Complete UFC predictions for UFC 298, including big wins for Ilia Topuria and Henry Cejudo

Credit: David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports

Get a round of bold UFC predictions for the promotion’s next card, UFC 298, this Saturday night.

This weekend, the MMA world leader returns to pay-per-view, and California, for a rock-solid card led by a title fight. In the UFC 298 main event, featherweight king Alexander Volkanovski looks to defend his belt for a sixth straight time against the top young star in the division, Ilia Topuria. The fight could be a huge change of the guard moment after “The Great” has sat atop the weight-class mountain for four years.

In the night’s co-main event, former middleweight king Robert Whittaker looks to bounce back from a shocking upset loss in July when he faces former title challenger and power puncher Paulo Costa. The pair have been stars of the division over the last five years yet have never faced off.

The card from inside the Honda Center will also feature the return of former two-division champ Henry Cejudo, Irish super prospect Ian Garry, and women’s strawweight stars Amanda Lemos and Mackenzie Dern. With that in mind, let’s make some bold UFC predictions for this weekend’s card.

Bold UFC predictions for UFC 298

Alexander Volkanovski (26-3) vs. Ilia Topuria (14-0)

Volkanovski vs. Topuria is a fascinating matchup. Both have risen to the top of the division by being impressively well-rounded fighters. Yet there are big differences between the two that center on experience. For as good as Topuria is, his resume still isn’t at the level of the Australian’s. But on the flip side, the Spaniard is nearly a decade younger and has 15 fewer fights on his body.

This very much feels like what we have seen with many other legendary fighters where time eventually helps the division catch up. Volkanovski has shown signs of being human in recent bouts and time catches up to every legend. “El Matador” is hungry, confident, and seems on the type of run we expect to end with a belt around his waist on Saturday.

While Volkanovksi will be strong early, look for Topuria to test the wear on his opponent’s chin and eventually find a weakness in it during the later rounds.

UFC 298 odds: Alexander Volkanovski (-125) vs. Ilia Topuria (+105)
Prediction: Topuria by TKO, Round 4

Robert Whittaker (24-7) vs. Paulo Costa (14-2)

This is a big fight for Robert Whittaker. If he wants to stay among the elites at middleweight, he really needs to win his matchup against Paulo Costa at UFC 298. While he is still in prime years he has a lot of wear and tear on his 33-year-old body. That’s why this fight is a line-in-the-sand moment where he must prove he can compete at a high level or quickly see his relevancy disappear.

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Fortunately for Whittaker, for as dangerous as Costa is, this is still a good matchup for the Australian. He is better technically and has the fight IQ where he should be able to keep his distance, break the Brazilian down, and even land some takedowns. There may be a scare at one point but look for Whittaker to push his foe to his limit and finish him late.

Odds: Robert Whittaker (-238) vs. Paulo Costa (+195)
UFC Prediction: Whittaker by TKO, Round 3

Ian Garry (13-0) vs. Geoff Neal (15-5)

Following a dominant win over Neil Magny in his last fight, Irish prospect Ian Garry is back and gets another big test on Saturday in power puncher Geoff Neal. MMA math says it should be easy work for Garry since Magny has a win over Neal. However, the American is a very live underdog this weekend.

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“Handz of Steel” is a talented striker who is often underestimated and has one-punch power Garry has rarely faced. This fight could easily end in a shocking finish for the underdog. However, expect Garry to use his size and varied striking style to get the victory, but barely.

Odds: Ian Garry (-230) vs. Geoff Neal (+190)
UFC Prediction: Garry by split decision

Merab Dvalishvili (16-4) vs. Henry Cejudo (16-3)

If Henry Cejudo wants to be a champion again in the UFC, he has to beat Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 298. There are no ands ifs or buts about it. If the Olympic gold medalist lost two straight after a three-year retirement it would destroy the value he could claim he had and make the promotion far less likely to put him in matchups that could lead to title opportunities.

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Unfortunately, it will be very difficult and he is an underdog for good reason. The Georgian may not be as gifted as his teammate Aljamain Sterling — who beat Cejudo in May — but his relentless style and endless cardio-driven wrestling is a serious weapon.

However, Cejudo is such a smart fighter and elite grappler in his own right. Look for Dvalishvili to choreograph a takedown that “Triple C” sees in advance and lands a fight-ending strike in the final round.

Odds: Merab Dvalishvili (-238) vs. Henry Cejudo (+195)
UFC Prediction: Cejudo by TKO, Round 3

Complete UFC 298 fight card predictions

Main Card

Alexander Volkanovski (-125) vs. Ilia Topuria (+105) – Topuria by TKO, Round 4
Robert Whittaker (-238) vs. Paulo Costa (+195) – Whittaker by TKO, Round 3
Ian Garry (-230) vs. Geoff Neal (+190) – Garry by split decision
Merab Dvalishvili (-238) vs. Henry Cejudo (+195) – Cejudo by TKO, Round 3
Anthony Hernandez (-245) vs. Roman Kopylov (+200) – Hernandez by unanimous decision

Preliminary Card

Mackenzie Dern (+114) vs. Amanda Lemos (-135) – Lemos by unanimous decision
Marcos Rogério de Lima (-148) vs. Justin Tafa (+124) – de Lima by TKO, Round 2
Rinya Nakamura (-1350) vs. Carlos Vera (+800) – Nakamura by KO, Round 1
Mingyang Zhang (-122) vs. Brendson Ribeiro (+102) – Ribeiro by unanimous decisions
Danny Barlow (-205) vs. Josh Quinlan (+170) – Barlow by TKO, Round 1
Val Woodburn (+260) vs. Oban Elliott (-325) – Elliott by unanimous decision
Andrea Lee (+154) vs. Miranda Maverick (-185) – Maverick by unanimous decision