Combat sports analyst Teddy Atlas is excited to watch Alexander Volkanovski vs. Ilia Topuria at UFC 298.
Volkanovski is set to return to the featherweight division as he looks to defend his belt against the undefeated Topuria. It’s a very intriguing matchup and Atlas thinks Volkanovski could capitalize on Topuria’s movement, as he believes the Georgian-Spainard is always on the center line.
“Topuria’s got great hand speed, power, good technique… He is a guy that doesn’t really have many weaknesses,” Atlas said on his YouTube channel. “He is buttoned-up, he isn’t a seek-and-destroy guy, he does it systematically, but he does it consistently, and he’s never lost and he believes he will never lose and that is part of the confidence that makes him so good…
“If there is a potential weakness he’s a little predictable with his in-and-out, not to his sides. So, Volkanovski is very good at this, I think an opportunity if he has watched the film, there is an opportunity for you to maybe time Topuria as he goes out, time him as he goes out,” Atlas continued.
Teddy Atlas makes prediction for UFC 298 title fight
With Teddy Atlas thinking there aren’t many weaknesses for either fighter, he’s expecting a very competitive fight on Saturday night in Anaheim.
Entering the fight, Volkanovski is a small -125 betting favorite while Topuria is a +105 underdog. Atlas agrees with the oddsmakers that it will be a close fight but leans towards Volkanovski getting the decision win.
“These guys are too good, nobody is giving in, nobody is giving an inch, they are good enough striking that nobody is getting hit by that perfect punch or perfect kick, I don’t think. They are too smart, they are too good that way, they are very even on the mat, they are very well-rounded… At the end of the day, Ken, I can’t go against Volkanovski until you show me you can beat him at his weight class,” Atlas said.
As Atlas says, until someone beats Volkanovski at featherweight, he won’t be picking against him.
