UFC 298 will see Ilia Topuria challenge champion Alexander Volkanovski in a much-awaited battle for his featherweight crown tomorrow in Anaheim, California. But, it seems the card has lost one of its fights as the Marcos Rogerio de Lima vs. Justin Tafa heavyweight battle has been canceled after Tafa pulled out because of an injury, according to reports.

Their bout was expected to be an exciting affair with the possibility of a knockout as heavyweight bouts often are. This fight would have been a chance for De Lima to wash away the bitter aftertaste of his humiliating thirty-second high knee-kick loss to Derrick Lewis at UFC 291 last year.

However he will have to wait for the opportunity to do that as the news of the cancellation was announced on the UFC’s official weigh-in show. No replacement has been announced and given the proximity of the cancellation of the event, it seems fans will have to deal with having one less bout on the card. Even though the cancellation of this bout may have disappointed fans, there are many exciting bouts on the card.

Sparks expected to fly at UFC 298

Despite this cancellation, UFC 298 is shaping up to be an electrifying card. Legendary featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski will make his sixth title defense against #5 ranked Ilia Topuria for the main event of the card. The two have been involved in a series of contentious exchanges in the run-up to their fight, with ‘El Matador’ claiming Volkanovski was too old and promising to retire them.

Volkanovski, seemingly unperturbed by this, has leaned into his opponent’s insults and even came to the UFC 298 pre-fight press conference dressed as an old man. The champion is confident of victory and has vowed to teach the ‘arrogant’ Topuria a lesson in humility.

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The co-main event, while not as contentious and personal, is a great matchup that fan are eagerly looking forward to. #6 ranked Paulo Costa will fight former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker in what is expected to be a striking masterclass with some of Whittaker’s grappling thrown in for good measure. This bout will most likely see the winner get in the title mix and may determine the course of the 33-year-old Whittaker’s future in the promotion. What are your predictions for UFC 298? Let us know in the comments section below.

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