International Fight Week is set to dazzle fans once again in Las Vegas as UFC 290 takes center stage at the T-Mobile Arena. This highly anticipated event features a stacked lineup, headlined by featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski defending his title against interim titleholder Yair Rodriguez.
Volkanovski’s reign in the featherweight division has been nothing short of impressive, with wins over former champion Max Holloway and Hall of Famer Jose Aldo. He aims to solidify his place as one of the division’s greatest by overcoming the last major challenge of his era in Rodriguez. The latter earned his shot at the title by defeating Josh Emmett for the interim strap.
Another exciting title fight on the card is the rematch between flyweight champion Brandon Moreno and Alexandre Pantoja. Pantoja emerged victorious in their first official fight in 2018, as well as during their season of The Ultimate Fighter. However, Moreno is favored to win this time around, having recently defeated Deiveson Figueiredo in a four-fight series.
The undercard also promises a thrilling lineup of rising prospects. Middleweight contender Dricus du Plessis will face former champion Robert Whittaker in a featured bout. Du Plessis is determined to secure a title shot with a win over Whittaker. In another exciting matchup, top lightweights Jalin Turner and Dan Hooker will go head-to-head. Additionally, middleweight prospect Bo Nickal will make his return when he takes on Valentine Woodburn.
UFC 290 Fight Card:
– Alexander Volkanovski (c) vs. Yair Rodriguez (ic) – Featherweight title fight
– Brandon Moreno (c) vs. Alexandre Pantoja – Flyweight title fight
– Robert Whittaker vs. Dricus du Plessis – Middleweight bout
– Jalin Turner vs. Dan Hooker – Lightweight bout
– Bo Nickal vs. Valentine Woodburn – Middleweight bout
– Niko Price vs. Robbie Lawler – Welterweight bout
– Yazmin Jauregui vs. Denise Gomes – Women’s Strawweight bout
– Jimmy Crute vs. Alonzo Menifield – Light heavyweight bout
– Tatsuro Taira vs. Edgar Chairez – Flyweight bout
– Vitor Petrino vs. Marcin Prachino – Light heavyweight bout
– Cameron Saaiman vs. Christian Rodriguez – Bantamweight bout
– Jesus Aguilar vs. Shannon Ross – Flyweight bout
– Esteban Ribovics vs. Kamuela Kirk – Lightweight bout
UFC 290 is scheduled for July 8 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, with the main card starting at 10 p.m. ET. Fans can catch all the action on ESPN+ PPV, with a subscription costing $79.99.
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As International Fight Week descends upon Las Vegas once again, UFC 290 promises to deliver an unforgettable night of high-stakes battles. With a stacked card featuring two explosive title fights and a host of rising talent, fans are in for a treat. Stay tuned for more news, updates, and features leading up to this monumental event.
