UFC 290 LIVE: Volkanovski vs Yair Rodriguez results
Re-live updates from two titles fights and a stacked undercard in Las Vegas
Alexander Volkanovski continued his dominant run atop the UFC featherweight division on Saturday, stopping interim champion Yair Rodriguez to unify the titles.
Volkanovski controlled the Mexican on the mat for most of the first two rounds, and just when Rodriguez began to flicker into life in the striking exchanges, Volkanovski fired back with a hard right hook to set up a ground-and-pound finish in Round 3.
In the co-main event, Alexandre Pantoja won a thrilling, back-and-forth battle with Brandon Moreno, taking the flyweight title from the Mexican with a split-decision win. The victory also saw the Brazilian move to 3-0 against two-time champion Moreno, whom Pantoja also beat in 2016 and 2018.
Earlier in the night, South Africa’s Dricus Du Plessis stunned Robert Whittaker, beating the ex-middleweight champion via TKO before facing off with reigning title holder Israel Adesanya in a heated exchange. All the while, ex-US president Donald Trump watched on from ringside.
Also, former welterweight champion Robbie Lawler won his retirement fight by knocking out Niko Price inside the first minute, Dan Hooker outpointed Jalin Turner despite suffering a broken arm, and Bo Nickal knocked out Val Woodburn to move to 5-0 with a fifth first-round finish. Re-live UFC 290 below.
UFC 290: Yazmin Jauregui vs Denise Gomes
Round 1
OH, IT’S OVER BEFORE IT BEGINS!
Gomes catches Jauregui with a hard overhand right and a right hook, dropping her opponent!
She then starts swarming Jauregui with more punches, until referee Jason Herzog decides he’s seen enough!
Jauregui’s 0 is gone. An upset win for Gomes.
UFC 290: Yazmin Jauregui vs Denise Gomes
Mexico’s Jauregui enters this one with a record of 10-0, while Brazilian Gomes is 7-2.
Here we go!
UFC 290: Yazmin Jauregui vs Denise Gomes
Next up, Yazmin Jauregui faces Denise Gomes in a women’s strawweight bout.
UFC 290: Jimmy Crute vs Alonzo Menifield
Round 2
Again Crute stumbles after eating a right hand from Menifield, who then lands a sharp jab and a hook.
The hook seems to hurt Crute, who shoots for a takedown! Again Menifield defends well, sprawling... and going for a guillotine choke, with his back to the fence.
The fighters move out into the open... AND THERE’S THE TAP! Menifield gets it done in Round 2!
UFC 290: Jimmy Crute vs Alonzo Menifield
Round 1
Both men stand orthodox. There’s a little bit of inactivity early on, to the frustration of the Vegas crowd, until Menifield sends Crute sprawling with a quick one-two to the head!
Crute regains his footing, and he doesn’t seem too shaken up. He gradually gets back to pressing forward. Menifield stings him with a right cross.
Crute shoots for a takedown, but Menifield sprawls well to deny the Australian! The light-heavyweights grapple against the fence, with Crute unloading a couple of elbows.
Eventually Menifield creates space and slings some punches Crute’s way, but the grappling resumes before long. Crute with knees to the body from inside the clinch.
UFC 290: Jimmy Crute vs Alonzo Menifield
First up, Jimmy Crute takes on Alonzo Menifield in a light-heavyweight clash, five months after the pair fought to a majority draw in Crute’s native Australia.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies