UFC 290: Volkanovski vs Rodriguez Results
UFC International Fight Week returns to Las Vegas and will feature a blockbuster world championship doubleheader, capped off by a title unification bout that will see featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski battle interim titleholder Yair Rodriguez. Also, two-time UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno defends his belt against long-time rival Alexandre Pantoja.
UFC 290: VOLKANOVSKI vs. RODRIGUEZ takes place Saturday, July 8 at T-Mobile Arena with the main card at 10 pm ET/7 pm PT on ESPN+ PPV. The prelims will be available on ABC and ESPN, as well as simulcast in English and Spanish on ESPN+, at 8 pm ET/5 pm PT. The night’s action will start at 6 pm ET/3 pm PT with Early Prelims on ESPN 2, ESPN+ (English and Spanish) and UFC Fight Pass.
Main and co-main event scheduled for five rounds. All other bouts scheduled for three rounds. | Official Scorecards
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UFC 290: Volkanovski vs Rodriguez Early Prelim Fight Results
Esteban Ribovics and Kamuela Kirk set the Fight of the Night bar high right out of the gate on Saturday night, engaging in a tremendously entertaining back-and-forth to kick off UFC 290.
Kirk controlled the entirety of the opening frame, putting Ribovics on the canvas immediately and controlling from dominant positions until the horn. Ribovics rallied in the back half of the second, stinging Kirk multiple times with power shots as they traded on the feet. In the third, Ribovics pulled away as Kirk faded, working out of takedowns and clinches to punish “The Jawaiian” and salt away the victory.
After dropping his debut in March, the Dana White’s Contender Series graduate picked up his first UFC win, moving his record to 12-1 in the process, while Kirk fell to 1-2 inside the Octagon and 11-6 overall with the loss.
KABOOM!
Jesus Aguilar put a right hand on the side of Shannon Ross’ head and just like that, the fight was over. Ross was out instantaneously and to his credit, Aguilar recognized it, and held back from throwing any further punches.
What a knockout for Aguilar, who bounces back from a defeat in his debut with an incredible walk-off win.
Cameron Saaiman continues his expeditious climb up the bantamweight ranks, making quick work of Terrence Mitchell to secure his third straight UFC victory.
The 22-year-old South African dominated from the outset, chasing a high-elbow guillotine early before really taking the fight to the UFC newcomer. After battering him with knees in the clinch along the fence, Saaiman dragged Mitchell to the canvas, climbed on his back, and pounded out the finish.
After a couple solid outings to start his UFC run, this was a clean, thorough effort from the youngster, who moved to 9-0 overall with his third consecutive triumph on a Las Vegas pay-per-view fight card.
Vitor Petrino is still green, but the DWCS grad has now collected consecutive victories inside the Octagon to establish himself as a genuine person of interest going forward in the light heavyweight division.
The 25-year-old Brazilian passed the veteran test posed by Poland’s Marcin Prachnio, landing the heavier blows of the two in the opening stanza before turning to his grappling in the second and third, where he latched onto an arm-triangle choke to secure the tap. Petrino wasn’t bothered by much coming back his way, and once he put Prachnio on the canvas in the third, it was clearly a wrap as he methodically worked towards the finish.
He’s had limited experience and still has lots to learn, but Petrino is an impressive physical specimen who showed he’s extremely coachable and brandishing a ton of upside in moving to 9-0 overall with his second straight UFC triumph.
UFC 290: Volkanovski vs Rodriguez Prelim Fight Results
Alonzo Menifield continues making headway in the UFC light heavyweight division, collecting a second-round submission win over Jimmy Crute in the rematch from their battle earlier in the year.
The powerhouse from Dallas patiently picked his spots in the first, landing the heavier blows throughout while avoiding getting wrestled to the ground. In the second, both men remained cautious on the feet, with Crute getting deep on a double leg, only for Menifield to pop right back to his feet and clamp onto the neck, twisting the Australian to the canvas where he drew out the tap.
With the win, Menifield pushes his unbeaten streak to four and his record to 5-1-1 over his last seven fights as he continues climbing towards the Top 15. He’s an explosive athlete who keeps improving each time out, and it’ll be interesting to see what’s next for him after this one.
Denise Gomes is a problem at strawweight!
The Brazilian prospect sparked Yazmin Jauregui with a clean right hand in the very first exchange and the Dana White’s Contender Series graduate kept unloading from there, unleashing a torrent of unanswered blows that prompted the stoppage.
After dropping her short-notice debut, the Parana Vale Tudo product has now posted back-to-back finishes, showcasing a different level of power than we’re used to seeing in the 115-pound weight class. Just 23 years old, Gomes is already impressing and still has loads of room to grow.
Tatsuro Taira is still unbeaten, but for the first time in his UFC career, the Japanese prospect was pushed and tested.
The 23-year-old controlled the opening two stanzas against Edgar Chairez as soon as he got the fight to the canvas, but he had to work in order to get there and couldn’t do any appreciable damage. In the third, it was more of the same right until the end, when Chairez latched onto a guillotine choke, adjusted his grip, and rolled into mount, only for the final horn to sound.
Now 4-0 in the UFC and 14-0 overall, Taira remains one of the top prospects in the sport, and should only continue to grow as a result of this test. As for Chairez, the DWCS alum showed he belongs in defeat, and it will be interesting to see what he’s able to do with a full camp next time out.
Order UFC 290 | Official Scorecards
UFC 290: Volkanovski vs Rodriguez Main Card Fight Results
Bo Nickal’s got hands? Bo Nickal has got hands!
The highly regarded Penn State wrestling standout showed off his boxing skills on Saturday, stinging Val Woodburn with a right hook over the top, before dropping him after a pair of lefts, and dropping the hammer to seal the deal.
Already considered one of the top prospects in the game, this just ups the ante even more for the incredible emerging threat from Happy Valley. Now 5-0, the sky is the limit for Nickal.
Order UFC 290 | Official Scorecards
Order UFC 290 | Official Scorecards
Don't miss a moment of UFC 290: Volkanovski vs Rodriguez, live from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Prelims start at 8pm ET/5pm PT on ABC and ESPN, while the main card kicks off live on PPV at 10pm ET/7pm PT.
