International Fight Week is one of the most anticipated fight cards of the entire year and this year is no different.
UFC 290 has a real Aussie and Kiwi flavour to it with many compatriots under the bright lights of the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Our full UFC 290: Volkanovski vs Rodriguez Tips & Preview can be found below.
Alexander Volkanovski vs Yair Rodriguez
Tip: Alexander Volkanovski by KO/TKO @ $3.75
Alexander Volkanovski is the best Featherweight of all time and there are now few people that argue that point.
In his winning streak in the division he has beaten Chad Mendes, Jose Aldo, Max Holloway x3 and Brian Ortega which makes it a hard argument to make against.
His only UFC loss?
When he attempted to go up a division and fight a guy that was not only champion at 155 pounds, but probably weighed more like 170 by the time of the fight.
On that same card in Perth Yair Rodriguez solidified his position as next in line for Volk in the Featherweight division by defeating Josh Emmett to win the Interim title.
Why an Interim title was on the line is anyone’s guess but here we are.
I honestly think Yair Rodriguez poses the toughest test that Volk has faced in this division for a little while and I still can’t see a pathway to victory for Rodriguez.
He battered The Korean Zombie until the referee waved the fight off and I see a similar result this weekend.
Brandon Moreno vs Alexandre Pantoja
Tip: Alexandre Pantoja @ $2.70
The UFC Flyweight title will be on the line in the co-man event in Las Vegas on Sunday (AEDT).
It’s not often that the challenger comes in with a 2-0 record against the champion but that is the case in this fight.
Pantoja defeated Moreno in their first bout in The Ultimate Fighter via submission back in 2016 and then via unanimous decision when they met for a second time in 2018.
We all know how much Moreno has improved, losing only once since their last meeting, including winning the title twice but it is evident that Pantoja is a different fighter as well.
Pantoja not only has knock out power but is a real threat on the canvas which is evident by his 10 submission victories.
The price available for a guy that has a 2-0 record over his opponent is incredible value and that is the best betting play in this fight.
Rob Whittaker vs Dricus Du Plessis
Tip: Fight To Go The Distance @ $2.60
The Australian card in September is still without a headline fight but that may change after this fight.
Israel Adesanya likely awaits the winner of this fight and both men are aware of what is on the line.
Not only is Rob Whittaker ‘The Reaper’ but he has been the gatekeeper for a Middleweight division in which he was once champion.
He has only two losses to his name since early 2014, both came at the hands of Izzy.
Dricus Du Plessis is the new blood of the division and he has entered title contention off the back of seven pro wins in a row, five of which have been in the UFC.
Six of those seven wins have been via stoppage and while both men will be looking for an early night in order to back up quickly for Sydney, the value lies in this one going to a decision.