Paulo borrachinha (left) facing Robert whittaker (dir.). Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
The big moment has arrived. This Saturday (17), in Anaheim (USA), the long-awaited UFC 298. With return of Paulo borrachinha highlighted, the event will be led by Alexander Volkanovsky e Ilia Topuria, who compete for the featherweight belt (up to 65,7kg.). In total, the event has 11 fights scheduled.
In the main fight, Alexander Volkanovsky returns to his category and seeks new belt defense. To remain at the top of the group, the champion needs to take away the invincibility of Ilia Topuria, who boasts an impeccable track record in 14 appearances as a professional in MMA.
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The penultimate clash marks the return of Paulo borrachinha to the octagon. Back in action after more than a season of inactivity, the Minas Gerais native faces Robert whittaker, former middleweight champion (up to 83,9kg.). A victory brings whoever triumphs closer to being a challenger.
Promise among welterweights (up to 77,1kg.), Ian Gary makes his first commitment in the 2024 season. Rising in the division, the Irishman will face forces with Geoff neal.
Besides Paulo borrachinha, four more Brazilians make up the card. In the first half of the event, Amanda lemos, Mackenzie dern, Marcos Foot e Brendson Ribeiro they take the yellow-green to the octagon.
To get in the mood, the team at SUPER FIGHTS listed five reasons to follow the UFC 298. Check out:
Alex Volkanovski: the greatest in history?
A. Volkanovski (left) beats J. Aldo (right) in the UFC 237. Photo: Reproduction / Facebook @ufc
This weekend, Alexander Volkanovsky returns to featherweight months after his second unsuccessful attempt to win the lightweight belt (up to 70,3 kg.) against Islam makhachev. In the group he has led since 2019, the Australian doesn't know what it's like to lose and, if he wins, he could get closer to the legacy of José Aldo.
Today, the champion defends the mark of five belt defenses. Legend of the division, Brazilian icon collected seven triumphs as holder of the throne.
If he wins at the weekend, Volkanovski will be one positive result away from equaling Aldo's achievements.
New era in featherweight
A. Volkanovski is the UFC featherweight champion. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram UFC
Undefeated in 14 fights as a professional in MMA, Ilia Topuria is the new athlete who will have the opportunity to change the featherweight scene. The Spaniard, who has been singing victory even before the confrontation took place, guarantees that a new king will be crowned in the octagon of the UFC 298.
The longest reigning champion in the current Ultimate squad, Alexander will need to prove that, at 35 years old, he remains absolute in the group. On the other hand, the Spanish prodigy wants to open doors for the new generation.
Without knowing what it's like to lose in the category, Volkanovski took the lead in the featherweight division in 2019, when he dethroned the legendary Max Holloway. Since then, the Australian has accumulated four victories, two of which came in rematches against the Hawaiian star.
Paulo Borrachinha returns in decisive fight
In this Saturday, Paulo borrachinha completes 546 since he last competed in the octagon. In 2022, the Minas Gerais opponent was Luke Rockhold, having beaten the former middleweight leader in the judges' decision in a confrontation marked by aggressiveness between the parties.
At the weekend, the Brazilian faces, for the second time in a row, a former group champion. After two unsuccessful attempts by the UFC to organize the confrontation between the Tupiniquim and Robert whittaker, this time, it seems that the long-awaited fight will get off the ground.
Highlighted in the top 10 middleweights, Borrachinha is looking to add his second consecutive victory and continue his climb towards a new fight for the title. Hardly defeated by Dricus Du Plessis in his final performance, Whittaker wants redemption.
If the Australian wants to erase the stumble suffered in the previous fight, the Brazilian wants the opportunity to prove that he is capable of taking on the category belt. In the last two years, the group has had four different champions: Israel adesanya (twice), Alex Poatán, Sean Strickland and now Du Plessis.
Paulo Borrachinha at UFC 300
Paulo borrachinha He is a Brazilian standout in the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
In a recent interview with SUPER FIGHTS, Paulo borrachinha surprised by expressing the interest in competing in the historic UFC 300. With his eyes on a place to compete on the card confirmed for April 13th, the Minas Gerais native needs an impressive victory to convince his boss, Dana White, who will be keeping an eye on this weekend's competitors.
So far, the emblematic card does not have a confirmed main fight. In addition to Borrachinha, Alexander Volkanovsky admitted interest in taking the lead in the show.
Ultimate does not confirm or deny the possibility of casting Borrachinha or Volkanovski at the event. Dana White, however, guaranteed that the official announcement will be made at the press conference after the end of the last fight this Saturday.
More Brazil
Amanda lemos (left) and Mackenzie dern (dir.) face each other in the UFC 298. Photo: SUPER FIGHTS montage
Besides Paulo borrachinha, four athletes will represent Brazil in the octagon of UFC 298.
Moments before the miner’s presentation, Amanda lemos e Mackenzie dern divide the Tupiniquim fans. Highlights in the strawweight category (up to 52,1kg.) The athletes face each other with an eye on a future title fight.
Representative of heavy weight (up to 120,2kg.), Marcos Foot You will experience an unusual weekend. The 'giant' was close to being removed from the event when his rival, justin tafa, left the show due to an injury. The Australian's brother, however, took the position and will face the Tupiniquim on the preliminary card.
After putting on a show on 'Dana White's Contender Series' at the end of 2023 and convincing the 'big boss' to sign a contract with the UFC, the time has come for Brendson Rodrigues' debut. A promising light heavyweight (up to 93kg), the fighter will face Zhang Mingyang, who is also making his debut in the company.
UFC 298 technical sheet
Order date: February 17rd, 2023
Open Hours: From 20:30 pm (Brasília time)
Location: UFC Apex, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
How to watch: SUPER FIGHTS LIVE In real time, UFC Fight Pass (the entire card) online.
MAIN CARD (00 p.m. Brasília time)
Featherweight (up to 65,7 kg): Alexander Volkanovsky x Ilia Topuria – fight for the belt
Average weight (up to 83,9 kg): Robert whittaker x Paulo borrachinha
Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): Geoff neal x Ian Gary
Bantam weight (up to 61,2 kg): Merab Dvalishvili x Henry Cejudo
Average weight (up to 83,9 kg): anthony hernandez x Roman Kopylov
PRELIMINARY CARD (20:30 p.m., Brasília time)
Straw weight (up to 52,1 kg): Amanda lemos x Mackenzie dern
Heavy weight (up to 120,2kg): Marcos Foot x Junior Tafa
Bantam weight (up to 61,2 kg): Rinya Nakamura x Carlos Vera
Light heavyweight (up to 93 kg): Mingyang Zhang x Brendson Ribeiro
Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): Josh Quinlan x Danny Barlow
Welterweight weights (up to 77,1 kg): Oban Elliot x Valentine Woodburn
Flyweight (up to 56,7 kg): Andrea Lee x Miranda maverick
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