After a lackluster start to the year, fans will be thrilled with the action-packed fight card that FC 298 brings to Anaheim, California on Saturday night. In the main event, champion Alexander Volkanovski will try to defeat Ilia Topuria, his most recent opponent, to win the featherweight belt. Incredibly, Volkanovski has maintained the championship for more than four years after losing two bouts against lightweight champion Islam Makhachev.
Volkanovski hasn't faced this level of uncertainty for a featherweight championship defense in a long time. Before visiting the Honda Center in Anaheim, Volkanovski is a small favorite in the betting. Though some believe him to be the best featherweight in MMA, it's a close call since he's up against one of the fastest-rising talents in the division. Topuria is a formidable featherweight fighter who has won 14 straight bouts by knockout. Even from that distance, damage is certain. Just ask Josh Emmett, against whom Topuria earned his championship shot with an unbelievable 50-42 scoreline. The fact that Volkanovski recovered quite quickly from Makhachev's October head kick further heightens worries.