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| LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 08: Alexandre Pantoja celebrates after going five rounds against UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno during UFC 290 at T-Mobile Arena on July 08, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pantoja won the title by split decision. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images) |
UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski and interim champion Yair Rodriguez faced off Saturday to determine the undisputed title-holder at UFC 290 inside the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Volkanovski closed the show with a dominant performance and finished Rodriguez in the third round with some nasty ground and pound to retain his title.
Rodriguez had secured the interim title in February at UFC 284 in Perth, Australia. On the same card, Volkanovski challenged Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title but suffered a narrow decision loss. Rodriguez impressed with a superb performance against Josh Emmett, submitting him with a triangle choke in the second round. That earned him the interim title and the shot at Volkanovski.
But Volkanovski proved Saturday the close loss to Makhachev only improved his game and he picked apart Rodriguez from beginning to end.
In the co-main event, Alexandre Pantoja claimed the UFC flyweight title by defeating Brandon Moreno for the third time in his career. Pantoja earned the win by way of a split decision, with judges scoring it 48-47 twice in his favor, while one judge had an unusually wide 49-46 score for Moreno.
The closely contested third round could have swung either way, and the fifth round saw a competitive exchange, with Moreno showcasing his striking in the first half and Pantoja dominating with grappling in the latter half.
The intense and relentless pace maintained throughout the fight made it one of the fights of the year. Both fighters displayed tremendous heart and determination, with their faces bearing the marks of their fierce exchange. Pantoja's grappling skills proved pivotal and he came close to securing a rear naked choke in the later rounds.
This back-and-forth struggle added to the memorable moments of the event, which had already witnessed several first-round finishes. While Moreno may feel the sting of defeat, he can take pride in delivering one of the best performances of his career. Together, they created an epic battle that will be remembered in the annals of MMA history.
UFC 290 main card results, highlights
• Featherweight championship: Alex Volkanovski def. Yair Rodriguez by TKO (punches) at 4:19 of R3
• Flyweight championship: Brandon Moreno def. Alexandre Pantoja by split decision (46-48, 48-47, 48-47)
• Middleweight: Dricus Du Plessis def. Robert Whittaker by TKO (punches) at 2:23 of R2
• Catchweight (158 lbs): Dan Hooker def. Jalin Turner by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
• Middleweight: Bo Nickal def. Val Woodburn by TKO (punches) at 0:38 of R1:
UFC 290 prelims, highlights
• Welterweight: Robbie Lawler def. Niko Price by KO (punch) at 0:38 of R1
• Catchweight (130 lbs): Tatsuro Taira def. Edgar Chairez by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Women's strawweight: Denise Gomes def. Yazmin Jauregui by TKO (punches) at 0:20 of R1:
• Light heavyweight: Alonzo Menifield def. Jimmy Crute by submission (guillotine) at 1:55 of R2
UFC 290 early prelims results, highlights
• Light heavyweight: Vitor Petrino def. Marcin Prachnio by submission (arm triangle) at 3:42 of R3
• Bantamweight: Cameron Saaiman def. Terrence Mitchell by TKO (ground and pound) at 3:10 of R1
• Flyweight: Jesus Aguilar def. Shannon Ross by KO (punch) at 0:17 of R1:
• Lightweight: Esteban Ribovics def. Kamuela Kirk by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)