Alexander Volkanovski vs. Ilia Topuria 2/17/24 – As the UFC gears up for an exhilarating showdown at UFC 298, the featherweight title bout between Alexander “The Great” Volkanovski and Ilia “El Matador” Topuria is poised to capture the spotlight. With Volkanovski’s record standing at an impressive 26-3-0 and Topuria maintaining an undefeated streak of 14-0-0, this fight not only promises high-octane action but also holds significant implications for bettors looking for the best premium parlays. Scheduled for Saturday, February 17, 2024, at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, and broadcasted on ESPN+, this matchup is a pinnacle of mixed martial arts competition.
Alexander Volkanovski vs. Ilia Topuria 2/17/24 Game Info
| When: | Saturday, February 17, 2024, at 10:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Honda Center, Anaheim, California, USA |
| TV: | ESPN+ |
Alexander “The Great” Volkanovski Analysis
The stats provided showcase why Alexander Volkanovski has been such a dominant UFC featherweight champion. He lands an impressive 6.19 significant strikes per minute with strong 57% accuracy. This demonstrates dangerous and accurate striking skills that have helped Volkanovski control fights and batter opponents on the feet. Defensively, “The Great” minimizes damage exceptionally well, with his 58% defensive rate allowing him to absorb just 3.42 strikes per round. Volkanovski has only been finished once in his career, speaking to his durability. His wrestling metrics are solid, if not spectacular – he lands 1.84 takedowns per round at a 37% clip. While not a dominant wrestler, it shows Volkanovski can mix in takedowns to keep opponents guessing. His grappling defense shines even more, with an excellent 70% takedown defense rate to complement his own offensive wrestling. While known more as a striker, Volkanovski is well-rounded.
In his last bout though, Volkanovski finally tasted defeat against Makhachev when moving up to lightweight. This could demonstrate some decline in the 34-year old’s durability and reaction time compared to his prime years. If injuries or wear-and-tear have caught up to Volkanovski, the much younger Topuria could exploit any physical regression from the champion. Still, “The Great” had only lost once in the UFC over 19 fights prior to the Makhachev bout, showcasing career consistency and longevity thus far.
Ilia “El Matador” Topuria Analysis
Examining undefeated rising contender Ilia Topuria‘s statistical metrics makes it evident why he has steamrolled the competition in his ascension up the featherweight ranks. Although he lands slightly fewer significant strikes per minute at 4.44 compared to the champion, Topuria compensates with vicious knockout power that has earned him 7 straight KO/TKO victories. His 46% striking accuracy is also very solid, helping him maximize damage on every strike that does connect flush. Topuria’s superb 67% defensive rate allows him to minimize damage exceptionally well, taking just 3.05 significant strikes per minute. After 14 fights, Topuria’s striking defense shines brightest, complemented by a proven dangereous offense.
In the grappling realm, Topuria’s stats really stand out versus the champion. His 2.19 takedowns landed per round crushes Volkanovski’s rate, with an impressive 56% accuracy as well. Topuria’s wrestling control and pressure could present problems for Volkanovski. Additionally, Topuria owns a tremendous 92% takedown defense rate that dwarfs the champion’s, showcasing stellar anti-wrestling skills. While not a BJJ wizard, Topuria has earned 5 submission wins with his 1.5 per 15 minutes submission rate. Across the board, Topuria owns very impressive metrics that demonstrate why he has risen up the ranks undefeated. If he can implement this diverse skill set against Volkanovski, Topuria could very well hand the champion his first legitimate featherweight loss.
Alexander Volkanovski vs. Ilia Topuria Stats
| Volkanovski | Topuria | |
| Wins/Losses/Draws | 26-3-0 | 14-0-0 |
| Average Fight Time | 16:18 | 10:17 |
| Height | 5′ 6″ | 5′ 7″ |
| Weight | 145 lbs. | 145 lbs. |
| Reach | 71″ | 69″ |
| Stance | Orthodox | Orthodox |
| Strikes Landed per Min. | 6.19 | 4.44 |
| Striking Accuracy | 57% | 46% |
| Strikes Absorbed per Min. | 3.42 | 3.05 |
| Defense | 58% | 67% |
| Takedowns Average/15 min. | 1.84 | 2.19 |
| Takedown Accuracy | 37% | 56% |
| Takedown Defense | 70% | 92% |
| Submission Average/15 min. | 0.2 | 1.5 |
Alexander Volkanovski vs. Ilia Topuria Betting Picks
In the end, the UFC featherweight title fight at UFC 298 between Alexander Volkanovski and Ilia Topuria shapes up as a competitive contest featuring an accomplished champion versus a hungry rising contender. For the savvy bettor, taking the modest underdog odds on Topuria to continue his undefeated ascent is warranted here.
Free Pick: AIlia “El Matador” Topuria +106
When it comes to UFC title fights, never hesitate to back the emerging young gun as an underdog versus the aging veteran champion. Those types of high-value bets on rising talents like Ilia Topuria can pay off big from a betting perspective. Enjoy a successful and profitable evening on February 17th for the Volkanovski versus Topuria main event showdown. Be sure to take advantage of the MMA picks of the day for a lucky 2024.