On Saturday, February 17, the highly anticipated UFC 298 event will take place at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. The main event features a captivating matchup between the reigning UFC featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski, and the undefeated challenger, Ilia Topuria. With this event just around the corner, let's delve into five key storylines that make this Pay-Per-View event a must-watch.
1. Volkanovski's Age and History of Male Fighters in Title Fights At 35 years old, Volkanovski finds himself at a crucial point in his career. Male UFC fighters, especially those competing in title fights below the welterweight limit, have historically struggled after the age of 35. A closer look reveals that male fighters have gone a daunting 2-21 in championship fights during this stage of their careers. Moreover, when facing younger opponents, their success rate diminishes even further. Volkanovski, with his loss on short notice and in a weight class he doesn't regularly compete in, exemplifies the challenges faced by fighters in this age group. However, his most recent win against Yair Rodriguez less than three months before his 35th birthday could fuel his confidence in this matchup.
