<p>After many months of waiting, International Fight Week is upon us.</p>
<p>This Sunday, we’ll be blessed with seeing the #2 Pound-for-Pound fighter (soon to be #1) and the greatest ever Australian combat sport athlete, Alexander Volkanovski head into the Octagon and reclaim his undisputed Featherweight championship belt.</p>
<p>It’s not only Volk making his way over from our shores. The Aussie contingent fighting at UFC 290 consists of Alexander Volkanovski, Robert Whittaker, Jack Della Maddalena, Jimmy Crute & Shannon Ross. There’s also Kiwi, Dan Hooker making his way over from across the Tasman.</p>
<p>Outside of the Aussie fighters, this is one of the most stacked UFC cards we’ve had in some time. 2 championship fights and a title eliminator for the middleweight belt will be decided as well as an action packed prelim card.</p>
<p>This is shaping up to be the biggest card of the year and you don’t want to miss out.</p>
<p>All the information you need to know is below, plus a few UFC 290 tips & predictions on how we think the day will play out.</p>
<h2>UFC 290</h2>
<p><strong>Location:</strong> T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, United States</p>
<p><strong>Date:</strong> Sunday 9th July 2023</p>
<p><strong>Odds:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/ufc-mma/ufc-290">Bet Here</a></p>
<p> </p>
<h3>Times</h3>
<p><strong>Early Preliminary Card:</strong> 8:00am</p>
<p><strong>Preliminary Card:</strong> 10:00am</p>
<p><strong>Main Card:</strong> 12:00pm</p>
<p> </p>
<h3>Schedule</h3>
<h4>Early Preliminary Card</h4>
<p><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/ufc-mma/ufc-290/kamuela-kirk-v-esteban-ribovics-7458062">Kamuela Kirk vs. Esteban Ribovics</a> (Lightweight)</p>
<p><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/ufc-mma/ufc-290/shannon-ross-v-jesus-aguilar-7458061">Shannon Ross vs. Jesús Santos Aguilar</a> (Flyweight) </p>
<p><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/ufc-mma/ufc-290/cameron-saaiman-v-terrence-mitchell-7470001">Cameron Saaiman vs. Terrence Mitchell</a> (Bantamweight)</p>
<p><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/ufc-mma/ufc-290/vitor-petrino-v-marcin-prachnio-7458063">Vitor Petrino vs. Marcin Prachnio</a> (Light Heavyweight)</p>
<p><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/ufc-mma/ufc-290/tatsuro-taira-v-edgar-chairez-7473613">Tatsuro Taira vs. Edgar Cháirez</a> (Catchweight 130lb)</p>
<h4>Preliminary Card</h4>
<p><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/ufc-mma/ufc-290/jimmy-crute-v-alonzo-menifield-7458064">Jimmy Crute vs. Alonzo Menifield</a> (Light Heavyweight)</p>
<p><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/ufc-mma/ufc-290/yazmin-jauregui-v-denise-gomes-7458065">Yazmin Jauregui vs. Denise Gomes</a> (Women’s Strawweight)</p>
<p><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/ufc-mma/ufc-290/jack-della-maddalena-v-josiah-harrell-7470608">Jack Della Maddalena vs. Josiah Harrell</a> (Welterweight)</p>
<p><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/ufc-mma/ufc-290/robbie-lawler-v-niko-price-7458066">Robbie Lawler vs. Niko Price</a> (Welterweight)</p>
<h4>Main Card</h4>
<p><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/ufc-mma/ufc-290/bo-nickal-v-valentine-woodburn-7477575">Bo Nickal vs. Val Woodburn</a> (Middleweight)</p>
<p><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/ufc-mma/ufc-290/jalin-turner-v-dan-hooker-7405520">Jalin Turner vs. Dan Hooker</a> (Lightweight)</p>
<p><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/ufc-mma/ufc-290/robert-whittaker-v-dricus-du-plessis-7309806">Robert Whittaker vs. Dricus du Plessis</a>v (Middleweight)</p>
<p><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/ufc-mma/ufc-290/brandon-moreno-v-alexandre-pantoja-7405521">Brandon Moreno (c) vs. Alexandre Pantoja</a> (Flyweight)</p>
<p><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/ufc-mma/ufc-290/alexander-volkanovski-v-yair-rodriguez-7207137">Alexander Volkanovski (c) vs. Yair Rodríguez (ic)</a> (Featherweight)</p>
<p> </p>
<h3>Where to Watch</h3>
<p><strong>Early Prelims & Prelims:</strong> Kayo & ESPN</p>
<p><strong>Main Card:</strong> MAIN EVENT (Foxtel) & Kayo (Pay-Per-View)</p>
<p> </p>
<h2>UFC 290 Tips & Predictions</h2>
<h3>Shannon Ross vs Jesus Aguilar</h3>
<p>The first fight we’ll dive into is Queenslander Shannon Ross taking on Jesus Aguilar in a flyweight bout in the early prelims.</p>
<p>Ross is 12-7 in his MMA career (0-1 in the UFC). He was awarded a contract after an appearance on Dana White’s Contender Series in which he lost but was later discovered that he had fought while battling appendicitis.</p>
<p>Both of these guys have had 1 fight in the UFC, and both lost in the opening round. Despite wanting to back Ross, who fights out of the Gold Coast, we don’t think he’s got the grappling skills to get this done. Aguilar is 8-2 in his career and has 6 submission wins. If things go the way they think they will, Aguilar will be walking away with a 7th tap-out to his name.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Tip:</strong> Jesus Santos Aguilar to Win via Submission</p>
<p> </p>
<h3>Jimmy Crute vs Alonzo Menifield</h3>
<p>The highly anticipated rematch between Jimmy Crute and Alonzo Menifield is here.</p>
<p>These guys fought back at UFC 284 in Perth with the fight ending in a draw. It was a fair decision by the judges in what was a very even fight which has no clear winner. Both guys are looking to bounce back here and get the much-needed win to get their careers back on track.</p>
<p>Alonzo Menifield wants to keep his run of good form going and a win here most likely means he cracks the top 15 rankings, While Jimmy ‘The Brute’ Crute is looking to get back into the winner’s circle after two losses back in 2021 and a 2022 spent recovering from knee reconstruction surgery.</p>
<p>Crute has well and truly shaken off the ring rust and we’re expecting a victory from the Bendigo native on Sunday.</p>
<p>Menifield is tough as nails and has only been KO’d once, so its hard to tell if Crute’s Bendigo Bombs will get the job done. This one should go the distance and we’re expecting Crute’s grappling experience will shine and help him land the decision victory.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Tip:</strong> Jimmy Crute to Win via Decision</p>
<p> </p>
<h3>Jack Della Maddalena vs Josiah Harrell</h3>
<p>For a guy whose face looks like it was hit with a frying pan, Jack Della Maddalena sure can fight. The Western Australian is probably the highest-touted Australian prospect in the UFC right now and for good reason. He’s torn through every opponent that’s been placed in front of him and he hasn’t lost a fight since 2016.</p>
<p>He’s facing the ‘Muscle Hamster’ Josiah Harrell. Harrell is a bit of an unknown. He’s making his UFC debut this Sunday off less than a weeks’ notice and a 3-week turnaround since his last fight, which saw him smash his opponent through the Octagon gate at LFA 160.</p>
<p>Josiah Harrell has gone viral after that clip and while its fun to watch, he hasn’t shown anything spectacular that makes you think he’s on the same level as a guy like Della Maddalena who won the UFC Rookie of the Year and has won his last 4 fights in the 1st Round.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Tip:</strong> Jack Della Maddalena to Win in the 1st Round.</p>
<p> </p>
<h3>Yazmin Jauregui vs Denise Gomes</h3>
<p>In the only female bout of the evening, strawweight prospects Yazmin Jauregui and Denise Gomes meet in what will be both their 3rd fight in the UFC.</p>
<p>The Mexican, Jauregui enters with a 10-0 record while the Brazilian Gomes is entering at 7-2. Both fighters have decent records with majority KO victories so expect this fight to stay on its feet. It’s hard to pick a winner but looking at records its hard to go past Yazmin Jauregui.</p>
<p>The real value here is this fight finishing within the 3 rounds.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Tip:</strong> Fight to NOT go the Distance</p>
<p> </p>
<h3>Robbie Lawler vs Niko Price</h3>
<p>UFC Legend Robbie Lawler makes his final ever appearance in the Octagon as he faces Niko Price in the final fight of the Prelims. For a fighter with the resume of Robbie Lawler it’s a real shame they couldn’t have him retire with a spot on the main card but that’s the way the cookie crumbles. Still at least we get to see him in action one more time.</p>
<p>Lawler is 41 and this will mark his 18th fight in the UFC, ending a 10-year UFC career. Despite his impressive history, Lawler has underperformed over the last 5 years, going 1-5. While not the best record, you can’t help but think he’ll have some extra incentive, wanting to finish his career on a high.</p>
<p>He faces Niko Price who currently has a 7-6 record in the UFC. Price has never been able to find a steady run of form to cement himself amongst the top tier of the division and his status as a journeyman fighter is pretty much set in stone.</p>
<p>Given the reputation of both fighters as brawlers, we’re expecting both guys to be swinging for the fences and an electric fight to wrap up the prelims and get things going for the main event.</p>
<p>This one won’t go the distance.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Tip:</strong> Fight to NOT go the Distance</p>
<p> </p>
<h3>Bo Nickal vs Tresean Gore</h3>
<p>Kicking off the main event is none other than Bo Nickal, a former US National Championship wrestler and the most promoted prospect the UFC has seen in some time.</p>
<p>Nickal was originally scheduled to fight Tresean Gore, but Gore was forced to withdraw due to injury. Replacing him is Valentine Woodburn, who’s making his UFC debut on only 5 days’ notice.</p>
<p>Wrestling has proven to be one of the strongest bases coming into the MMA and Bo Nickal has proven to be the best of the best (outside of Dagestan) when it comes to wrestling. Dana White and the UFC have been promoting Nickal hard and have copped some criticism for ‘curating’ his career and feeding him easy fights.</p>
<p>It’s a hard call to dispute as this will be Nickal’s second ever UFC fight and his second appearance on a major main event card.</p>
<p>Val Woodburn is 7-0 in his MMA career and was expected to fight on Dana White Contender Series in August, but he’s now got the call up to the big show. You have to respect him for taking the fight on such short notice and from fighting in regional shows in Florida to the main card on one of the biggest UFC events of the year.</p>
<p>This is arguably a better match up than Tresean Gore. Woodburn’s only 5’8 which is tiny for a middleweight, but he’s shown to be super athletic and an effective striker. He seems to have good takedown defence, but his opponents aren’t on the same level as Nickal.</p>
<p>He’s got a punchers chance but that’s all it is, a chance.</p>
<p>Nickal should get this done in the 1st round.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Tip: Bo Nickal to Win in Round 1 via Submission</p>
<p> </p>
<h3>Jalin Turner vs Dan Hooker</h3>
<p>Next up is the ‘Tarantula’ Jalin Turner taking on ‘The Hangman’ Dan Hooker in a highly anticipated lightweight bout. Hooker has struggled to find his feet in the lightweight division after he suffered his first ever Round 1 loss against Michael Chandler in devastating fashion. He’s had a few wins since then but fallen flat against the current champion Islam Makhachev and also experienced a surprising loss against Arnold Allen.</p>
<p>Jalin Turner had his 5-win streak ended in March when he controversially lost to Mateusz Gamrot in a split decision. He’ll be looking to bounce back against Dan Hooker and keep working his way up the lightweight rankings.</p>
<p>This should be a fun fight to watch if it stays on its feet. Turner has some unorthodox grappling methods which will work to his advantage if it gets taken to ground and his stand-up game isn’t too shabby either. If you remember Hooker’s 5-Round war against Dustin Poirier in 2020 you know he can throw hands with the best of them, it just depends on if he still has the chin for it.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Tip: Dan Hooker to Win via KO</p>
<p> </p>
<h3>Robert Whittaker vs Dricus Du Plessis</h3>
<p>This one’s going to be a doozy. We’ve got our very own Robert Whittaker taking on South African Dricus Du Plessis in a title eliminator bout, with the winner meeting Israel Adesanya in Sydney later this year at UFC 293 for a shot at the Middleweight belt.</p>
<p>If Whittaker wins, this will be his 3rd fight against Adesanya who’s so far had his number in every encounter. Whittaker is a former champion and since he lost the belt, he’s gone from strength to strength, and he’s looked unbeatable against everyone <em>but</em> Adesanya.</p>
<p>Dricus Du Plessis is the new kid on the block in the middleweight division and has made a name for himself with his explosive style and impressive physicality. He’s carving his way through the top 15 but faces his toughest challenge yet in Whittaker.</p>
<p>Despite the raw power of Du Plessis, Robert Whittaker has proven repeatedly that he’s on another level than all the other fighters in Middleweight. His technical skillset and defensive ability is going to be the catalyst in this fight and will be the reason he succeeds to take on Adesanya for the trilogy fight in September. Given Whittaker’s past performances, he’ll slowly chip away and unless he see’s an obvious opening he’ll fight his way to a decision victory.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Tip: Robert Whittaker to Win via Decision</p>
<p> </p>
<h3>Brandon Moreno vs Alexandre Pantoja</h3>
<p>The co-main event of the evening gives us a battle for the flyweight belt as current champion Brandon Moreno meets contender Alexandre Pantoja for 5-rounds of action in the Octagon.</p>
<p>Pantoja has been waiting patiently for this shot and he’s more than earned it despite a couple of losses to Deiveson Figueiredo and Askar Askarov, while this will be Moreno’s first title defence since winning the belt back from Deiveson Figueiredo in their quadrilogy fight back in January.</p>
<p>Do you know the expression ‘the more things change, the more they stay the same’? This very much applies to this fight. Moreno and Pantoja have already met back in 2018 and Pantoja absolutely teared him apart. He outworked him, outstriked him and his elite takedown defence took away Moreno’s greatest strength. With credit to Moreno, he’s grown considerably since that fight and has more than earned all that he’s won but as much as he’s changed, this will stay the same.</p>
<p>Pantoja is the underdog coming into the fight and there’s value in backing him. The one unknown will be the championship rounds and seeing how Pantoja fairs in his first fight ever going the full 5 rounds (if it makes it that far).</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Tip: Alexandre Pantoja to Win</p>
<p> </p>
<h3>Alexander Volkanovski vs Yair Rodriguez</h3>
<p>Finally, the moment we’ve all be waiting for!</p>
<p>Alexander ‘The Great’ Volkanovski is back in the Octagon and will be looking to do what he does best against challenger Yair ‘El Pantera’ Rodriguez.</p>
<p>This is the Volk’s first fight back after his contentious loss to Islam Makhachev at UFC 284 in Perth, which saw him fall agonisingly short of winning the lightweight championship belt and being the first featherweight/lightweight double champion since Conor McGregor.</p>
<p>On that same card we saw Rodriguez face Josh Emmett and pick him apart piece by piece, winning via Triangle Choke in the 2nd round.</p>
<p>This could be a tricky fight for Volk. Both fighters are built so different with Rodriguez wiry 5’11 frame facing off against Volk’s stocky 5’6. Rodriguez is also such an unorthodox and flexible fighter with a huge arsenal of highlight reel moves available to him due to his physique and extensive reach.</p>
<p>While Rodriguez has a lot going for him, we trust Volk to get the job done here. He’s proven he’s one of the greats and his accuracy, composure and cardio has led to him being a winner time and time again.</p>
<p>Let’s use Max Holloway as a barometer for success. Volk’s progressed night and day since their first fight and if you don’t believe us, go back, and watch the third fight in that trilogy. He’s well and truly grown to be the better fighter. Rodriguez also fought Holloway back in 2021 and that ended with Holloway winning via decision.</p>
<p>Volkanovski gets this one done with ease.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Tip:</strong> Alexander Volkanovski to Win via Decision</p>
<p> </p>
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