UFC 290: Alexander Volkanovski retains featherweight title with stoppage victory over Yair Rodriguez

Alexander Volkanovski retained his featherweight crown at UFC 290 in Las Vegas with a stunning stoppage win over Mexico’s Yair Rodriguez. The Australian was on top throughout and finished Rodriguez with a barrage of punches on the ground in the third round to notch up his fifth title defence, before declaring he would require surgery. Ad “I knew that right hook would be pretty good,” Volkanovski said.

“Even though he was very dangerous on the feet, I knew I could go on the feet or on the ground. UFCStrickland improves to 27-5 with TKO win over Magomedov in UFC Vegas 7603/07/2023 AT 08:35 “I’m really coming for all them records. I’m pretty close to knocking off a few of those.

The sky’s the limit. «I'll be completely honest with you, I need a bit of surgery on my arm. I’ll make sure I stay fit in recovery and I’ll be back soon.

I want that lightweight belt. I’m still coming for that. Whoever’s next.” ‘Volko’ came into the fight on the back of a loss as he attempted to dethrone middleweight kingpin Islam Makhachev and become a double world champion, but there were no signs that defeat had affected his confidence on his return to his natural division.

He started on the front foot and stayed there throughout, although Rodriguez, the interim champion, had some bright moments. In the second and third rounds, the Mexican found a home for some of his kicks as he looked for a chink in his opponent’s armour. It was, however, in vain, as Volkanovski proved too strong for the 30-year-old.