Get ready because the UFC is hitting California for the first time since August 2022 with UFC 298: Volkanovski vs Topuria, and it's going to be epic from start to finish! Everyone's buzzing about Alexander Volkanovski defending his featherweight title against the undefeated Ilia Topuria, not to mention the showdown between Robert Whittaker and Paulo Costa. And that's just the tip of the iceberg for the UFC's second PPV bash of 2024 – they've just added four more killer bouts to the lineup.
Let's talk about Rinya Nakamura, the "Road to UFC" champ, who's stepping back into the Octagon for his second official UFC fight against Carlos Vera. This Japanese bantamweight powerhouse has finished six of his eight wins and is hungry for his first UFC knockout after outmaneuvering Fernie Garcia in Singapore. Carlos Vera's no slouch either, fresh off "The Ultimate Fighter" where he fought hard but fell short against the tournament champ Brad Katona. He's pumped for a smashing UFC debut.
The welterweight division is also bringing the heat with Josh Quinlan and Danny Barlow. Quinlan, a product of Dana White’s Contender Series, split his first two UFC matches and is itching for a comebacack win against Barlow after some time out due to injuries and a cancelled fight. Barlow, another DWCS standout, scored his contract with a jaw-dropping first-round KO of Raheam Forest last September. Undefeated with a string of knockouts and a submission, he's aiming to keep his perfect record rolling on February 17.
Don't miss the welterweight clash between Oban Elliott and Val Woodburn, either. Woodburn's looking to redeem himself after a knockout loss to Bo Nickal at UFC 290, his first pro MMA defeat. Elliott, the "Welsh Gangster" and a veteran of Cage Warriors and Dana White’s Contender Series, is all set to prove he's one of the best fighters Wales has ever produced. Both guys are desperate to come out on top in Anaheim.
Last but not least, middleweights AJ Dobson and Tresean Gore are squaring off, each hoping to make a splash. Dobson, another DWCS alum, is coming off his first UFC win and is ready to start climbing the ranks. But Gore, a standout from The Ultimate Fighter, is a tough opponent. Despite a rocky start in the Octagon, he turned heads with a spectacular submission win over Josh Fremd. Initially set to face Bo Nickal at UFC 290, Gore is now fired up to get back on the championship track.
So, mark your calendars and get ready for a night of non-stop action at UFC 298 – this is one you won't want to miss!