Welcome to Fightful.com's results, live coverage, and discussion for UFC 290: Volkanovski vs. Rodriguez!
We will bring you live play-by-play for UFC 290's main card and full results for the rest of tonight's card. Scroll down to the Disqus boards below and chat with fellow MMA fans during the event.
Results
Main Card (PPV, 10:00 p.m. EDT/7:00 p.m. PDT)
- Alexander Volkanovski (C) def. Yair Rodriguez (IC) via TKO (punches) (4:19, R3) — Undisputed UFC Featherweight Championship
- (#2) Alexandre Pantoja def. Brandon Moreno (C) via split-decision (49-48, 46-49, 49-48) — UFC Flyweight Championship
- (#5) Dricus Du Plessis def. (#2) Robert Whittaker via TKO (punches) (2:23, R2)
- (#12) Dan Hooker def. (#11) Jalin Turner via split-decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Bo Nickal def. Val Woodburn via TKO (punches) (0:38, R1)
Prelims (ABC/ESPN, 8:00 p.m. EDT/5:00 p.m. PDT)
- Robbie Lawler def. Niko Price via KO (punch) (0:38, R1)
- Tatsuro Taira def. Edgar Chairez via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)
- Denise Gomes def. Yazmin Jauregui via TKO (punches) (0:20, R1)
- Alonzo Menifield def. (#14) Jimmy Crute via submission (guillotine choke) (1:55, R2)
Early Prelims (ESPN2, 6:00 p.m. EDT/3:00 p.m. PDT)
- Vitor Petrino def. Marcin Prachnio via submission (arm triangle choke) (3:42, R3)
- Cameron Saaiman def. Terrence Mitchell via TKO (ground-and-pound) (3:10, R1)
- Jesus Aguilar def. Shannon Ross via KO (punch) (0:17, R1)
- Esteban Ribovics def. Kamuela Kirk via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Play-by-Play
Alexander Volkanovski (C) vs. Yair Rodriguez (IC) — Undisputed UFC Featherweight Championship
Round One - Volkanovski opens the action with a low kick. A ton of feints and stance switches here early and Volkanovski dives in and secures an early takedown. The champion works in some shots to both the body and the head as the challenger and interim champion scoots himself to the fence. Volkanovski lands a few short elbows, Rodriguez scrambles and gets back to his feet but Volkanovski remains clinched against Rodriguez along the fence. Volkanovski trips Rodriguez right back down to the fence and the horn sounds to end an entertaining opening frame.
Fightful scores this round 10-9 to Volkanovski.
Round Two - Rodriguez pops off a bunch of kicks but nothing of consequence lands to open round number two. A low kick lands for Rodriguez but Volkanovski cracks him with a right hook, then scoops and slams Rodriguez down to the mat. Rodriguez scrambled back to his feet but Volkanovski has the interim champion clinched and trips him right back down to the mat to secure his fifth official takedown of the bout. Volkanovski lands a some short elbows and Rodriguez is busted open pretty badly here. Rodriguez gets back to his feet but the champion is relentless and shoves Rodriguez right back down to the mat. Volkanovski fires off a bevy of shots whilst in top control and now hammers Rodriguez with several slicing elbows. Rodriguez is taking a beating here but he's trying to throw some elbows back in the champion's direction, but he's (Rodriguez) is certainly eating some heavy shots here. Volkanovski is landing shot after shot from top position, Rodriguez scrambles, but Volkanovski holds firm and continues the heavy shots until the buzzer, and this one is headed to round number three.
Fightful scores this round 10-8 to Volkanovski. 20-17 to Volkanovski after two rounds.
Round Three - Before the start of round number three, referee, Herb Dean warns Rodriguez to stop grabbing at Volkanovski's gloves as well as grabbing the fence. Both competitors trade low kicks to begin the round. Volkanovski snaps Rodriguez's head back with a straight right hand and the challenger responds with a calf kick. Rodriguez cracks Volkanovski with a head kick, then a right hook and the champion nods as to potentially signify that he felt all of those two shots from the challenger and interim champion. Volkanovski punches his way in and looks for the level change but Rodriguez shoves the champion back and lands a lead leg kick. A right hook lands for Volkanovski, as does a low kick, and it looks like we have a clash of heads as referee, Herb Dean calls for a brief halt in the action. This one is fairly quickly back underway and Rodriguez lands a bevy of shots and another head kick! Volkanovski stuns Rodriguez with a right hook, then some knees to the body, and the champion scoops and slams Rodriguez! Volkanovski rushes over and unloads shot after shot and referee, Herb Dean has seen enough! Alexander Volkanovski has done it yet again!
Result: Alexander Volkanovski (C) def. Yair Rodriguez (IC) via TKO (punches) (4:19, R3)
Brandon Moreno (C) vs. (#2) Alexandre Pantoja — UFC Flyweight Championship
Round One - Pantoja rushes right over to Moreno but the champion clinches and has the challenger pressed against the fence. Pantoja lands a knee to the body and forces the break. Moreno lands a 1-2, Pantoja clinches and looks for a trip but Moreno holds his balance and gets out of danger for the time being. Pantoja lands a right hook, Moreno counters a 1-2, then another combination finds a home for the champion. Pantoja cracks Moreno and the champion is down! Pantoja rushes over and starts hammering Moreno with heavy elbows in side control and the champion's face is a bloodied up mess. Moreno scrambles and gets back to his feet and pops the jab. Moreno lands an uppercut but eats a 1-2 from Pantoja, who cracks Moreno with a right hook followed by a low kick. Moreno lands a left hook, then pops the jab, Pantoja has a high kick blocked, Moreno shoves him down to the mat but Pantoja gets back up and initiates the clinch. Moreno forces the break but the horn sounds to end a wild opening frame.
Fightful scores this round 10-9 to Pantoja.
Round Two - Pantoja lands a right hook to open the action here in round number two. Moreno lands a 1-2, Pantoja comes back with a right hook, then a left hook. Moreno pops the jab, then lands a left hook, and gets the back of Pantoja! Moreno drags Pantoja down to the mat but Pantoja defends well for the time being. Moreno snaps Pantoja's head back with a left hook but comes back with a low kick. Moreno pops the jab, then lands a 1-2, but Pantoja lands a left hook and trips Pantoja to the mat to end round number two.
Fightful scores this round 10-9 to Moreno. 19-19 overall after two rounds.
Round Three - Pantoja lands a knee below the belt and the fight is briefly halter. Moreno gives the thumbs up and this one is quickly back underway. Pantoja eats an elbow but clinches Moreno against the fence. Pantoja lands an elbow of his own, Moreno trips him to the mat, but Pantoja rolls into the fall and ends up with back control. Moreno tucks his chin and defends well for the time being and explodes into top control! Moreno stands up and lets Pantoja back up as the crowd is in a frenzy. Pantoja lands a 1-2, then pops the jab, but Moreno lands an uppercut. Pantoja walks right into a right hook but trips Moreno back down to the mat with top control with about 90-seconds remaining in the round. Moreno ends up with top control but Pantoja is firing off elbow after elbow from the bottom! Both competitors decide to get back to their feet and Pantoja lands a left at the horn and this one is headed to the championship rounds.
Fightful scores this round 10-9 to Pantoja. 29-28 to Pantoja after three rounds.
Round Four - Pantoja opens the frame with a left hook. Moreno rocks Pantoja with a right hook, then a left hook in behind. Pantoja's leg kicks are starting to pile up and he trips Moreno down to the mat with a huge takedown! Moreno is back up, Pantoja clinches, and drags the champion right back down to the mat. Pantoja gets to side control, Moreno sprawls, Moreno is back up, Pantoja doesn't let go of the back, and continues to be clinched against Moreno's back. Moreno stays calm and trips Pantoja down to the mat. Moreno lands some shots form top position but Pantoja scrambles right back to his feet. Whittaker lands a 1-2, then a massive elbow at the horn as this one is headed to the fifth and final round.
Fightful scores this round 10-9 to Moreno. 39-37 to Pantoja after four rounds.
Round Five - Moreno pops the jab to open the final frame. Pantoja cracks the champion with a right hook but Moreno comes back with a heavy 1-2. Moreno lands a left hook, Pantoja comes back with a 1-2 of his own. Pantoja shoves Moreno against the fence and trips the champion down to the mat! Moreno gets back to his feet, Pantoja spins to the back and is now lifted whilst connected to Moreno's back. Pantoja is riding back control for the balance of the round here as the clock ticks under 30-45 seconds left in this round, and the horn sounds that'll send this one to the judge's scorecards.
Fightful scores this round 10-9 to Pantoja. 49-46 to Pantoja overall.
Result: (#2) Alexandre Pantoja def. Brandon Moreno (C) via split-decision (49-48, 46-49, 49-48) — UFC Flyweight Championship
(#2) Robert Whittaker vs. (#5) Dricus Du Plessis
Round One - Whittaker opens the action with a low kick. Du Plessis whiffs on a high kick and gets shoved down to the mat by Whittaker. The former champion lands a few shots from the top but Du Plessis scrambles back to his feet. Du Plessis lands a 1-2, then a straight right as Whittaker wallops him with a right hook. Du Plessis trips Whittaker to the mat and immediately has side control. Du Plessis lands a flurry of shots as Whittaker scrambles himself back to full guard. Du Plessis transitions back to side control and starts firing down heavy shots from the top until the horn and Whittaker was potentially saved by the bell!
Fightful scores this round 10-9 to Du Plessis.
Round Two - Du Plessis opens the second round with a low kick. Whittaker pops the jab and follows it up with a 1-2. Du Plessis sends Whittaker down with a right hook! Whittaker pops back up but Du Plessis is relentless in his attack! Du Plessis cracks Whittaker with another right hook and mixes in a few shots to the body, some more back up top, and this one is waved off! Statement win from Dricus Du Plessis!
Result: (#5) Dricus Du Plessis def. (#2) Robert Whittaker via TKO (punches) (2:23, R2)
(#11) Jalin Turner def. (#12) Dan Hooker
Round One - A quick shot below the belt from Hooker quickly halts the start of this one. Turner gives the thumbs up and this one is quickly back underway. Turner lands a 1-2, Hooker returns fire with a leg kick, but Turner lands a side kick to the body for good measure. Hooker pops the jab and changes levels but Turner shoved him aside. Hooker lands a straight right hand and goes for a head kick but Turner catches it and cracks Hooker with a right hook. Turner lands a stabbing front kick to the body, Hooker comes back with a 1-2, and the horn sounds to end an eventful opening frame.
Fightful scores this round 10-9 to Turner.
Round Two - Turner lands a front kick to the body to start. Turner rips a right hook to the body as Hooker whiffs on his counter 1-2. Hooker finds a home for a low kick but Turner comes back with a head kick that lands! Hooker latches on, Turner shoved him back and lands a 1-2, then a side kick to the body, and Hooker's face a bloodied up mess. Turner cracks Hooker with a right hook then just misses another head kick. Hooker lands a right hook, Turner returns fire with a left hook, but Hooker rushes forward with a flurry of shots and Turner is now hurt! Hooker lands a knee to the body, trips Turner down to the mat, and has the rear-naked choke locked in, but the horn sounds to potentially save Jalin Turner after a wild round!
Fightful scores this round 10-9 to Turner. 20-18 to Turner after two rounds.
Round Three - Hooker looks for a takedown but Turner nails him with a front kick tk the body. Hooker pushes the pace and lands a 1-2, then a low kick, then a pair of jabs back up top. Turner dives in and secures the double leg takedown! Hooker starts up-kicking and uses them to get right back to his feet. Turner snaps Hooker's head back with a straight right but Hooker sends Turner down to the mat with a flurry of shots! Hooker rushes over and looks for the finish but steps into side control after some nice defense by Turner. Now in full guard, both competitors look to be using some time here to recover for one final hurrah. Hooker's landing some nice, short, shots to the body as Turner scoots his way to the fence in a seated position as the clock ticks under one minute remaining in this one. Hooker stands and starts landing some heavy shots from the top now as Hooker is just pouring blood all over Turner. Both competitors are back to their feet, Turner lands a side kick to the body, then misses a 1-2 as Hooker whiffs on a left hand, and this one is headed to the judge's scorecards!
Fightful scores this round 10-9 to Hooker. 29-28 to Turner overall.
Result: (#12) Dan Hooker def. (#11) Jalin Turner via split-decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Bo Nickal vs. Val Woodburn
Round One - Nickal cracks Woodburn with a right hook and Woodburn is hurt! Nickal continues to throw fire and Woodburn goes down and out after a left uppercut! Bo Nickal is FOR REAL!
Result: Bo Nickal def. Val Woodburn via TKO (punches) (0:38, R1)
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