UFC 290: A Land Down Under in Las Vegas

UFC 290 on July 8 marks the conclusion of International Fight Week 2023. A stacked card headlined by the Australian UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski as he takes on Mexico’s own and interim UFC featherweight champion Yair Rodriguez. Including the featherweight champion, the card will include 5 fighters from the land down under. 

UFC flyweight Shannon Ross will start the night off for the guys down under. He takes on fellow Dana White’s Contender Series graduate Jesus Aguilar. Ross is coming off of a tough loss against Kleydson Rodrigues at UFC 284. He will be looking to get his first win under the UFC banner against Aguilar on Saturday. 

Opening up the preliminary card will be an electrifying rematch between light heavyweights Jimmy Crute and Alonzo Menifield. The pair fought back in February at UFC 284 with the bout resulting in a draw. The UFC decided to re-book the fight for International Fight Week as Jimmy Crute will look to score a win for the guys down under.

Entering the main card, New Zealand lightweight Dan Hooker will look to remain in the win column against the young and hungry Jalin Turner. Turner missed weight as he came in at 158 pounds. A key matchup for both men as a win can get them back on track for title contention. 

Following the lightweight barnburner, a key ranked matchup in the middleweight division. Australia’s very own and former undisputed champion Robert Whittaker will look to stop the surging South African contender Dricus Du Plessis. Whittaker comes in as a favorite but Du Plessis can never be counted out. A win here for either of these guys will likely get them a shot at middleweight gold. Whittaker received a warm welcome during the press conference and ceremonial weigh-ins and will look to carry that energy on Saturday night.

Enter the main event. UFC featherweight champion and the pride of Australia Alexander Volkanovski will look to retain his undisputed belt against the newly crowned interim champion Yair Rodriguez. Volkanovski mentioned that Rodriguez poses threats that his former opponents did not. He’s going to have to stay composed against Rodriguez’s unorthodox style. A win here and Australia’s own may well become the UFC Featherweight GOAT.