Tag: UFC 298

Robert Whittaker vows to ‘Hurt’ Paulo Costa at UFC 298: ‘I’m coming into this fight hungrier than ever’

Robert Whittaker vows to hurt Paulo Costa in UFC 298 fight I'm hungrier than everEx-middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker may have had his suspicions that his announced UFC 298 clash with former title challenger,…

Robert Whittaker vows to hurt Paulo Costa in UFC 298 fight I'm hungrier than ever

Ex-middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker may have had his suspicions that his announced UFC 298 clash with former title challenger, Paulo Costa may actually take place this time around following a February fall out last year. However, with pen now put to paper on a deal, the Australian has vowed to “hurt” Costa in their re-worked clash later this month.

Whittaker, the current number three ranked middleweight contender, has been sidelined from the Octagon since he featured on the main card of UFC 290 back in July during International Fight Week.

Suffering his first divisional loss at 185 pounds outside of his pair of defeats to former two-time titleholder, Israel Adesanya, Whittaker was stopped in the second round by newly-minted champion, Dricus du Plessis, with the South African turning in a blistering TKO in the pair’s officially-billed title eliminator.

Booking his return to the Octagon later this month on the main card of UFC 298, Whittaker takes on former title chaser, Costa in a return to Anaheim, attempting to work his way back to a potential rematch with the above-mentioned Pretoria native, du Plessis. 

Robert Whittaker promises to “hurt” Paulo Costa at UFC 298

And now with assurances his fight with Costa will take place following a failed targeted clash back in February of last year on home-soil, Whittaker claims he’s hungry for success against the Brazilian – whom he vows to “hurt” en route to a win at UFC 298.

“I’m coming into this fight [at UFC 298] hungrier than ever,” Robert Whittaker assembled media during a press conference in Syndey ahead of UFC 298.. “I’ve been really focusing on bringing that animal back. I’m not just in it – this fight, to win. I’m in it to hurt (Paulo) Costa. And I think that mentality is a powerful thing to have.” 

Who wins between Robert Whittaker and Paulo Costa at UFC 298 this month?

Henry Cejudo likely to retire with a loss against Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 298: ‘It’s all or nothing, man’

Henry CejudoIt’s all or nothing for Henry Cejudo at UFC 298. Nine months after failing to reclaim the bantamweight title…

Henry Cejudo

It’s all or nothing for Henry Cejudo at UFC 298.

Nine months after failing to reclaim the bantamweight title in his return to the Octagon, ‘Triple C’ will look to score himself another shot at UFC gold on February 17. But to do so, he has to go through one of the most feared fighters at 135, Merab Dvalishvili.

With a win, Cejudo sees his next fight being against the winner of UFC 299’s showdown between bantamweight titleholder Sean O’Malley and Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera. But a loss against ‘The Machine’ will likely send the Olympic gold medalist into retirement for the second and final time.

“This is for the No. 1 contender spot,” Cejudo told The HJR Experiment. “I think to have to lose it to Aljamain … I think if I was going to go maybe down the ladder, I would probably be done with fighting again because it’s just like the sport is hard, man. Training camps, having two kids, and things like that. … It’s all or nothing, man.”

Henry Cejudo Says Fighting Is Not Always About The Love of the Sport

Cejudo currently occupies the No. 3 spot in the bantamweight rankings, one behind Dvalishivili and two under former division champ Aljamain Sterling. With the ‘Funk Master’ making the move to featherweight later this year, he’s expected to relinquish his spot at the top.

‘Triple C’ returned at UFC 288 last year, challenging Sterling for the 135-pound crown. Cejudo came up short, losing on two of the three judges’ scorecards.

“It’s more of a motivation of vengeance,” Cejudo continued. “It’s not always the love. Even coming back to the sport, I was like, ‘I want to test myself.’ I like the matchup. It has been three years, but it was also the financial compensation. I mean, there’s nothing easier to make money than the fight game” (h/t MMA Mania).

Henry Cejudo diagnosed with ‘brain damage’ ahead of UFC 298 return: ‘Dr. Merab will fix this problem’

Dr. Merab DvalishviliMove over Dr. Quinn, Dr. Nick, and Doogie Howser. We’ve got a new M.D. running things and his name…

Dr. Merab Dvalishvili

Move over Dr. Quinn, Dr. Nick, and Doogie Howser. We’ve got a new M.D. running things and his name is Dr. Merab.

Riding a nine-fight win streak, Merab Dvalishvili will head to Anaheim, California on February 17 looking for his 10th win in a row and a long-awaited shot at the bantamweight world championship. Standing in his way at UFC 298 will be former two-division titleholder Henry Cejudo. ‘Triple C’ enters the bout determined to bounce back from a failed attempt to dethrone then-champion Aljamain Sterling in May.

Ahead of their potential title eliminator, Dvalishvili delivered a clever bit of trash talk via a post on Instagram. Morphing into a whole new persona, Dr. Merab, ‘The Machine’ poked fun at the bantamweight division’s top 10 while suggesting that his next opponent is suffering from an accute case of brain damage.

“Hey Henry Cejudo, what are you talking about me? Don’t think I forgot about you,” Dvalishvili said on social media. “Brain damage. We have a result from hospital. Henry Cejudo has longer tongue than himself. But no worries, Dr. Merab will fix this problem on February 17th. See you there Henry!”

Multiple fighters, including Aljamain Sterling, were highly entertained by Dvalishvili’s hilarious dig at Cejudo and much of the 135-pound weight class. “Lmaooo brooo! This is too good!” Sterling commented. Paulo Costa posted a series of laughing-out-loud emojis in response while MMA interviewer Nina Drama wrote, “Merab is the FUNNIEST fighter in all of MMA.

Merab Dvalishvili currently sits in the No. 2 spot in the bantamweight rankings, one above Henry Cejudo. With a win over ‘Triple C,’ he will likely punch his ticket to a title fight with the winner of UFC 299’s title clash between defending champ Sean O’Malley and Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera.

Alexander Volkanovski moves as bigger betting favorite to beat Ilia Topuria in championship fight at UFC 298

Alexander Volkanovski closing as bigger betting favorite to beat Ilia Topuria at UFC 298Undisputed featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski continues to sit as a betting favorite to beat incoming title chaser, unbeaten foe,…

Alexander Volkanovski closing as bigger betting favorite to beat Ilia Topuria at UFC 298

Undisputed featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski continues to sit as a betting favorite to beat incoming title chaser, unbeaten foe, Ilia Topuria at UFC 298 next month – with the Australian moving as bigger betting favorite as the day’s countdown to his championship return.

Volkanovski, the current undisputed featherweight champion, makes his return to the Octagon at UFC 298 next month in Anaheim, California, returning to the 145 pound limit in a title fight defense against Georgian challenger, Topuria.

Sidelined since October of last year, Alexander Volkanovski suffered a thunderous opening round high-kick and strikes KO loss to Islam Makhachev in the pair’s championship rematch at UFC 294 on short-notice.

As for Topuria, the surging undefeated contender earned his premier title tilt since moving to the UFC back in August in a main event bout with former interim title challenger, Josh Emmett, landing a one-sided unanimous decision win over the Phoenix knockout artist.

Alexander Volkanovski betting favorite to win at UFC 298

And despite his massive knockout loss to two-time opponent, Makhachev at UFC 294 just months ago – in tandem with a quickfire turnaround in Anaheim, Volkanovski continues to drift as a decent betting favorite at -142 to beat the +120 betting underdog, Topuria – in his return to the featherweight limit.

With fans in Oceania set to tune in in their masses to watch fan-favorite New South Wales technician, Alexander Volkanovski take on Topuria at UFC 298, fans and bettors can avail of many free $50 pokies no deposit sign up bonus Australia ahead of the bout and even on fight night – in what promises to be one of the most high-profile cards of the year. 

Headlining UFC 284 back in February of last year in a lightweight championship siege on home soil in Australia, Volkanovski suffered a close, unanimous decision loss to pound-for-pound number one, Makhachev in the pair’s massive title clash. The defeat came as Alexander Volkanovski’s first in the promotion.

Returning to the featherweight limit in between his high-kick knockout loss to Makhachev, Volkanovski headlined UFC 290 back in July during International Fight Week, successfully unifying the featherweight titles with a fourth round TKO win over then-interim champion, Yair Rodríguez in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

Since his Octagon tenure began four years ago, Topuria has turned in six consecutive victories, landing other notable triumphs against the likes of Jai Herbert – with a massive second round KO, as well as a submission win over The Ultimate Fighter alum, Bryce Mitchell in another pay-per-view clash. 

Amongst Alexander Volkanovski’s title fight defense against Topuria at UFC 298, the card also features a slew of high-profile bouts, including a massive co-main event at the bantamweight limit as former two-division champion, Henry Cejudo takes on surging contender, Merab Dvalishvili in an expected title-eliminator at the 135 pound limit. 

Also worth keeping an eye on for Australian fans, former undisputed middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker makes his long-anticipated return to the Octagon for the first time since July – hoping to finally secure a long-speculated fight against former title chaser, Paulo Costa in a main card clash at UFC 298. 

Yair Rodríguez eyes title fight showdown with Ilia Topuria ahead of UFC Mexico City return: ‘He said I looked like a rag’

Yair Rodriguez eyes title fight showdown with Ilia Topuria after UFC 298 he said I looked like a ragFormer interim featherweight champion, Yair Rodríguez hs sights set on a rematch with incoming title challenger, Ilia Topuria after…

Yair Rodriguez eyes title fight showdown with Ilia Topuria after UFC 298 he said I looked like a rag

Former interim featherweight champion, Yair Rodríguez hs sights set on a rematch with incoming title challenger, Ilia Topuria after their respective outings at UFC Mexico City and UFC 298 next month – claiming he will “catch” the Georgian if they share the Octagon together. 

Rodríguez, who makes his return to the Octagon at UFC Fight Night Mexico City in late February, taking on former title challenger, Brian Ortega in a rematch of their one round clash back in 2022 at UFC Fight Night Long Island.

As for Topuria, the unbeaten Georgian contender is in the midst of a stunning winning rise through the featherweight ranks, and is slated to headline UFC 298 next month to boot, taking on soon-to-be common-foe, undisputed featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski in the pair’s grudge title fight. 

Yair Rodríguez eyes title showdown with Ilia Topuria

And searching for a future title fight with Topuria should he emerge with a win over Volkanovski at UFC 298 next month, Chihuahua native, Rodríguez reveals he wants to fight the former in the future, taking umbrage with comments made on his July title fight performance against Volkanovski last summer.

“The one who started to provoke was Ilia (Topuria), he said that I looked like a rag [against Alexander Volkanovski],” Yair Rodríguez told ESPN Deportes. “I said let’s see who catches you and see who the rag is. Maybe it’s not time, I found the video and it’s energy seemed so similar to me, pretending to do something that wants to demonstrate a facet of security. But it doesn’t deceive me with everything it says.” 

First taking on the above-mentioned Californian, Ortega back in the summer of 2022, Rodríguez landed a first round TKO win over the former, who suffered a shoulder injury during an early grappling exchange with Rodríguez. 

Who wins in a future title fight: Yair Rodríguez or Ilia Topuria?

Tatiana Suarez addresses exit from UFC 298 fighting return through injury: ‘I won’t be out for long, a minor setback’

Tatiana Suarez addresses withdrawal from UFC 298 fight through injury I won't be out for longUnbeaten strawweight divisional contender, Tatiana Suarez has claimed her most recent setback which has forced her from a UFC…

Tatiana Suarez addresses withdrawal from UFC 298 fight through injury I won't be out for long

Unbeaten strawweight divisional contender, Tatiana Suarez has claimed her most recent setback which has forced her from a UFC 298 return against former title challenger, Amanda Lemos is only minor, as she looks to return to training and competition in a matter of a few months.

Suarez, the current number three ranked strawweight contender, enjoyed a blistering run in her return to the Octagon last year for the first time since 2019, wrapping up a pair of eye-catching submission wins.

Most recently featuring at UFC Fight Night Nashville back in August of last year, Suarez turned in her tenth consecutive victory, stopping former division champon, Jessica Andrade in her return to the strawweight limit.

And booked to make her return in a potential title-eliminator against most recent championship challenger, Lemos at UFC 298 in February, Suarez was forced to withdraw from the bout with the Brazilian finisher, with grappling ace, Mackenzie Dern replacing the Californian on short-notice.

Tatiana Suarez expecting quickfire return

Providing an update on her injury and setback from a return at UFC 298 in Anaheim, Suarez reassured her followers that this setback was only a “minor” one.

“I’m making this post because I know there are many people who support me that are concerned,” Tatiana Suarez posted on her official Instagram account. “I won’t be out for long. A minor setback. I asked to postpone just a few weeks so I could heal up and train. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. Sometimes it’s just not meant to be. I apologize to @amandalemos_ufc some things are just out of our control. Injuries happen it’s part of the game. I’m thankful it’s not something that will keep me out for an extended amount of time.”

“All I can do now is focus on the things I can control and that’s stay on the grind,” Tatiana Suarez continued. “Mentally focused and continously learning and evolving. Doing what I can and striving for greatness every day. Even if that’s a lift, a mitt session or simply watching film. I’ll continue to make my run this year. 2024. Thank you for your support.” 

What’s next for Tatiana Suarez following her exit from UFC 298?