MMA Event Breakdown - UFC 298: Volkanovski vs. Topuria
UFC 298: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Ilia Topuria
The octagon returns to Anaheim, California for a pay-per-view showcase between pound-for-pound mainstay Alexander “The Great” Volkanovski and oncoming title challenger Ilia “El Matador” Topuria. The main card is stacked with talented fighters in relevant, high-level matchups, so we have plenty of great action to break down, beginning with a women’s flyweight fight with huge implications for both parties.
Miranda Maverick vs. Andrea Lee
Fight Odds: -180 Maverick vs. +150 Lee
Weight Class: 125lb. (Women’s Flyweight)
Miranda Maverick has balanced a busy schedule throughout her MMA career, pursuing higher education and establishing business opportunities for herself outside of the octagon. Now she has a graduate degree, her businesses are operational, and she seems to be finding her stride in the cage as well, coming off a win and a finish over Priscilla Cachoeira.
Lee is known for being tough and durable, but she is starting to wilt more frequently in her fights as a result of a long, difficult career and a lack of functional skills off her back. Lee has solid physicality for a 35-year-old woman, but she struggles to defend takedowns, and Maverick is likely to test her in that phase. Maverick recently received her BJJ black belt, and she has been competing in high-level grappling tournaments, so I expect her to leverage those skills to close the show for Lee.
Prediction: Miranda Maverick defeats Andrea Lee via SUB2/3 (Head & Arm Choke)