Alexander Volkanovski vs Yair Rodriguez 7/8/2023 Predictions, Free Picks and Odds
It’s hard to imagine, but the UFC’s annual International Fight Week extravaganza, which usually concludes with the promotion’s most significant event, is already just around the corner. This year’s event is UFC 290, filling the T-Mobile Arena on July 8 in Las Vegas.
Given that 2023 is still young, it is difficult to predict if this will be remembered as the UFC’s most significant occasion of the year. But notwithstanding, it’s unquestionably a big event, highlighted by two championship fights and several notable contests against noteworthy competitors.
Undisputed featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski (25-2), regarded as one of the best pound-for-pound competitors in the sport, and challenger Yair Rodrguez (15-3) will compete for the division’s interim champion.
In the co-main event, Brandon Moreno will go against his longtime foe Alexandre Pantoja to defend the flyweight belt. Robert Whittaker and Dricus Du Plessis will square off in what seems to be a middleweight championship eliminator, and Jalin Turner and Dan Hooker will face off in a fan-friendly lightweight contenders’ fight before the titles are put up for grabs. Bo Nickal, a highly anticipated middleweight prospect, will face Tresean Gore in the main event, while an intriguing mix of previous champions and hot contenders are on the undercard.
The Unstoppable Reign: Alexander Volkanovski’s Undefeated Legacy Collides with the Ultimate Challenge
Alexander Volkanovski of Australia enters the bout with MMA and UFC records of 25-1 and 12-0, respectively. He was born on September 29, 1988, and competed in mixed martial arts. He competes in the Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and is the current UFC Featherweight Champion. He formerly held the Australian Fighting Championship (AFC) Featherweight title. Before making his UFC debut, Volkanovski competed as a professional boxer in 2015. As of March 7, 2023, he is #2 in the UFC men’s pound-for-pound rankings.
Volkanovski has a 71.5″ reach. On July 2, 2022, he defeated Max Holloway by decision at Bang Tao Muay Thai in Thailand. Alex uses stances and striking techniques from Freestyle MMA Orthodox and Kickboxing.
There aren’t many greater fights than Alexander Volkanovski vs Yair Rodriguez. This year began with Volkanovski, a veteran featherweight champion, as the sport’s undisputed pound-for-pound leader. With that standing, he could move up to lightweight to compete against lightweight champion Islam Makhachev for a second championship at UFC 284 in February. However, after five tough rounds, the Russian powerhouse prevailed by a narrow decision.
Alexander Volkanovski vs Yair Rodriguez 7/8/2023 Predictions, Free Picks and Odds
Yair Rodriguez: Mexico’s Knockout Maestro, Lights Up the Octagon
That night, Rodriguez won Josh Emmett in a smooth submission fight, becoming the interim featherweight title. The accomplishment is astounding, given that Rodriguez is one of the UFC’s flashiest knockout artists.
The UFC didn’t need to establish an interim featherweight belt. Volkanovski made it clear before his battle with Makhachev that, win or lose, he would shortly return to featherweight. However, the interim championship increased the importance of Rodriguez’s contest with the Australian and allowed him to compete for the undisputed crown.
Yair Raziel Rodriguez Portillo is a Mexican mixed martial artist born on October 6, 1992. He is the current Interim UFC Featherweight Champion and fights in the Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Rodrguez joined the UFC in 2014 after taking first place in the featherweight competition of The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America.
On October 10, 2011, at Mexican Fighter Promotions 8, Rodrguez competed professionally in his first mixed martial arts (MMA) match. He defeated Jonatan Guzmán by unanimous decision. He squared off against Carlos Ricardo at Supreme Cage Fighting One on March 10, 2012. He prevailed by triangle choke submission in the third round.
Yair “El Pantera” Rodriguez, with a professional MMA record of 13 wins, three defeats, and one no-contest, is the current #3 rated UFC Featherweight fighter. Rodriguez is a past PMP Featherweight Champion with a taekwondo yellow belt.
Alexander Volkanovski vs Yair Rodriguez. It’s an eternally intriguing clash on paper. One of the most versatile fighters in MMA today, Volkanovski is equally successful on his feet as he is on the ground and is a solid defensive fighter everywhere. But he will need to be flawless for the whole battle and avoid being complacent for even a moment against Rodrguez, who has shown he can terminate bouts in a blink from any position.
Volkanovski can outbox the interim champion, and we anticipate he’ll attempt to submit the opponent on the ground. Even Rodriguez, who has had eight takedowns in his past four fights, may be taken down by the current UFC Featherweight champion. This phenomenal wrestler can take down practically any opponent.
Prediction: Volkanovski listed as a sizeable -410 favorite over Rodríguez (+330)
Location: T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada
Date: Saturday, July 08, 2023
Main Card: 10:00 PM ET
Prelims: 8:00 PM ET
Watch on: ESPN and ESPN+
