The UFC have put together a huge UFC 290 card for international fight week topped with two elite title fights at featherweight and flyweight. Across the card are many fighters waiting to break out into the limelight.
Featherweight King Alexander Volkanovski
One of the greatest fighters to grace the sport not just today but ever, Alexander Volkanovski looks for his fifth defence of his featherweight belt at UFC 290 when he takes on striking dynamo Yair Rodriguez. The man is already a huge name in the sport but headlining the international fight week card will grow his name further. However, Volkanovski was controversially defeated in his last fight with Islam Makhachev for the lightweight strap. Many wonder how he will look now after his first UFC loss.
In his last featherweight bout Volkanovski put on one of the greatest performances we have seen in recent years against Max Holloway, a perfect 50-45 decision victory on all score cards showed a step up to the next level that Holloway could not compete with. Rodriguez is one of the sports most unorthodox and violent strikers, and for that reason the champion must remain switched on at all times.
Brandon Moreno Solidifying Greatness
Mexico’s first UFC champion Brandon Moreno was part of the first quadrilogy in UFC history against Deiveson Figueiredo and earned a passionate fanbase. Now climbing towards becoming one of the best ever flyweights a potential bogeyman from his past has returned. Alexandre Pantoja has beaten the champion twice in the past and now looks to make it three wins against the Mexican. The first bout was many years ago on TUF 24 in 2016 and the second 2 years later in Chile on a fight night. Since that last fight Moreno has fought ten times with a record of 7-1-2, the victories include a pair of wins over both Kai Kara-France and Deiveson Figueiredo. After inspiring everyone with his route to gold Moreno can inspire everyone once more with a victory over a past demon.
Jack Della Maddalena Remains
Astounding Australian star Jack Della Maddalena was originally booked against top 10 welterweight Sean Brady, however Brady was ruled out with an injury only a few days ago. Immediately fans campaigned to keep Maddalena on the card but the UFC were struggling to finalise an opponent on such short notice. Big names like Kevin Holland, Joaquin Buckley and Chris Curtis were all rumoured to be stepping in. However, it is Josiah Harrell who will be the opponent for Maddalena. The Ohio native will be making his UFC debut and has been a 100% finish rate in his 7-0 career but will have his work cut out with red hot Maddalena who is on a 14 fight win streak. A perfect 4-0 UFC record with four first round finishes proves he is ready for the upper echelon of welterweight and a title charge is in sight.
Mexican Prospect in Spotlight
Hailing from Tijuana alike champion Moreno, Yazmin Jauregui is a 10-0 strawweight looking to continue the hot streak of success for Mexican MMA when she takes on Denise Gomes aiming for a top 15 ranking. The card in Las Vegas has five Mexican fighters on display with two of them fighting for gold. As one of the undefeated prospects on the card Jauregui will be looking to make a statement in the spotlight to grab a ranking and start her climb towards UFC glory. At only 24 years old she is young in her MMA career and got her first UFC finish in December over Istela Nunes. A huge opportunity for Jauregui against Gomes who is 1-1 in the UFC.
Japanese Flyweight on our Radar
Japan have a rich and deep routed history in the sport. Tasturo Taira at 13-0 is one of the hottest prospects in the division alongside Muhammad Mokaev. Taira was booked for 24th June but his opponent missed weight, therefore he fights this weekend at UFC 290. Edgar Cháirez has stepped up to take on the rising star on short notice and try to halt the youngsters surge to the rankings. Taira brings a ferocious submission game to the table with 7 of his 13 wins coming by submission. Most recently winning via triangle armbar showing his brilliant versatility. The wonderkid will burst into the rankings with a big finish in the fight capital of the world.
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
