Updated:
Jun 29, 2023 9:22 pm
On Saturday, July 8th, live from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, fight fans will be gifted with one of the most highly anticipated Ultimate Fighting Championship events in 2023.
Nations will collide at UFC 290, with Australian featherweight king Alexander Volkanovski defending his 145 lb strap versus the division’s interim champ and Mexican fan favourite, Yair Rodriguez.
The elite-level MMA action doesn’t stop there, as another Mexican superstar Brandon Moreno, will defend his flyweight strap in the evening’s co-main event. And it’s a formidable foe, Alexandre Pantoji, who’ll be looking to emulate a past victory he owns over Moreno and return to Brazil with the gold. The MMA world is struggling to contain it’s
UFC 290 Main Event
Alexander Volkanovski vs. Yair Rodriguez
Featherweight Championship Bout
Since arriving to the UFC in 2016, Alexander “The Great” Volkanovski has unquestionably lived up to his nickname. As a featherweight competitor, he won seven consecutive bouts, defeated Max Holloway for the 145 lb title, and has since defended the championship successfully on five occasions.
The only loss for Volkanovski surfaced once the fighting pride of Australia moved up a weight class and challenged Islam Makhachev for the lightweight crown. He, unfortunately, lost the contest, but many critics from the MMA media scored the fight in favor of Volkanovski, and he lost zero respect for his efforts.
After clearing most of the featherweight division’s top-ranked challengers, one opponent stood out from the crowd with which Volkanovski hadn’t crossed paths. He is Yair Rodriguez, and the Mexican kickboxer is the current interim champion after defeating Josh Emmett earlier this year. However, he won’t claim complete championship status until he’s tested his 15-3-0 record against “The Great.”
Rodriguez is renowned for his flashy striking style, and Volkanovski is also predominantly known as a striker. This elite-level matchmaking guarantees to deliver a Fight of the Night contender and potentially a Fight of the Year candidate.
UFC 290 Co-Main Event
Brandon Moreno vs. Alexandre Pantoja
Flyweight Championship Bout
The loveable, friendly, and soft-spoken attitude of Brandon Moreno has warmed the hearts of MMA fans worldwide. However, when the current Flyweight champion steps into the octagon, a monster is unleashed, and this side of Moreno has given him a 9-3 UFC record, the 125 lb title, and a reputation of being one of the best fighters on the planet.
Following a trilogy with Deiveson Figueiredo and a successful title over Kai Kara-France, Moreno will now face one of the few fighters that have defeated him in the past.
To ensure the co-main can’t be hindered, Massachusetts’ own, Brandon Royval, will be the backup fighter in case either of the co-main event participants cannot compete. Furthermore, Massachusetts sports betting apps will come in handy if you’re looking to get in on the action for this action-packed event.
However, from a betting perspective, the available lines on Moreno/Pantoja will deliver intrigue. As one of the only fighters to hand Moreno a loss during his UFC stint, this bout’s excitement and curiosity will captivate fight fans from the opening bell.
The Remainder of UFC 290
The [MMA] stars have aligned for UFC 290 in Vegas, and it isn’t just the main and co-main event set to deliver incredible matchups.
Elsewhere on the card, the likes of Bo Nickal, Robert Whittaker, Dricus Du Plessis, Dan Hooker, Robbie Lawler, Jack Della Maddelena, Cameron Saaiman, and Tatsuro Taira are scheduled to fight.
With up-and-coming prospects and veterans alike, you don’t want to miss UFC 290 – a night oozing with compelling fights.
UFC 290 Main Card Schedule
- ⦁ Alexander Volkanovski vs. Yair Rodriguez [UFC featherweight championship bout]
- ⦁ Brandon Moreno vs. Alexandre Pantoja [UFC flyweight championship bout]
- ⦁ Bo Nickal vs. Tresean Gore [UFC middleweight bout]
- ⦁ Robert Whittaker vs. Dricus Du Plessis [UFC middleweight bout]
- ⦁ Dan Hooker vs. Jalin Turner [UFC lightweight bout]
UFC 290 Preliminary Card Schedule
- ⦁ Robbie Lawler vs. Niko Price [UFC welterweight bout]
- ⦁ Sean Brady vs. Jack Della Maddalena [UFC welterweight bout]
- ⦁ Shannon Ross vs. Jesus Aguilar [UFC flyweight bout]
- ⦁ Yazmin Jauregui vs. Denise Gomes [UFC women’s strawweight bout]
- ⦁ Kamuela Kirk vs. Esteban Ribovics [UFC lightweight bout]
- ⦁ Vitor Petrino vs. Marcin Prachnio [UFC light heavyweight bout]
- ⦁ Jimmy Crute vs. Alonzo Menifield [UFC light heavyweight bout]
- ⦁ Cameron Saaiman vs. Terrence Mitchell [UFC bantamweight bout]
- ⦁ Edgar Chairez vs. Tatsuro Taira [UFC flyweight bout]
