Ciryl Gane reveals key coaching tip that he ignored in Jon Jones loss
UFC 290 will build towards two major title fights tonight, as Alexander Volkanovski defends the featherweight belt against Yair Rodriguez, and Brandon Moreno puts his flyweight gold on the line versus Alexandre Pantoja.
Volkanovski and Rodriguez both fought on the same night in February, as “Alexander The Great” lost a controversial decision while challenging Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title, after Rodriguez submitted Josh Emmett to win the interim featherweight strap. The 145lbs titles will be unified tonight, as pound-for-pound great Volkanovski returns to his usual division to take on the Mexican – one of the most unique strikers in MMA.
In the co-main event, Moreno looks to avenge two losses to Pantoja when he defends the title that he regained in January, when he stopped Deiveson Figueiredo in the Brazilian’s home country to win the pair’s four-fight series. Elsewhere on the card, ex-middleweight champion Robert Whittaker faces Dricus Du Plessis in a No 1 contender’s bout, and legend Robbie Lawler takes his final bow. There are plenty of other great match-ups tonight, too, which you can follow with our live blog below.
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UFC 290: Tatsuro Taira vs Edgar Chairez
Hard outside low kick by Chairez. Taira responds in kind, then kicks inside. “Mexico” is the chant at the T-Mobile Arena.
More harsh leg kicks by Taira, but Chairez floors the Japanese with one of his own! Taira bounces back up.
Oh! But he’s right back down after a right hand from Chairez! The Mexican pounces, trying a guillotine, but Taira is surviving.
Taira eventually manages to slip free, and he pursues an arm-triangle choke, before deciding to fire off elbows instead.
All the while, Chairez is hooking his feet in the fence, which is illegal. Referee Herb Dean warns him.
Taira has Chairez in crucifix position and is landing more elbows.
Alex Pattle9 July 2023 02:15
UFC 290: Tatsuro Taira vs Edgar Chairez
And here we go! The fight is about to get under way.
Mexico’s Chairez, 27, has a pro record of 10-4. Japan’s Taira, 23, is 13-0 as a pro.
Alex Pattle9 July 2023 02:09
UFC 290: Tatsuro Taira vs Edgar Chairez
With those last two fights finishing so quickly, there’s been a bit of a longer break ahead of Taira vs Chairez. It should begin shortly!
Alex Pattle9 July 2023 02:07
UFC 290: Tatsuro Taira vs Edgar Chairez
Next up, we’re expecting Tatsuro Taira vs Edgar Chairez in a 130lbs catchweight bout.
Alex Pattle9 July 2023 01:49
UFC 290: Yazmin Jauregui vs Denise Gomes
Denise Gomes def. Yazmin Jauregui via first-round TKO (punches, 0:20).
Alex Pattle9 July 2023 01:46
UFC 290: Yazmin Jauregui vs Denise Gomes
OH, IT’S OVER BEFORE IT BEGINS!
Gomes catches Jauregui with a hard overhand right and a right hook, dropping her opponent!
She then starts swarming Jauregui with more punches, until referee Jason Herzog decides he’s seen enough!
Jauregui’s 0 is gone. An upset win for Gomes.
Alex Pattle9 July 2023 01:46
UFC 290: Yazmin Jauregui vs Denise Gomes
Mexico’s Jauregui enters this one with a record of 10-0, while Brazilian Gomes is 7-2.
Alex Pattle9 July 2023 01:44
UFC 290: Yazmin Jauregui vs Denise Gomes
Next up, Yazmin Jauregui faces Denise Gomes in a women’s strawweight bout.
Alex Pattle9 July 2023 01:30
UFC 290: Jimmy Crute vs Alonzo Menifield
Alonzo Menifield def. Jimmy Crute via second-round submission (guillotine choke, 1:55).
Crute kneels on the mat and removes his gloves… It seems the Aussie’s team are trying to convince him not to retire…
Menifield: “I wanna thank my wife, my children – love you, love you. My mother-in-law, thanks for watching the kids.”
Alex Pattle9 July 2023 01:27
UFC 290: Jimmy Crute vs Alonzo Menifield
Again Crute stumbles after eating a right hand from Menifield, who then lands a sharp jab and a hook.
The hook seems to hurt Crute, who shoots for a takedown! Again Menifield defends well, sprawling… and going for a guillotine choke, with his back to the fence.
The fighters move out into the open… AND THERE’S THE TAP! Menifield gets it done in Round 2!
Alex Pattle9 July 2023 01:24
