UFC 298 storylines: Can Topuria end Volkanovski's title run? - ESPN

Few fighters in combat sports truly live up to their nicknames. «The Korean Zombie» did plod forward unfazed by whatever was in his path, but Chan Sung Jung was neither undead nor mythological. «The Axe Murderer,» as fierce as Wanderlei Silva was, never chopped down a tree or even an opponent inside the cage. The heavyweight who calls himself «Razor» has a thick beard covering his face, so what does Curtis Blaydes know about razors? Quinton «Rampage» Jackson was capable of wild violence early in his career but toward the end was more of a «Mild Disturbance.» And so on.

Then there's Alexander Volkanovski. His nickname, «The Great,» tells us two things: first, that he or someone in his circle of friends is a student of ancient Greek history and, second, that he's way more humble than he needs to be. Because with all apologies to Muhammad Ali, Volkanovski has earned the right to use the superlative version of that moniker. As far as both current UFC champions and all-time featherweights go, he is «The Greatest.»

Volkanovski is by far the longest-reigning champion in the UFC. He won the men's featherweight title in 2019, and none of the other 10 current champs claimed their strap before 2022. Volkanovski has made five title defenses, more than twice as many as the next-most-accomplished champion. He will put his belt up for grabs for a sixth time on Saturday when he faces undefeated Ilia Topuria in the main event of UFC 298 in Anaheim, California (ESPN+ PPV, 10 p.m. ET).

Another number adds to the intrigue of this weekend's title defense. That number is 35 — Volkanovski's age. No one in any of the UFC's lower-weight men's divisions has ever won a title fight at that age or older. And for all of his success — 12 straight wins