UFC 290 LIVE: Volkanovski vs Yair Rodriguez results

Alexander Volkanovski continued his dominant run atop the UFC featherweight division on Saturday, stopping interim champion Yair Rodriguez to unify the titles.

Volkanovski controlled the Mexican on the mat for most of the first two rounds, and just when Rodriguez began to flicker into life in the striking exchanges, Volkanovski fired back with a hard right hook to set up a ground-and-pound finish in Round 3.

In the co-main event, Alexandre Pantoja won a thrilling, back-and-forth battle with Brandon Moreno, taking the flyweight title from the Mexican with a split-decision win. The victory also saw the Brazilian move to 3-0 against two-time champion Moreno, whom Pantoja also beat in 2016 and 2018.

Earlier in the night, South Africa’s Dricus Du Plessis stunned Robert Whittaker, beating the ex-middleweight champion via TKO before facing off with reigning title holder Israel Adesanya in a heated exchange. All the while, ex-US president Donald Trump watched on from ringside.

Also, former welterweight champion Robbie Lawler won his retirement fight by knocking out Niko Price inside the first minute, Dan Hooker outpointed Jalin Turner despite suffering a broken arm, and Bo Nickal knocked out Val Woodburn to move to 5-0 with a fifth first-round finish. Re-live UFC 290 below.

UFC 290 LIVE

• Donald Trump high-fives fans while arriving at UFC 290

• Alexander Volkanovski def. Yair Rodriguez via third-round TKO (punches, 4:19)

• Alexandre Pantoja def. Brandon Moreno via split decision (46-49, 48-47, 48-47)

• Dricus Du Plessis def. Robert Whittaker via second-round TKO (punches, 2:23)

• Dan Hooker def. Jalin Turner via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

• Bo Nickal def. Val Woodburn via first-round TKO (punches, 0:38)

• Plus full prelim results as Robbie Lawler retires with early KO win

UFC 290 LIVE: Alexander Volkanovski def. Yair Rodriguez

06:47 , Alex Pattle

Alexander Volkanovski continued his dominant run atop the UFC featherweight division on Saturday, stopping interim champion Yair Rodriguez to unify the titles.

Volkanovski controlled the Mexican on the mat for most of the first two rounds, and just when Rodriguez began to flicker into life in the striking exchanges, Volkanovski fired back with a hard right hook to set up a ground-and-pound finish in Round 3.

With the result at Las Vegas’s T-Mobile Arena, the Australian not only retained his featherweight title but bounced back from a narrow loss to Islam Makhachev – Volkanovski’s first defeat in 10 years, and one that occurred when the 34-year-old challenged for the lightweight belt in February.

Full UFC 290 report and results:

Alexander Volkanovski stops Yair Rodriguez on wild night of fights at UFC 290

UFC 290 LIVE: Alexander Volkanovski def. Yair Rodriguez

06:49 , Alex Pattle

Is Ilia Topuria next for Volkanovski?

UFC 290 LIVE: Alexander Volkanovski def. Yair Rodriguez

06:48 , Alex Pattle

Volkanovski speaks to his fellow Australians:

UFC 290 LIVE: Alexander Volkanovski def. Yair Rodriguez

06:36 , Alex Pattle

UFC 290 LIVE: Alexander Volkanovski def. Yair Rodriguez

06:23 , Alex Pattle

Dan Hooker just posted an X-ray image online; he suffered a broken arm in his win over Jalin Turner earlier!

UFC 290 LIVE: Alexander Volkanovski def. Yair Rodriguez

06:17 , Alex Pattle

UFC 290 LIVE: Alexander Volkanovski def. Yair Rodriguez

06:13 , Alex Pattle

Volkanovski calls out Ilia Topuria, who is at ringside, but he also says he wants to go for the lightweight title again.

UFC 290 LIVE: Alexander Volkanovski def. Yair Rodriguez

06:11 , Alex Pattle

Volkanovski: “I’ve got to be honest: Throughout camp, there was a bit of fear there – for over his striking and how dangerous he is. That’s the honest truth.”

UFC 290 LIVE: Alexander Volkanovski vs Yair Rodriguez

06:09 , Alex Pattle

Alexander Volkanovski def. Yair Rodriguez via third-round TKO (punches, 4:19).

UFC 290 LIVE: Alexander Volkanovski vs Yair Rodriguez

06:07 , Alex Pattle

Round 3

Referee Herb Dean to Rodriguez: “This is a hard warning... don’t bring me into this fight.” He references Yair grabbing ahold of Volk’s gloves and digging his toes into the fence across the first couple of rounds.

Stabbing right cross from Volkanovski. Rodriguez flicks out front kicks, then a head kick that is blocked. Both fighters switch stances back and forth.

Volkanovski tries to grab a single-leg, but his challenger wriggles free. Nice step-in right hook to the head by Volk, though.

There’s a clash of heads, and we’ll have a pause in the action. Rodriguez actually came off worse; it’s like Volk, the shorter fighter, accidentally headbutted him on the chin while closing range.

We’re back under way. Slick one-two and low kick from Yair, who then repeats the one-two but kicks high. Volk fires back with a big right hook, though! He swarms Rodriguez, dumps him to the mat, and keeps punching!

Yair covers up and hits the mat! More punches from Volk... AND HERB DEAN STEPS IN!

Wowwwwww. It’s almost like Volk was annoyed by those two quick combinations from Rodriguez, and decided to get him out of there within SECONDS.

UFC 290 LIVE: Alexander Volkanovski vs Yair Rodriguez

06:00 , Alex Pattle

Round 2

Volkanovski seems to have a cut above his left eye, but it’s not too bad right now. Rodriguez leaps into range with a flamboyant head-kick attempt, but Volk evades it and circles away.

Volkanovski gets ahold of Rodriguez and drives him to the fence. He tries to take the back, but Yair does a good job of fighting the Aussie’s hands and standing back up... but not for long. Volk gets him down again and is in half-guard.

Volkanovski with slashing elbows from above, and Rodriguez’s face is leaking blood now. The champion moves into the interim champion’s guard and lands more ground and pound – this time in the form of punches.

UFC 290 LIVE: Alexander Volkanovski vs Yair Rodriguez

05:54 , Alex Pattle

Round 1

Both men stand orthodox but are switching stances already. Rodriguez is the taller, rangier fighter. Forward comes Volkanovski. “Pantera” (panther) is the chant from the Mexican contingent in the arena, referencing Rodriguez’s nickname.

Rodriguez just misses with a question-mark kick, then Volkanovski kicks low. Rodriguez kicks to the body, then again – but his second attempt is caught, and Volk takes him down! He’s into Rodriguez’s guard, shuffling to the fence.

In fact, Volkanovski is in front of his corner now. He’s listening to them and throwing hard body shots. Former women’s bantamweight champion Julianna Pena is shouting advice to Rodriguez from the crowd.

Rodriguez is eventually able to create space and stand, but Volk drags him back down. More ground strikes from the official champion.

Volk tries for an arm-triangle choke, but Yair uses the threat of a kimura to deter the Australian. Volk ends the round on top.

UFC 290 LIVE: Alexander Volkanovski vs Yair Rodriguez

05:48 , Alex Pattle

IT’S TIME! THE MAIN EVENT IS UNDER WAY!

UFC 290 LIVE: Alexander Volkanovski vs Yair Rodriguez

05:48 , Alex Pattle

I’ve never seen a fighter look so calm while Bruce Buffer screams in their face as Rodriguez did just now.

UFC 290 LIVE: Alexander Volkanovski vs Yair Rodriguez

05:41 , Alex Pattle

Rodriguez is out first, followed by Volkanovski to “Down Under” by Men At Work. Lovely stuff.

UFC 290 LIVE: Alexander Volkanovski vs Yair Rodriguez

05:40 , Alex Pattle

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.

Volkanovski is making his fifth defence of the belt, having retained it against Max Holloway twice, Brian Ortega and Chan Sung Jung.

The Independent’s pound-for-pound UFC rankings

UFC 290 LIVE: Alexander Volkanovski vs Yair Rodriguez

05:29 , Alex Pattle

It’s been a night of upsets, as the bookies have seen it.

One more?

Alexander Volkanovski defends his featherweight title against interim champion Yair Rodriguez next, in our main event!

UFC 290 LIVE: Brandon Moreno vs Alexandre Pantoja

05:25 , Alex Pattle

Alexandre Pantoja def. Brandon Moreno via split decision (46-49, 48-47, 48-47).

AND NEW! Pantoja moves to 3-0 against Moreno! He collapses to the mat in tears.

There are some boos in the T-Mobile Arena, but that’s the right result. 49-46 to Moreno was a kind scorecard for the Mexican.

UFC 290 LIVE: Brandon Moreno vs Alexandre Pantoja

05:21 , Alex Pattle

Round 5

Moreno and Pantoja are both landing clean punches! Moreno may need a stoppage in this round to retain his title!

Pantoja lands a takedown, and this could be brutal for Moreno’s chances... Pantoja takes Moreno’s back, and he keeps it as the Mexican stands.

One minute left... Boos rain down at the T-Mobile Arena.

UFC 290 LIVE: Brandon Moreno vs Alexandre Pantoja

05:15 , Alex Pattle

Round 4

Moreno cut up Pantoja’s face with an elbow in that second round. Now he lands a harsh left hook and uppercut!

A wild punching exchange ensues. This is like Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots! Pantoja changes that, though, with a drive double-leg takedown!

Moreno stands, but he’s being held against the fence. Now he’s taken down again.

Eventually he stands and swings big at Pantoja! He lands a nasty elbow, too, right on the buzzer!

UFC 290 LIVE: Brandon Moreno vs Alexandre Pantoja

05:09 , Alex Pattle

Round 3

Almost at once, Pantoja lands a knee to the groin, and we have a brief pause in the action.

Back under way, and Pantoja is able to take the back, drive Moreno to the fence, and rag the Mexican to the mat! He’s seeking a rear naked choke, but Moreno is defending very well so far...

And Moreno is able to turn inside, getting in Pantoja’s guard! He’s even able to stand and walk away! He engages with a series of snapping punches, but Pantoja tags him with a hard left hook and uppercut.

PERFECT high kick from Moreno, but Pantoja shakes his head! Another head kick, and this time Pantoja wobbles1 He shoots for a double-leg takedown, but he’s denied.

His next attempt is successful, however! A scramble follows, and Moreno ends up absorbing elbows from the bottom. The fighters stand now.

UFC 290 LIVE: Brandon Moreno vs Alexandre Pantoja

05:02 , Alex Pattle

Round 2

Pantoja gets right after Moreno early in this round! Moreno tries to stay composed...

The champion fires back with long shots! The accuracy is there, but Pantoja is taking the shots fairly well at the moment.

Pantoja overcommits to a punch, and Moreno takes his back, dragging him to the canvas! Moreno is working on a rear-naked choke, to the delight of the Mexican fans in attendance...

Pantoja escapes in the blink of an eye! The fighters stand and trade *heavy* punches! Pantoja now buries hooks into the body of Moreno, who replies with a hook upstairs.

A frenzied end to the round ensues.

UFC 290 LIVE: Brandon Moreno vs Alexandre Pantoja

04:56 , Alex Pattle

Round 1

Moreno shoots for a takedown straight away. He doesn’t get it, but he does drive Pantoja to the fence.

Moreno is holding his old rival against the cage wall. Eventually Pantoja reverses the position, lands a knee to the body, and escapes.

Stinging jab from Moreno, who adds a left hook. Pantoja tries to trip Moreno, but the champion scrambles back to his feet. Pantoja with another knee to the body, as Moreno grapples him.

More nice shots from range by Moreno, but he’s dropped by a left hook!! Pantoja thinks about a guillotine but opts to land elbows instead! Moreno is busted open!

Moreno is able to prevent Pantoja from passing his guard, and eventually the Mexican stands. He lands a one-two, but Pantoja fires back and hurts Moreno!

Pantoja is stalking Moreno in a chillingly lax way...

UFC 290 LIVE: Brandon Moreno vs Alexandre Pantoja

04:50 , Alex Pattle

Moreno vs Pantoja 3. We’re under way!

UFC 290 LIVE: Brandon Moreno vs Alexandre Pantoja

04:44 , Alex Pattle

Here’s an excerpt from our exclusive interview with Moreno:

Before the punching bags, there were piñatas.

“Yeah, man!” Moreno beams to The Independent. “I don’t know if piñatas are very popular in the UK, but obviously in Mexico they are so popular. I was born watching my parents work so hard in the piñata business, for me and my brothers. It was a very interesting childhood I had!”

Moreno helped his parents in their venture, which they still run to this day, but shifted his focus entirely to fighting as a 22-year-old.

“I remember I stopped after my first UFC fight,” he recalls. “I finished The Ultimate Fighter, then the UFC called me for a short-notice fight, and I won the fight and the Performance of the Night bonus. With that money I bought my house and everything, and I stopped working with my parents.

“But they were so proud of their little kid. Right now, they’re still working on the piñata business, but because they love to work! If I tell them, ‘Hey, you don’t need to keep working,’ they will say something like, ‘We want to keep working because we feel alive, we feel very good doing this.’”

Full interview:

Brandon Moreno, piñatas and the promise that inspired UFC supremacy

UFC 290 LIVE: Brandon Moreno vs Alexandre Pantoja

04:41 , Alex Pattle

Next up, the co-main event. Brandon Moreno defends his flyweight title against Alexandre Pantoja, a man who has beaten him twice.

Brazilian Pantoja submitted Moreno in 2016 then outpointed him in 2018. The latter result led to Moreno’s release from the UFC, before he came back an improved fighter and won the flyweight belt from Deiveson Figueiredo.

Moreno and Figueiredo actually drew in their first clash, before the Mexican submitted Figueiredo in their rematch to become his country’s first ever UFC champion.

In their trilogy bout, Figueiredo regain the gold on points, before Moreno beat his rival in a fourth showdown this January, regaining the belt via TKO.

UFC 290 LIVE: Robert Whittaker vs Dricus Du Plessis

04:36 , Alex Pattle

Middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is in the ring, shouting in Du Plessis’s face. We can’t repeat much of what he’s saying. It’s all racially motivated.

Adesanya has taken exception in recent weeks to Du Plessis’s claim that he wants to be the ‘first African’ champion in the UFC.

Adesanya and former welterweight title holder Kamaru Usman are both of Nigerian heritage, while ex-heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou is Cameroonian.

Du Plessis stressed that he wants to be the first fighter who lives and trains in Africa to win a UFC title.

UFC 290 LIVE: Robert Whittaker vs Dricus Du Plessis

04:30 , Alex Pattle

Dricus Du Plessis def. Robert Whittaker via second-round TKO (punches, 2:23).

What on earth?

UFC 290 LIVE: Robert Whittaker vs Dricus Du Plessis

04:28 , Alex Pattle

Round 2

Du Plessis is keeping his guard tight, but Whittaker is starting to get through with his jab. The Australian is kicking low well, too.

OH! Du Plessis drops Whittakker with a right!! Whittaker is back to his feet, but he’s not all there! He covers up, and Du Plessis forces the finish against the fence!

WHAT JUST HAPPENED? What an upset!

UFC 290 LIVE: Robert Whittaker vs Dricus Du Plessis

04:24 , Alex Pattle

Round 1

Du Plessis stands southpaw. He kicks to the body of Whittaker and stalks the former champion, who kicks low. A right hand gets through for Whittaker, then he evades a head kick and a winging left hook. A clean jab tags Du Plessis now, splitting his guard.

More good jabs from Whittaker, who lands an oblique kick, jab and body-lock takedown! Du Plessis tries to counter with a guillotine choke, but Whittaker wisely angles his head so as to avoid the pressure.

Eventually the pair stand, and Whittaker connects with a hard overhand right. Still, Du Plessis marches forward. “Let’s, go, Robert,” chants the crowd. Du Plessis with a decent combination now, after catching a kick.

Nice jab and good head movement by Whittaker, but he’s caught by a well-executed trip from Du Plessis. The South African with a scything elbow on the mat, and Whittaker is busted open!

Du Plessis is looking for a D’Arce choke, but also throwing elbows! He’s stolen the round, in my opinion...

UFC 290 LIVE: Robert Whittaker vs Dricus Du Plessis

04:13 , Alex Pattle

Here we go, former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker takes on rising contender Dricus Du Plessis!

UFC 290 LIVE: Jalin Turner vs Dan Hooker

04:03 , Alex Pattle

Dan Hooker def. Jalin Turner via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28).

Indy Sport had it the same way as two of the judges: 29-28 to Hooker, as per our scorecard on the Verdict app.

UFC 290 LIVE: Jalin Turner vs Dan Hooker

03:59 , Alex Pattle

Round 3

Third and final round. Turner throws a jumping knee, but he’s immediately staggered by a right hand.

He comes back and connects with an uppercut, and a grazing front kick as Hooker ducks. Now Hooker surges forward, absorbing jabs but throwing straight shots, which are hurting Turner.

Turner shoots for a double-leg takedown, and Hooker offers little resistance. The lightweights soon stand, however.

Hooker marches forward with more straight rights and lefts, and Turner hits the canvas again! Hooker ends up in Turner’s guard; he’d seemingly have been better off letting Turner stand...

However, Hooker is getting punches off. He postures up now but receives a few elbows for his trouble.

Finally the fighters stand, and the buzzer sounds!

UFC 290 LIVE: Jalin Turner vs Dan Hooker

03:53 , Alex Pattle

Round 2

Hooker with a right hook to the body and a left hook to the head. Turner stalks him, standing southpaw at the moment.

OH! Turner with a clean head kick! It’s busted up Hooker badly, and the Kiwi grapples his opponent in a bid to reduce any further offence from Turner for the time being... but Turner is still landing!

Eventually the pace slows. Hooker just about blocks another head kick, but it still wobbles him.

Now Hooker comes forward with a series of straight shots, and Turner is wobbly!! What a phase of play from Hooker! Can he get a finish late in the round?!

Turner falls to the mat, and Hooker gets a rear naked choke locked in... but the buzzer saves Turner! WHAT A ROUND!

UFC 290 LIVE: Jalin Turner vs Dan Hooker

03:46 , Alex Pattle

Round 1

Hooker kicks low. Turner comes over the top with a right hand before switching to southpaw.

Now it’s Turner who kicks low, before Hooker returns fire. Hooker fires off another kick and is warned for striking the groin.

Turner with some success punching to the head. Both men flick out front kicks. A Turner right cross stumbles Hooker as the Kiwi kicks low.

Hooker eats a head kick well. Turner is starting to light up Hooker with punches. Hooker with kicks low and to the body.

Hooker lands a right cross then sees a head kick blocked. Both men land hard punches in a frantic exchange!

Hooker with a left hook, but Turner fires back with straight shots! Fun round.

UFC 290 LIVE: Jalin Turner vs Dan Hooker

03:37 , Alex Pattle

Here we go, fan favourite and veteran Dan Hooker takes on rising contender Jalin Turner at lightweight.

New Zealand’s Hooker is 22-12 as a pro, while American Turner is 13-6.

The pair were due to fight one another in March, but the bout was delayed.

Turner actually missed weight on Friday, coming in at 158lbs.

It’s #11 (Turner) vs #12 (Hooker).

UFC 290 LIVE: Bo Nickal vs Val Woodburn

03:25 , Alex Pattle

Round 1

OH!!!! Nickal makes light work of UFC debutant Woodburn!

Nickal tags his opponent with a southpaw right hook, staggering Woodburn. He then lands a hard left hook, staggering Woodburn further, before dropping him with another left!

Nickal is a wrestling prodigy but has HANDS, too.

Bo Nickal def. Val Woodburn via first-round TKO (punches, 0:38).

UFC 290 LIVE: Bo Nickal vs Val Woodburn

03:16 , Alex Pattle

We’ll kick off the main card with Bo Nickal vs Val Woodburn at middleweight.

Nickal, who was originally due to face Tresean Gore, has impressed since transitioning from wrestling to MMA.

The American, 27, is 4-0 and won his UFC debut with a first-round submission in March.

In fact, all of his fights have ended in the first round, with three of those wins coming via submission and one coming via KO.

UFC 290 LIVE: Full prelim results

03:12 , Alex Pattle

Before the main card begins, here are the prelim results in full:

Prelims

Robbie Lawler def. Niko Price via first-round KO (punches, 0:38)

Tatsuro Taira def. Edgar Chairez via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)

Denise Gomes def. Yazmin Jauregui via first-round TKO (punches, 0:20)

Alonzo Menifield def. Jimmy Crute via second-round submission (guillotine choke, 1:55)

Early prelims

Vitor Petrino def. Marcin Prachnio via third-round submission (arm triangle, 3:42)

Cameron Saaiman def. Terrence Mitchell via first-round TKO (3:10)

Jesus Aguilar def. Shannon Ross via first-round KO (0:17)

Esteban Ribovics def. Kamuela Kirk via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

UFC 290: Donald Trump in the building

03:11 , Alex Pattle

Donald Trump high-fives fans at UFC 290 in Las Vegas

UFC 290: Robbie Lawler vs Niko Price

02:48 , Alex Pattle

Lawler: “It was a hard training camp, nothing was going right. Today was the first day I happened to feel alright.”

“It was good, I was landing some big shots in good places – temples, chin. It was too much.

A lovely video package plays, in tribute to Lawler, and he’s breaking down in tears.

“Thank you for the years of support. I’m blessed, I’m grateful.”

UFC 290: Robbie Lawler vs Niko Price

02:44 , Alex Pattle

Robbie Lawler def. Niko Price via first-round KO (punches, 0:38).

UFC 290: Robbie Lawler vs Niko Price

02:43 , Alex Pattle

Round 1

“Robbie” is the chant as the welterweights get going. Lawler just about lands a one-two.

OH! Lawler grabs Price’s head and starts hammering him with hooks and uppercuts in close, and Price crumples to the floor in a heap! The fight is waved off!

WHAT an ending to Lawler’s career! He takes a knee, emotional in the ring...

Announcer Bruce Buffer goes and says a few words to him. Now Price – back on his feet – congratulates him.

UFC 290: Robbie Lawler vs Niko Price

02:33 , Alex Pattle

One more prelim bout to come. “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler will take his final bow, as he fights the always entertaining Niko Price.

Lawler, 41, is a former welterweight champion, best known for his war with Rory McDonald in 2015 – a fight that saw both men inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame this week.

UFC 290: Tatsuro Taira vs Edgar Chairez

02:29 , Alex Pattle

Tatsuro Taira def. Edgar Chairez via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27).

UFC 290: Tatsuro Taira vs Edgar Chairez

02:27 , Alex Pattle

Round 3

Snapping jab from Chairez. Low kick by Taira. Now a right cross and left hook from Chairez! He’s having a decent amount of success on the feet, I’m not sure why he tried so hard for those guillotines in Rounds 1 and 2 – against a superior grappler, no less.

Now Taira shoots for a double-leg takedown. Chairez’s response? A guillotine effort, of course... It doesn’t work, and Taira has the Mexican in half-guard.

The crowd – which contains a fair few of Chairez’s compatriots tonight – expresses its frustration at Taira’s dominance.

OH! Almost out of nowhere, Chairez reverses position again, and he FINALLY gets the guillotine! But Taira is able to survive until the buzzer! Wow, that was in tight.

UFC 290: Tatsuro Taira vs Edgar Chairez

02:21 , Alex Pattle

Round 2

Again Chairez shoots for a guillotine, jumping and pulling guard to get it...

But it’s not there. Taira moves from guard to mount and fires off more elbows. Chairez is able to get half-guard, but Taira is back into mount before long.

The Japanese is dominating – posturing up and unloading punches now. Chairez manages to reverse position, but Taira locks in a triangle choke in response!

The buzzer saves Chairez...

UFC 290: Tatsuro Taira vs Edgar Chairez

02:15 , Alex Pattle

Round 1

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.

UFC 290: Tatsuro Taira vs Edgar Chairez

02:09 , Alex Pattle

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.

UFC 290: Tatsuro Taira vs Edgar Chairez

01:49 , Alex Pattle

Next up, we’re expecting Tatsuro Taira vs Edgar Chairez in a 130lbs catchweight bout.

UFC 290: Yazmin Jauregui vs Denise Gomes

01:46 , Alex Pattle

Round 1

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.

UFC 290: Yazmin Jauregui vs Denise Gomes

01:44 , Alex Pattle

Mexico’s Jauregui enters this one with a record of 10-0, while Brazilian Gomes is 7-2.

Here we go!

UFC 290: Yazmin Jauregui vs Denise Gomes

01:30 , Alex Pattle

Next up, Yazmin Jauregui faces Denise Gomes in a women’s strawweight bout.

UFC 290: Jimmy Crute vs Alonzo Menifield

01:24 , Alex Pattle

Round 2

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!

UFC 290: Jimmy Crute vs Alonzo Menifield

01:20 , Alex Pattle

Round 1

Both men stand orthodox. There’s a little bit of inactivity early on, to the frustration of the Vegas crowd, until Menifield sends Crute sprawling with a quick one-two to the head!

Crute regains his footing, and he doesn’t seem too shaken up. He gradually gets back to pressing forward. Menifield stings him with a right cross.

Crute shoots for a takedown, but Menifield sprawls well to deny the Australian! The light-heavyweights grapple against the fence, with Crute unloading a couple of elbows.

Eventually Menifield creates space and slings some punches Crute’s way, but the grappling resumes before long. Crute with knees to the body from inside the clinch.

UFC 290: Jimmy Crute vs Alonzo Menifield

01:12 , Alex Pattle

First up, Jimmy Crute takes on Alonzo Menifield in a light-heavyweight clash, five months after the pair fought to a majority draw in Crute’s native Australia.