UFC 290 Volkanovski Undisputed Again
The featured attraction of UFC International Fight Week 2022 UFC 290 will be remembered as the night Volkanovski reminded the Featherweights who’s ruling over the Division.
In the main event Alexander would again show his greatness. The first two rounds would see Volkanovski put Rodriguez on his back causing damage and draining his foes gas tank. The third round would be a striking battle with Volkanovski landing his left hook. Rodriguez countering back with leg and teep kicks. A big right hook from the reigning champion followed by a double leg slam would would give Volkanovski the green light to fire punches till the ref jumped in.
A new Flyweight champion of the world was crowned by the thinest of margins. Alexandre Pantoja would make his mark on the fight early scoring a knockdown and having time on Moreno’s back. Moreno would battle back with his jab and left hook drawing blood. Pantoja racking up takedowns and finishing the fight has he started it on Moreno’s back. A split decision is how the judges saw it.
A Middleweight title shot was on the line in the featured fight. Dricus Du Plessi would separate himself from Whittaker at the end of a close round by getting on top and dropping down damaging elbows. A healthy dose of leg kicks disable the Whitaker movement, leaving him open, as du Plessis came in with a power jab staggering the former champion. The South African would close in on the Australian ripping off a combination of hooks that dropped Whittaker and ended when the ref jumped in. World champion Israel Adesanya was in attendance an entered the octagon to acknowledge his new challenger. The two men born on the same continent have no love lost for each. A heated exchange of words ensued and the ground work has been lay for this rivalry to begin.
Top 15 ranked Lightweights number 12 Dan Hooker & number 11 Jalin Turner engaged in a sea-saw like battle. Turner start the fire off well landing his right hands and teep kick up the middle. During the second round Hooker found his left hook and point Turner on the back foot. Turner gave the last of his energy to put Hooker away in the first minute of the third round. The next four minutes would be Hooker use his pressure and score a takedown to earn a split decision win.
The hype machine will only continue to roll and grew as Bo Nickal maintained his perfect first round finishing rate. Short notice opponent Val Woodburn didn’t even touch Nickal. A five- punch combination froze Woodburn up, with a left hook connecting for the knockout.
In the final prelim of the night Robbie Lawler finished the last chapter of his career with a storybook ending. Lawler would clip Niko Price with a right hand getting into the clinch three left hands landed leaving price laying on the canvas 38 seconds into the contest.
Japanese prospect Tatsuro Taira kept his unbeaten in tack winning a unanimous decision over Edgar Chairez. Taira secured takedowns in each of the three rounds. Even with the fight where he wanted is Chairez was a game opponent nearly pulling off an incredible comeback having a guillotine choke locked in at the final bell.
The nights first real upset came as Denise Gomes put the first blemish on Yazmin Jauregui’s record. The Brazilian fighter came out on fire landing two right hands to knocking down Jauregui. She would attempt to recover but Gomes would fire off position like lefts to force the stoppage.
Five months ago Jimmy Crute & Alonzo Menifield fought to a draw. Neither man happy with the result a rematch was quick agreed upon. Menifield made sure to leave the judges out of it this time locking in a guillotine choke as Crute was attempting a single leg takedown. Crute would drop to his back but was unable to escape and a tap would soon follow. For Menifield that was the second submission win of his career and both have come by rear naked choke.
Brazilian Light-Heavyweight Vitor Petrino made it 2-0 inside the octagon. Petrino launch high kicks early before switching strategy to implement his grappling. Petrino would sink in a head an arm choke for the tap almost four minutes into the third round.
The first round finish continues as Cameron Saaiman took the back of Terrence Mitchell flattening his opponent out and punching to the finish. Driving home the expectations for the highly touted South African bantamweight. Jesus Aguilar got his first UFC win in a spectacular fashion flattening Shannon Ross with an overhand right 17 seconds into the first round.
The card started off with Esteban Ribovics defeating Kamuela Kirk by unanimous decision. Kirk controlled the first round after a takedown. Ribovics would come back in the second and third wearing down Kirk with big hooks and occasional body shots.
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