Ilia Topuria seized the featherweight title from Alexander Volkanovski in brutal fashion tonight at UFC 298 via knockout in the second round.
Round One:
The featherweight title headliner is underway in Anaheim!
Head kick attempt from Volkanovski to start but it’s blocked. Now a solid body kick from him and one to the inside of the leg too.
Another body kick for Volkanovski as he circles on the outside. Inside leg kick for him and a nice counter punch from Topuria.
More low kicks from Volkanovski. He tries a head kick again that’s blocked. Topuria staying calm as he applies pressure but doesn’t return fire.
Yet more kicks from Volkanovski, but then a powerful low kick from Topuria that almost knocked Volkanovski off-balance. Another hard low kick for the challenger.
Fast right hand from Topuria gets through. jab from Volkanovski who is already dealing with damage to his lead calf.
Calf kick for Volkanovski. A light body kick. Quick jabs from Volkanovski. Now a flurry from Topuria and a few of them got through as the champ was backing off.
Mid-kick off the arms from Volkanovski. Jab for Volkanovski and then a low kick. He lands it again and they are starting to be a problem for Topuria.
Volkanovski with an inside low kick. Into the clinch and a few knees from the champ. Back to striking range. Final 10 seconds. Missed high kick attempt from Volkanovski. Topuria remaining patient.
Round Two:
left hand from Topuria. Jab for Volkanovski. Another jab for him on the outside. Topuria constantly taking the center of the octagon but still not upping his work rate just yet.
Jab to the body for Topuria. Now a fast two-piece combo for him. He clinches up and rips to the body, then back up.
Jab for Volkanovski. He works behind the jab, feeding it out while circling. Another couple of jabs land. Topuria with a right hand over the top.
Low kick for Topuria. Crisp jab from Volkanovski after Topuria landed his own. Volkanovski lands the jab again. Glancing right hook from Volkanovski.
Low kick for Topuria. He lands a jab too. Double-jab for Volkanovski and gets a counter in response.
Body kick for Volkanovski. jab again for him and a fast jab in return from Topuria. Topuria unleashes a flurry, landing a left hand and then a super fast, sharp right hook to the chin that knocks Volkanovski out cold at 3.23mins of the second round!
Wow, devastating knockout from Topuria to end Volkanovski’s long reign. The UFC has an exciting new champion at 145lbs.
