International Fight Week has arrived once again, and with it UFC 290, capping off a week including the annual fan expo, UFC Hall of Fame induction ceremony, and this year, because why not, a Power Slap event.
Jokes about the latter aside, there are some very interesting storylines and promising fights on the UFC 290 card. At featherweight, champ Alexander Volkanovski looks to unify the 145lb title against interim champ Yair Rodriguez, crowned while the Australian was moonlighting at lightweight. In the co-main event, meanwhile, Rodriguez’s compatriot, Brandon Moreno, looks to defend his flyweight title against Brazil’s Alexandre Pantoja — a fighter with two existing wins over the champ.
If you aren’t interested in the title fights topping the card, there is still an all-but-official title eliminator between Robert Whittaker and Dricus Du Plessis, and the retirement fight for former welterweight champion Robbie Lawler, against Niko Price. Lawler, as well as retiring, was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame’s Fight Wing during International Fight Week, for his classic with Rory MacDonald.
A couple of highly touted prospects are also on the UFC card, with both Jack Della Maddalena and Bo Nickal set to return.
Weigh-ins as always go down Friday morning in Las Vegas, with ceremonials kicking off later in the day. Check below for results.
Just one fighter hit the scales heavy on Friday morning, as Jailin Turner, weighing in towards the end of the window, came in two pounds over for his lightweight fight with Dan Hooker.
UFC 290: Volkanovski vs. Rodriguez Weigh-In Results
Featherweight: Alexander Volkanovski (c) (144.5) vs. Yair Rodríguez (ic) (145) — for the UFC featherweight championship
Flyweight: Brandon Moreno (c) (125) vs. Alexandre Pantoja (125) — for the UFC flyweight championship
Middleweight: Robert Whittaker (185.5) vs. Dricus du Plessis (186)
Lightweight: Jalin Turner (158)* vs. Dan Hooker (155.5)
Middleweight: Bo Nickal (186) vs. Val Woodburn (185.5)
Preliminary card
Welterweight: Robbie Lawler (170.5) vs. Niko Price (171)
Welterweight: Jack Della Maddalena (171) vs. Josiah Harrell (170.5)
Women’s Strawweight: Yazmin Jauregui (115.5) vs. Denise Gomes (115.5)
Light Heavyweight: Jimmy Crute (205) vs. Alonzo Menifield (205.5)
Early preliminary card
130lb Catchweight: Tatsuro Taira (126) vs. Edgar Cháirez (129)
Light Heavyweight: Vitor Petrino (206) vs. Marcin Prachnio (206)
Bantamweight: Cameron Saaiman (135) vs. Terrence Mitchell (135)
Flyweight: Shannon Ross (126) vs. Jesús Santos Aguilar (126)
Lightweight: Kamuela Kirk (155.5) vs. Esteban Ribovics (156)
Flyweight: Brandon Royval (125) – back-up fighter
* Turner weighed in two pounds over the lightweight limit for his fight with Dan Hooker. The fight moves forward at a catchweight, with Turner forfeiting 20% of his purse.
