MMA News Roundup: Volkanovski to Return at Anaheim for UFC 298 After KO Loss, Israel Adesanya Tricks Fans With Cryptic Joke, Conor McGregor’s Fight Dubbed Insignificant

The MMA world is as bumbling as ever. Big returns are all over the place and the general beef that keeps the UFC afloat just never dies out. It can be tough keeping up with literally everything but worry not. We have got you covered. Let’s discuss the interesting few hours that brought surprises from stars like ‘Izzy‘ and Alexander Volkanovski.

Also what about Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler? Fans have been rooting for the match for ages now but have you stopped for a moment to think, will the beef result in a match? Well, one UFC legend has, and he doesn’t bear very good news. Let’s dive into this edition roundup headfirst with Volkanovski’s announcement.

Return date locked for ‘The Great’

Alexander Volkanovski is all set to be back in action. After losing to Islam Makhachev in a devastating turn of events at UFC 294, ‘The Great’ vowed to be back soon. And he is going to deliver. A match between him and Illia Topuria has been announced in grand fashion and Volkanovski has more than just his reputation at stake.

Topuria had earlier released a beautiful cinematic trailer announcing the fight himself. Now, it has been confirmed by Dana White too. ‘The Great’ will be defending his featherweight title against Topuria on the 17th of February at Anaheim.

It will mark his return and maybe, just maybe, ‘Volk’ is feeling the pressure. His loss to Makhachev was rather unexpected and hurtfully swift. So his pride is on the line along with his title. Topuria is a formidable opponent and Volkanovski is a champion of the highest order.

So the match is going to be as high-octane as they come. The question is, what happens to ‘Volk’ in the aftermath of it? If he loses his title, will he return to challenge Makhachev for his belt? Or will he take a step back and try to find the right time and place to reclaim his own? Only time can tell.

Israel Adesanya pulled a prank with his comeback

2024 sounds like it’s going to be a year of comebacks. Is Israel Adesanya on the list or returning fighters? No one can say for sure but ‘The Last Stylebender’ had everyone’s hopes up for a brief while. In a recent IG post, he teased a 205 lbs title fight against Alex Pereira at UFC 298.

However, the Kiwi soon took to his Instagram story and wrote ‘Sike’ with a picture of himself and Volkanovski in the background. So fans can shelve any hopes they had for that trilogy, for now. But then again, never say never.

Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler is fading out

Chael Sonnen is back at it again with his in-depth analysis of where the UFC could go. And if he’s to be believed, the Michael Chandler vs. McGregor fight looks tough. Why? According to the veteran, it simply doesn’t matter enough. If it happens, it will be just for the purpose of putting up a spectacle.

Also Read: “That Fight Does Not Have a Significance” – Questions on Conor McGregor’s Return and the Sad Reality Behind Michael Chandler Fight Gets Disclosed by UFC Legend

“I think you’re not going to have Conor McGregor vs Michael Chandler on the top of a bill at 300. Because that fight does not have a significance within the division,” said Sonnen in one of his latest videos. And he’s making sense too. If the fight doesn’t lead to anything, there’s less and less reason for two fighters of such top level to fight. Apart from doing justice to the beef, of course. Do you think the fight will ever go down? Let us know in the comments.

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