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Boxing Alexander Volkanovski vs Ilia Topuria Picks and Prediction, Odds, Stats, Betting Preview
Alex Volkanovski takes on Ilia Topuria this weekend at UFC 298 hoping to make his 6th title defence in the Featherweight division. Volkanovski opened as a 1.53-odds favourite at most commercial bookmakers, but they are now priced at even-money odds, and William Hill even giving Topuria an edge at 1.80 odds.
Our Volkanovski vs Topuria Prediction for UFC 298 is for Topuria to become the new featherweight champion.
In this article
- Volkanovski vs Topuria Picks & Prediction
- Volkanovski vs Topuria Odds
- Alexander Volkanovski Record, Stats, Form, Key to Success
- Ilia Topuria Record, Stats, Form, Key to Success
- Safer Gambling
Volkanovski vs Topuria Picks & Prediction
I don’t like this spot for Alexander Volkanovski right now and it’s not just because of the TKO loss a few months ago. He is 35, he has been a champion for a long time and it just seems that he is already thinking about moving up in weight.
He is a smart fighter and I expect his gameplan to try and disrupt Topuria’s biggest strength – his boxing. A mix of low kicks, takedown attempts from the clinch against the cage, and ground-and-pound is what I expect to see. However, that might be a lot more difficult than it sounds.
Topuria is very good at moving around the octagon and stuffing takedowns and the only time he has been taken down in the UFC – he got right back up to his feet. Topuria is young, fast, and sharp and we have seen in his latest bout that he can go 5 rounds without breaking a sweat.
I don’t like the dropping odds on him, and I’m looking to back him before they get even lower. Topuria to win – Moneyline.
- Selection: Topuria to Win
- Best Odds: 2.12
- Bookmaker: Unibet
- Stake: 6/10
Odds available as of February 14th 2024. odds may now differ.
Volkanovski vs Topuria Odds
Moneyline
| Bet365 | Unibet | William Hill | Pinnacle | 1xBet | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volkanovski | 1.91 | 1.83 | 2.00 | 1.81 | 1.81 |
| Topuria | 1.91 | 1.98 | 1.80 | 2.07 | 2.02 |
Over/Under 4.5 Rounds
| 4.5 Rounds | Bet365 | Unibet |
|---|---|---|
| Over | 2.15 | 2.15 |
| Under | 1.65 | 1.65 |
To go the Distance
| Bet365 Odds | |
|---|---|
| Yes | 2.30 |
| No | 1.57 |
Method of Victory
| Volkanovski by Decision | 3.75 |
| Volkanovski by KO/TKO/DQ | 4.00 |
| Volkanovski by Submission | 15.00 |
| Topuria by Decision | 5.25 |
| Topuria by KO/TKO/DQ | 4.50 |
| Topuria by Submission | 5.50 |
| Draw | 81.00 |
Alexander Volkanovski Record, Stats, Form, Key to Success
Alexander Volkanovski is coming off a brutal head-kick KO loss against Islam Makhachev in October, and he is already making his way back to the octagon to defend the Featherweight title.
He is 3-2 since April 2022 and both of his defeats were at the hands of Islam Makhachev. The first one was a unanimous decision loss that arguably could have gone his way, while the second was him coming off the couch on a few weeks’ notice and being unprepared.
Between these 2 bouts, Volk came back down to defend the Featherweight belt against Yair Rodriguez and won spectacularly via TKO. This was surprising, to say the least, especially since the majority of his UFC victories were by decision.
Volkanovski now stands at 26-3 in his MMA career, holding 13 KO/TKO wins, 3 submissions and 10 by decisions. 1 of his losses was by decision and 2 were by KO/TKO. He is the greatest Featherweight in the history of the division, defending the title 5 times so far at age 35.
His key to success in this one will be avoiding boxing at all costs. Topuria is younger, faster, has a good chin and his timing is near perfect. Boxing is by far his best tool in the octagon, and Volk needs to turn this into anything but a boxing match.
His UFC stats are listed in the table below:
| Alexander Volkanovski UFC STATS | |
|---|---|
| Strikes Landed Per Minute: | 6.19 |
| Striking Accuracy: | 57% |
| Strikes Absorbed Per Minute: | 3.42 |
| Striking Defence: | 58% |
| Takedown Average: | 1.84 |
| Takedown Accuracy: | 37% |
| Takedown Defence: | 70% |
| Submission Average: | 0.2 |
Ilia Topuria Record, Stats, Form, Key to Success
Ilia Topuria is the 3rd-ranked fighter in the UFC featherweight division right now, and frankly, the most dangerous fighter in the division. He has been on fire since joining the UFC, winning 4 of his 6 bouts via finish and 2 by decision.
Topuria is coming off a stellar performance against the division’s gatekeeper Josh Emmett, where the young bull dominated the entire fight and avoided taking any crucial damage against a dangerous knockout artist.
It’s very difficult to find holes in the game of Ilia Topuria. His boxing is elite, his striking defence is solid, he moves very well and his takedown defence is at 92%. He has only been taken down once in his UFC career against Bryce Mitchell and he got right back to his feet. Ironically, he ended up submitting Mitchell, a submission specialist, in the second round.
Topuria now holds an MMA record of 14 wins and 0 losses. 4 of his wins were by KO/TKO, 8 by submission and 2 by decision.
He is now facing a much better and more experienced fighter than anyone he has faced so far. He has to adjust his leg position compared to the Emmett fight. Volkanovski throws low leg kicks. This, as well as timing with his boxing combinations will be the key to success here. As good as Volk is, he does leave himself open when entering the pocket, and Topuria must take advantage.
| Ilia Topuria UFC STATS | |
|---|---|
| Strikes Landed Per Minute: | 4.44 |
| Striking Accuracy: | 46% |
| Strikes Absorbed Per Minute: | 3.05 |
| Striking Defence: | 67% |
| Takedown Average: | 2.19 |
| Takedown Accuracy: | 56% |
| Takedown Defence: | 92% |
| Submission Average: | 1.5 |
SAFER GAMBLING
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