UFC 290 Picks: Volkanovski vs Rodriguez
The upcoming UFC 290 event this weekend has been highly anticipated, as it promises to deliver an exceptional night of thrilling fights that fans simply cannot afford to miss. Headlining the main card, we have Alexander Volkanovski defending his title against Yair Rodriguez. Additionally, the event will feature an exciting matchup between Brandon Moreno and Alexandre Pantoja, as well as a bout between Robert Whittaker and Dricus du Plessis. In this UFC 290 Picks: Volkanovski vs Rodriguez article, I’ll tell you all you need to know about this fight, the best places to get the greatest odds, and where to watch it live.
Alexander Volkanovski: Fighter History
Alexander Volkanovski is undoubtedly one of the UFC’s most accomplished fighters in recent years. If you’re not familiar with his story, you’re missing out on a wealth of interesting details. Volkanovski made his UFC debut in 2016 and has only suffered a single defeat against Islam Makhachev. However, he has emerged victorious in every other fight, facing formidable opponents such as Max Holloway, whom he has defeated not once but three times, Brian Ortega, and José Aldo. Volkanovski is renowned for his relentless pace and unwavering resilience when confronted with challenging circumstances. Volkanovski has recorded 12 knockouts, 3 submissions, and 10 victories by decision.
Yair Rodriguez: Fighter History
Yair Rodriguez is a Mexican fighter who has experienced significant growth in recent years since joining the UFC in 2014. Although it took him some time to make a name for himself in the sport, Rodriguez has emerged as one of the top contenders in his division. His recent success comes as no surprise, as he has won 10 out of his last 12 fights in the UFC. In his most recent bout, he defeated Josh Emmett, and prior to that, he secured victories against Brian Ortega. However, he suffered a loss to Max Holloway before the Ortega fight. Throughout his career, Rodriguez has recorded 5 knockouts, 4 submissions, and 6 wins by decision.
When is the Alexander Volkanovski vs Yair Rodriguez Fight?
The event will take place on Saturday, July 8 from the T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas. The main card is available via pay-per-view on UFC Fight Pass on BELL, Rogers, Shaw, SaskTel, Videotron, Telus, and Eastlink.
Have a look at our best online sportsbooks if you intend to bet on the UFC 290: Volkanovski vs Rodriguez, or any other event.
How will the fight play out?
Alexander Volkanovski is a highly strategic fighter who exhibits great control over his fights. This was evident in his bout against Jose Aldo, where Volkanovski’s constant movement restricted Aldo’s opportunities to counter. Considering Volkanovski’s impressive grappling skills, it is likely that he will employ takedowns and attempt to push his opponent towards the fence, allowing him to dictate the fight from that position. If Volkanovski manages to close the distance, he may have the upper hand and dominate the fight.
When considering Yair Rodriguez, it’s worth noting his slight height advantage over Volkanovski. This factor can work to his benefit, granting Rodriguez improved control over the fight’s range, particularly with his leg kicks. Moreover, Rodriguez possesses remarkable takedown defence, which, in my opinion, stands as one of the best in his division. Given these factors, I have a strong intuition that Rodriguez will leverage his leg kicks to exploit Volkanovski’s vulnerabilities, thereby creating openings for impactful punches.
It’s always hard to predict the outcome between these two fighters. However, if I had to choose, I would go with Alexander Volkanovski to win the fight.
My Pick: Alexander Volkanovski to win the fight in the third round. The best odds at the time of writing are at iBet with -417.
Alexander Volkanovski vs Yair Rodriguez Betting Odds
Here are the match-winner odds.
| Bookie | Alexander Volkanovski Moneyline | Yair Rodriguez Moneyline |
|---|---|---|
| iBet | -417 | +325 |
| PowerPlay Sports | -400 | +280 |
| BetDukes | -385 | +290 |
| BetOBet | -407 | +283 |
Alexander Volkanovski Stats
- Nationality: Australian
- Born: September 29, 1988
- Nickname: The Great
- Birthplace: Wollongong, Australia
- Height: 5′ 6″ / 1.68 m
- Total fights: 27
- Record: 25-2-0
Yair Rodriguez Stats
- Nationality: Mexican
- Born: October 6, 1992
- Nickname: El Pantera
- Birthplace: Parral, Mexico
- Height: 5′ 11″ / 1.80 m
- Total fights: 20
- Record: 16-3-1
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