UFC 290: Volk Still a Champ, Pantoja Beats Moreno, Ruthless Du Plessis

Alexander Volkanovski defended his UFC featherweight title, beating Yair Rodriguez in the main event of the UFC 290. In other battles, Alexandre Pantoja took the belt from Brandon Moreno, while Dricus du Plessis knocked out Robert Whittaker, scheduling the bout with Israel Adesanya.

Also, Robbie Lawler ended his magnificent MMA career with a KO win over Niko Price.

Volk Still Reigns the Featherweight

The Aussie knocked out Yair Rodriguez in the third round, proving he is untouchable in the UFC featherweight division. Volk delivered a right hook to Rodriguez’s chin, shaking the rival, and after that, unleashed a flurry of punches with the Mexican on the ground, forcing to referee in the octagon to step in and stop the bout at 4:19 of the sequence. 

“I’m the king of this division,” Volkanovski said after the fight. “No one is ever stopping me.”

Volkanovski exchanges words with Ilia Topuria after our #UFC290 main event! 👀 pic.twitter.com/JNmoRJlm8c

— UFC (@ufc) July 9, 2023

He was much better than the challenger throughout the entire time, making the Mexican pay for every mistake. Yes, El Panthera did have his moments, but they were short, and the retaliation from the other side was almost immediate.

Rodriguez was trying to keep the distance between him and the champ with leg kicks, but Volk’s speed is simply unmatched and there was no way for the challenger to do anything noticeable.

Pantoja Beats Moreno Again, Takes the Title

Brandon Moreno lost his flyweight title in his first defense. Alexandre Pantoja is the new champ, after a split-decision victory. For some, this is an unfair outcome, but it is what it is, as the Brazilian managed to stop his rival from dictating his own pace and tempo, which largely influenced the judges’ decision. 

Two of them scored in Pantoja’s favor, 48-47, and one for Moreno, 49-46. We need to add that Moreno broke his hand in the first round, but he endured until the final horn. The Baby Assasin outpunched the rival 167-161, yet Pantoja was better on the mat, having more takedowns and more time in control.

“The last two years, I worked so hard, bringing my family to the U.S. [from Brazil] and my camp to American Top Team. … Guys, if you know my story, you’re gonna love me. I’ve worked so hard for that,” Pantoja stated.

Du Plessis Rocks Whittaker, Now Awaits Adesanya

Dricus Du Plessis knocked out the former middleweight champ, Robert Whittaker. The South African’s raw power emerged in the second round at 2:23, once he sent a straight jab that sent Whittaker to the ground and made him vulnerable. 

Afterward, we saw Du Plessis hitting the rival with a vicious body uppercut, and Whittaker crumbled to the ground with the judge stepping in to save the Kiwi from further beating. 

Dricus du Plessis vs Robert Whittaker full fight from #UFC290
WHAT A PERFORMANCE! https://t.co/3T70Ii0peA

— AlAudhli 𝕏 العوذلي (@AAudhli) July 9, 2023

Immediately following the announcement ceremony, Adesanya stepped into the ring to make some trash talk with his future rival, calling him names and stuff, increasing the hype. 

This was the sixth UFC win for Du Plessis and the fifth via stoppage.

Robbie Lawler Call It Quits

One of the MMA greats, Robbie Lawler, knocked out Niko Price in the first round of their meeting at the UFC 290, finishing his magnificent career in the best possible way. 

What a KO by Robbie Lawler #UFC290 https://t.co/SmXC6k0jjX

— BlitzburghUSAVideos (@sdextrasmedia) July 9, 2023

After six defeats in his last eight battles and an obvious slowdown, Lawler went into legend in a respectful and deserving matter. After 30 wins in 47 fights, the former UFC welterweight champion called it quits.