his durability remained due to the quick turnaround.
To his credit, Volkanovski refused to use this as an excuse for his loss. He admitted that the punch from Topuria would have knocked him out regardless of how much time he had taken off. However, this doesn’t stop others from speculating.
Taking more time off might have been beneficial for Volkanovski, but maybe he’s right. We will never know for sure, but it does cast doubt on his future. Volkanovski demanded an immediate rematch with Topuria, but if and when that happens, he will be older and potentially less successful, while Topuria will have even more confidence.
If Volkanovski manages to reclaim the belt, it would be a remarkable achievement in a career filled with accomplishments. However, the odds seem to be against him at the moment.
Ilia Topuria (15-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) proved all his pre-fight talk right by defeating Volkanovski and becoming the fifth undisputed featherweight champion in UFC history.
Topuria’s confidence and bold claims leading up to the fight were unprecedented in the featherweight division. He clearly knew something that others didn’t, as he delivered a spectacular knockout. He now joins the ranks of the 11 undefeated male champions in UFC history.
This victory propels Topuria towards superstardom in the MMA world. The question now is whether he can continue winning and capitalize on his potential. The fact that the UFC is interested in holding an event in Spain shows that they recognize Topuria’s potential.
With his outspoken personality, stylish presentation, aggressive fighting style, and ability to attract the Latino market, Topuria is a dream champion for the UFC. The fights ahead won’t be easy, but Topuria has the world at his fingertips, and it will be exciting to see what his title reign holds.
According to the Source mmajunkie.usatoday.com