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Yair Rodriguez is ‘going to be competitive’ against Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 290 despite underdog status

Despite walking into Saturday’s UFC 290 main event as a three-to-one underdog, Yair Rodriguez is being touted as the toughest test yet for reigning featherweight world champion Alexander Volkanovski. After scoring a second-round submission over Josh Emmett to capture the interim featherweight title, Rodriguez will attempt to trade up for undisputed gold against the No. […]

After scoring a second-round submission over Josh Emmett to capture the interim featherweight title, Rodriguez will attempt to trade up for undisputed gold against the No. 2 ranked pound-for-pound fighter in the world. Virtually everyone has picked Volkanovski to come out on top inside T-Mobile Arena, but popular play-by-play man Jon Anik expects ‘El Pantera’ to give Volkanovski a real run for his money during International Fight Week.

“Yair Rodriguez is the f*cking man,” Anik told MMA Fighting. “Dominick Cruz coined him ‘one of one,’ and I’m not sure that more appropriate words have ever been used to describe an athlete. I have no point of comparison when it comes to Yair Rodriguez. I absolutely think he’s going to be competitive against Alexander Volkanovski.”

Anik Sees No Need to Rush Into Volkanovski vs. Makhachev Rematch Following Fight with Yair Rodriguez

Yair Rodriguez captured the interim 145-pound crown at UFC 284, the same night that Alexander Volkanovski attempted to become a two-division world champion, challenging Islam Makhachev for the lightweight championship. The Dagestani destroyer came out on top via a unanimous decision that was scrutinized by fans and fighters alike. The somewhat controversial result left the door wide open for a rematch, but Jon Anik believes there’s no need to rush into running back their Fight of the Year contender.

“I feel like with the Makhachev-Volkanovski rematch, you can let that marinate a little bit,” Anik said. “I don’t think it’s out of the realm of possibility that that fight could materialize even three or four years down the line. I just think with the wealth of talent you have right now at 145 and 155, it’s not a strike-while-the-iron-is-hot situation. I do believe that it’s ambitious just to think that Volkanovski is going to get completely through Yair unscathed and turn it around in October.

“Only thing I would say is that when we did sit down with Alex to begin the year, he said he wanted to fight four times in 2023, and I certainly believe — to quote Michael Chandler — that Volkanovski is here for a good time and not a long time,” Anik continued. “I really think he’s trying to put training camps together and realize these paydays and not be fighting into his 40s. So I think we have to enjoy Volanovski while we can, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him try for a quick turn even if it’s a hard fight in July.”

Islam Makhachev is aiming for a return to action this October when the promotion heads back to Abu Dhabi for UFC 294. Alexander Volkanvski has exhibited an interest in making a quick turnaround to compete at the event, but don’t expect to see their highly anticipated rematch booked just yet. Makhachev is currently slated for a lightweight title defense against former foe Charles Oliveira or possibly the winner of this month’s UFC 291 headliner between Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje.

As for Volkanovski’s next title defense, should he get past Yair Rodriguez on Saturday night, could come against 14-0 standout Ilia Topuria. ‘El Matador’ earned a decisive unanimous decision win over Josh Emmett last month, thrusting himself into the division’s top five and potentially establishing himself as the next man in line for a title opportunity.

UFC 290: Previewing Alexander Volkanovski vs. Yair Rodríguez and the Rest of the Card

It’s hard to believe, but it’s already almost time for the UFC’s annual International Fight Week bonanza, which typically culminates with the promotion’s…

Ilia Topuria promises title win over Alexander Volkanovski: ‘I’m gonna knock him out in the first round’

Off the back of another dominant victory at UFC Fight Night Jacksonville over the course of last weekend, undefeated featherweight contender, Ilia Topuria promises business as usual in a potential title fight with champion, Alexander Volkanovski in the future – plotting a knockout win, or a five round decision shutout. Headlining for the first time […]

Headlining for the first time under the banner of the UFC, Topuria improved to 14-0 as a professional against Arizona veteran, Josh Emmett, defeating the one-time interim title challenger with a one-sided unanimous decision (50-45, 50-42, 49-46) triumph in ‘The Sunshine State’.

Noting his intentions to attend UFC 290 next month during International Fight Week, Topuria confirmed plans to watch his “prey” – in the form of the aforenoted, Volkanovski, and interim champion, Yair Rodríguez – with the pair headlining the event in a championship unification bout.

Ilia Topuria promises title stoppage win over Alexander Volkanovski

Calling for a championship outing in his next Octagon walk, German-born contender, Topuria has vowed to dispatch New South Wales native, Volkanovski in similar fashion to Emmett ahead of a projected title showdown.

“I showed it tonight, that no one can match my level of skill inside the cage,” Ilia Topuria told assembled media following UFC Jacksonville. “I know that I can finish everyone in this division. Josh (Emmett) was pretty tough tonight, but I beat him pretty easily. It’s not gonna be like different with Alex (Alexander Volkanovski). The result is going to be the same.”

“I’m gonna knock him out in the first round, second round,” Ilia Topuria explained. “If not, I’m gonna dominate him for five rounds, no problem.” (Transcribed by MMA News)

Forced the distance for just the second time during is Octagon tenure, Topuria landed a debut win over Youseff Zalal back in 2020, before turning in stoppage wins over Damon Jackson, Ryan Hall, Jai Herbert, and Bryce Mitchell.

Ilia Topuria plans to attend Volkanovski – Rodríguez title fight at UFC 290: ‘I will be there, watching my next prey’

Off the back of his stunning victory against Josh Emmett at UFC Jacksonville last night in ‘The Sunshine State’, unbeaten featherweight contender, Ilia Topuria has plans to attend UFC 290 during International Fight Week next month at UFC 290 – with sights set on fighting the eventual undisputed champion, Alexander Volkanovski or Yair Rodríguez. Topuria, […]

Topuria, the current number nine ranked featherweight contender, is likely set to topple former interim title challenger, Emmett from the number five rank in the division next week – off the back of his spectacular unanimous decision (50-44, 50-42, 49-45) triumph against the Arizonian. The bout also earned both men a Fight of the Night bonus to boot.

Turning in consecutive Octagon victory number six, Topuria has previously defeated Youseff Zalal, Damon Jackson, Ryan Hall, Jai Herbert, and Bryce Mitchell.

And immediately noting his intentions to secure a featherweight title fight next – ideally in an undisputed tilt against the above-mentioned, Volkanovski, Topuria has also entertained a potential title-eliminator against former division champion, Max Holloway – if the promotion offer him a headlining bout in Spain.

Ilia Topuria plots championship premiere in next UFC outing

Speaking with assembled media following his unanimous judging win against Emmett, Topuria announced plans to attend UFC 290 next month at the T-Mobile Arena, taking in Volkanovski’s and Rodríguez’s title unification bout.

“I’m the next guy in the line,” Ilia Topuria said of fighting for a featherweight championship next. “I can wait. One of the best skills that I have is the patience. If they [the UFC] offer me to fight with Max Holloway in Spain, let’s do it. If not, I’m going to wait for my title fight. That’s all.”

“I will be there [at UFC 290], watching my next prey,” Ilia Topuria explained. “[The winner’s] war is going to end soon and mine is going to start.”

Alexander Volkanovski talks up rematch with Islam Makhachev: ‘I’ll win, and then we’ll make a bigger fight’

Reigning UFC featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski says that the Islam Makhachev saga is far from over. In February of this year, Volkanovski and Makhachev squared of against one another in what was highly entertaining and competitive contest. Not many expected Volkaonvski, who was moving up in weight, to get his hand raised at the end […]

Reigning UFC featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski says that the Islam Makhachev saga is far from over.

In February of this year, Volkanovski and Makhachev squared of against one another in what was highly entertaining and competitive contest. Not many expected Volkaonvski, who was moving up in weight, to get his hand raised at the end of the contest. However, ‘the Great’ pushed Makhachev more than anyone has done before and left the idea of a rematch not out of the question.

Alexander Volkanovski expects Islam Makhachev rematch

While Volkanovski is set to defend his 145lb title against Yair Rodriguez at UFC 290 next month, he has made it clear on a recent appearance on the Impaulsive podcast, that he wants to run it back with Makhachev.

“The whole thing, me moving up, challenging myself, wanted to have my moment in Australia, haven’t fought in Australia for how long, haven’t defended the belt, haven’t been able to do that, and then have a fight like that, and then finish like I did,” said Volkanovski. “Then think we’re gonna have this f*cking moment. Let’s do it. I was ready for it, and it was just taken from me. So I was pretty f*cking disappointed with that.”

“We’re probably gonna do the rematch anyway,” Volkanovski continued. “That makes it easy for me, just adds to the story. We move on. You’ve got to move forward and just play on. Obviously it sucks, but I’ll get the rematch, I’ll win, and then we’ll make a bigger fight and a bigger ending to that story anyway.”

Alexander Volkanovski talks Islam Makhachev rematch on the Impaulsive podcast

Volkanovski will defend his title on July 8 against Rodriguez, and as for Makhachev, no opponent has been announced but a rematch with Charles Oliveira looks likely for the end of the year.

Who wins in a rematch, Alexander Volkanovski or Islam Makhachev?

Ilia Topuria predicts win over Alexander Volkanovski in UFC title fight: ‘I’m going to finish him in the first round’

Ahead of his premiere headlining bout under the banner of the UFC this weekend in Jacksonville, Florida – surging featherweight contender, Ilia Topuria remains supremely confident that he stops current division titleholder, Alexander Volkanovski in the opening round of a potential future fight. Topuria, who boasts an undefeated 13-0 professional record, returns to the Octagon […]

Topuria, who boasts an undefeated 13-0 professional record, returns to the Octagon for the first time this year, headlining UFC Fight Night Jacksonville, as he takes on the number five ranked featherweight contender, Josh Emmett – whom most recently competed for interim featherweight gold back in February in Australia.

Attempting to continued his stunning undefeated run against the Arizona veteran, Topuria most recently featured at UFC 282 back in December of last year, defeating The Ultimate Fighter alum Bryce Mitchell with a second round arm-triangle submission success.

The victory came as Topuria’s fifth consecutively since joining the UFC back in 2020, having previously defeated Youssef Zalal, as well as landing a trio of consecutive knockout wins over Damon Jackson, Ryan Hall, and Jai Herbert before his submission triumph over Mitchell.

Ilia Topuria eyes dominant win over Alexander Volkanovski

And fast-approaching a title fight, which can only be aided with a victory against Emmett this weekend in ‘The Sunshine State’, Topuria envisions a one-sided win over incumbent gold holder, Volkanovski.

“I’m the next guy in the line,” Ilia Topuria told assembled media during his UFC Jacksonville media availability. “Who deserves it more than me to fight for the title? No one else. So I’m the next guy.”

“As same as always,” Ilia Topuria replied when asked how a fight with Alexander Volkanovski would play out. “I’m gonna finish him in the first round.”

As for Volkanovski, the New South Wales favorite is slated to headline UFC 290 during International Fight Week next month, taking on the aforenoted, Yair Rodríguez in a featherweight title unification bout.