video review : UFC 290

video review : UFC 290

Without even factoring in Robbie Lawler’s “perfect” career-ending victory over Niko Price or any of the other impressive knockouts from the Prelims, UFC 290 stands as one of their better events. Newcomer Bo Nickal actually matches Lawler by taking out his opponent in the same amount of time. A revamped Dan Hooker also impresses with a split decision victory over Jalin Turner.

The biggest surprise of the night, other than Dana White arriving with President Trump, is Robert Whittaker’s second-round TKO loss to Dricus Du Plessis, though it’s no surprise to Du Plessis. He predicted he’d do exactly what he did. Still it’s odd seeing Whittaker lose to someone other than Israel Adesanya, who promotes his upcoming bout with Du Plessis with a post-fight encounter.

What ends up being perhaps the best fight is the one I cared the least about; Flyweight Champion Brandon Moreno putting his belt on the line against Alexandre Pantoja. Pantoja beat him twice before and does it again here, but they’re well matched. The main event goes about as I expected with Alexander Volkanovski retaining his (Featherweight) title relatively easily against Yair Rodríguez.

my rating : 4 of 5

2023

video review : The Korean Zombie versus Yair Rodríguez at UFC Fight Night

video review : The Korean Zombie versus Yair Rodríguez at UFC Fight Night

This bout is action-packed from the opening clap. It’s a barrage of back and forth kicks and punches featuring two of the best strikers in the Featherweight division. Yair Rodríguez wows the crowd with his flashy maneuvers, but Chan Sung Jung; The Korean Zombie; ultimately outstrikes him.

It looks like he’ll probably win a decision victory, but “I think you can expect something off the wall here towards the end of this fight from Rodríguez,” Paul Felder declares. With about a second left in the final round, we get just that. Yair Rodríguez lands an elbow uppercut and wins via knockout.

my rating : 4 of 5

2018