Alexander Volkanovski reaffirmed his dominance in the featherweight division with a technical knockout victory over Yair Rodriguez at UFC 290. After briefly flirting with the lightweight division, Volkanovski returned to featherweight and proved why he is still the best in that weight class. He defeated Rodriguez, the interim champion, and solidified his position as the undisputed champion. The fight ended in the third round with Volkanovski delivering a series of powerful strikes, forcing the referee to step in and stop the match. Rodriguez was subsequently sent to the hospital.
Former President Donald Trump was in attendance at the event, drawing attention as he walked alongside UFC President Dana White. The sold-out T-Mobile Arena crowd of 19,204 roared in excitement upon Trump’s entrance. The event was deemed a huge success by White, with a gate revenue of $9.75 million and an electric atmosphere.
Volkanovski, a heavy favorite, utilized his grappling skills to dictate the pace of the fight , taking Rodriguez to the mat and delivering strikes . Although Rodriguez showed resilience in the third round, Volkanovski eventually overwhelmed him with a takedown and a barrage of punches, leading to the stoppage.
This fight marked Volkanovski’s return to featherweight after a loss to lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. Prior to that, Volkanovski had an impressive winning streak and established himself as one of the best featherweights in history . He has his sights set on breaking records and further cementing his legacy in the sport.
The International Fight Week card also featured another championship bout, where Alexandre Pantoja captured the flyweight belt by defeating champion Brandon Moreno via split decision. Both fighters were taken to the hospital after the fight , with Moreno suffering a broken hand.
In addition, Robbie Lawler, who was recently inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame, ended his career on a high note with a quick knockout victory over Niko Price in the welterweight division. The emotional Lawler watched a tribute video dedicated to him and received a thunderous response from the crowd.
Overall, the event was a huge success and showcased the talent and excitement of the UFC.