New champ Ilia Topuria snags extra $50,000

Zhang Mingyang def. Brendson Ribeiro (photo courtesy UFC)

Zhang Mingyang def. Brendson Ribeiro via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 1:41

Zhang Mingyang (17-6 MMA, 1-0 UFC) wasn’t afraid to stay in the pocket against Brendson Ribeiro (15-6 MMA, 0-1 UFC) in a firefight. He landed a right hand in tight quarters after 100 seconds of a slugfest, then followed with a left hook that had the Brazilian out on the canvas. A few hammerfists before Mike Beltran could get in to stop it were icing on the cake.

Anthony Hernandez def. Roman Kopylov (Photo courtesy UFC)

Anthony Hernandez def. Roman Kopylov via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 3:23

Anthony Hernandez (12-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) struggled to get Roman Kopylov (12-3 MMA, 4-3 UFC) to the canvas in the first round. But once he got the fight to the mat in the second, he was in his world and sank in a rear-naked choke. The win was his fifth straight and fourth by stoppage.

Feb 17, 2024; Anaheim, California, USA; Amanda Lemos lands a hit against Mackenzie Dern during UFC 298 at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Amanda Lemos def. Mackenzie Dern via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

The women’s strawweight bout between Amanda Lemos (14-3-1 MMA, 8-3 UFC) and Mackenzie Dern (13-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC) to close out the prelims delivered as promised with a highly competitive fight that saw Lemos take a unanimous decision to stay relevant in the division after a title fight loss in August 2023.

Feb 17, 2024; Anaheim, California, USA; Ilia Topuria celebrates his championship victory against Alexander Volkanovski during UFC 298 at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Ilia Topuria def. Alexander Volkanovski via knockout (punches) – Round 2, 3:32

Ilia Topuria (15-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) was confident all fight week that he’d put away featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski (26-4 MMA, 13-3 UFC). He thought a first-round knockout would come, but it was in the second, instead. Topuria landed a clean shot to the chin that had Volkanovski out cold, and a couple shots on the canvas made sure of it. The Spaniard stayed unbeaten and ended Volkanovski’s lengthy reign at 145 pounds.