UFC 298 preview: Start of a big year for Ian Machado Garry

Irish eyes will be on Ian Machado Garry as he gets his 2024 underway at UFC 298 against Geoff Neal.

Originally scheduled for UFC 292, an injury to Neal left Garry facing Neil Magny, who he defeated via decision.

After going 3-0 in 2023, Garry will be aiming to make a statement in his toughest fight yet. A convincing win this Saturday could set him up for a big name in the top of the welterweight division, and possibly force the UFC back to Dublin.

It was a frustrating end to the year for Garry, who was scheduled to face Vicente Luque at UFC 296, but had to pull out due to illness.

In his first fight back, Neal will be no easy task, and arguably gave Shavkhat Rhakmaov his toughest fight yet, as he lost in a third round submission.

Garry will look to use his movement and pick apart Neal, who also could be set for a top five bout if ge was to give the Dublin man his first professional defeat

In the main event, Alexnader Volkanovski defends his featherweight title for the sixth time when he takes on the undefeated Ilia Tuporia.

Volkanovski will be aiming to put his last fight behind him, when he was knocked out by Islam Mackachev at UFC 294, in his second attempt to become lightweight champion.

Just four months later, he faces Topuria, who dominated Josh Emmet last summer to set up his title shot. His power to end the fight with one shot, and has shown his submission game should the fight get to the ground, in what should be one of the fights of the year.

Should he defeat Volkanovski, he could become the next big superstar in European MMA, with his confidence in the lead up to Saturday's bout clear for all to see.

In the co-main event, Robert Whittaker will be hoping to bounce back when he faces Paulo Costa in the