Alexander Volkanovski vs Illia Topuria headlines UFC 298 this Saturday. However, the undercard has good fights to watch for. But due to a staph infection, one of the fights needed to change. Although the new matchup remains to be a promising bout. Despite the late switch, three undercard fights look to be electric that evening! There will be one welterweight fight, one fight at the bantamweight division, and a middleweight matchup. With Robert Whittaker and Paulo Costa following these fights as the co-main event, Anaheim is lining up to be a great card.
Who are the best fighters to look at to give you the best value in these MMA matchups?
UFC 298 Fight Details
Fixture: UFC 298 Volkanowski vs Topuria
Date And Time: February 17, 2024 @ 10:00 p.m. EST
Location: Honda Center in Anaheim, California
#3 UFC 298 Undercard Fight: Anthony Hernandez vs Roman Kopylov
| Fighter | Spread | Total | MoneyLine |
| Anthony Hernandez | -3.5 -165 |
O 1.5 -166 |
-250 |
| Roman Kopylov | +3.5 +120 |
U 1.5 +130 |
+205 |
| ** Odds Courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook** | |||
Anthony Hernandez (11-2-0) is one of the more impressive people in the scene. He is currently on a four-match winning streak and looks to extend it at UFC 298. However, his ability to get to the group and control opponents from the mat is one of the more impressive aspects of his skill set. Additionally, of his 11 wins, 7 were by submission.
In contrast, Roman Kopylov (12-2-0) is looking to upset Hernandez’s night. The Russian fighter looks to win via a different route, however. Instead, he has won 11 of his 12 victories through KO/TKO. In a clash of styles, it will come down to who can execute their game plan better in the evening.
Hernandez vs Kopylov Fight Prediction
Although the oddsmakers favor Hernandez, I can see Kopylov getting upset. Ultimately the over/under on rounds is correct. Either Hernandez will win by submission or Kopylov via knockout. But the winner will win late in the first or early in the second round. Therefore, staying away from the total is the correct move. However, I am going MoneyLine for the underdog.
Final Pick
Roman Kopylov MoneyLine +205
#2 UFC 298 Undercard Fight: Merab Dvalishvili vs Henry Cejudo
| Fighter | Spread | Total | MoneyLine |
| Merab Dvalishvili | -3.5 +110 |
O 2.5 -330 |
-238 |
| Henry Cejudo | +3.5 -145 |
U 2.5 +240 |
+195 |
| ** Odds Courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook** | |||
Merab Dvalishvili (16-4-0) aims to wear you down. In his last fight against Petr Yan, the Georgian landed 147 significant strikes. However, the fight still went to a decision. Dvalishvili’s fights have gone to the judges four out of the last five times. Although he is on a nine-fight winning streak even with this being the case. He’s looking to make it double-digits at UFC 298.
Henry Cejudo (16-3-0) returned to the octagon after nearly a three-year break. However, his first fight back ended in defeat against Aljamain Sterling by a split decision. Cejudo scored three takedowns and landed 99 significant strikes in that match. Also worth noting, before his absence, he won his last three fights via KO/TKO.
Merab Dvalishvili vs Henry Cejudo Fight Prediction
Given the previous history of these two, the over is the obvious choice, hence why I am staying away from it at -330. Although you could consider using it in a larger parlay, that’s the only way I’d even consider touching the total in this one. But Again I see the underdog making it closer than what people are anticipating. However, I see this once again going to the judges, or Cejudo winning past the second. Therefore, I am going with Cejudo at +3.5. and the over in the aforementioned parlay to give me +120 odds.
Final Pick
Parlay: Henry Cejudo +3.5 and Over 2.5
#1 UFC 298 Undercard Fight: Geoff Neal vs Ian Gerry
| Fighter | Spread | Total | MoneyLine |
| Geoff Neal | +3.5 -105 |
O 2.5 -140 |
+190 |
| Ian Gerry | -3.5 -125 |
U 2.5 +110 |
-230 |
| ** Odds Courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook** | |||
Geoff Neal (14-5-0) has hands of steal but is looking to get a win at UFC 298 any way that he can. His last two wins resulted from different endings. However, those two victories were in 2021 and 2022 respectively. One was by KO/TKO, while the other was by submission. But his latest fight from last year ended in defeat against Shavkat Rakhmonov with a rear naked chokehold. Additionally, in the three rounds, he only landed 69 significant strikes.
Ian Garry (13-0-0) looks to remain undefeated. The Irishman entertains fans and is hoping to continue to build his legacy. But three out of his last five fights went to the judges. Although all three were unanimous, it shows that this could go the distance. But in four out of his last five fights, Garry has landed 90+ significant strikes. While also including two fights that went into triple-digits.
Geoff Neal vs Ian Gerry Fight Prediction
touching the total is too risky. At this stage of Garry’s career, the fight could last 90 seconds, or it could go to the scorecards. However, I see the favorite continuing to put up strong performances and winning on the night. Ultimately I believe the pressure and volume of Harry will overwhelm Neal. Regardless if it’s via unanimous decision or knockout, picking against the spread is the move to make here for the last fight before the main and co-main events of UFC 298.
UFC 298: Final Pick
Gerry -3.5
About the Author
Gabriel is a lifelong sports fan. Pick a sport, and he’ll enjoy talking about it with you! From football to soccer, combat sports, and volleyball! For more great content, check us out on X @TotalApexSports. Remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel, where we do several shows daily. You can follow Gabriel on Twitter @BigTenGabriel to enjoy all of his great content. Make sure you follow us on NewsBreak as well.
