UFC 290: Alexander Volkanovski retains featherweight title with stoppage victory over Yair Rodriguez

Alexander Volkanovski retained his featherweight crown at UFC 290 in Las Vegas with a stunning stoppage win over Mexico’s Yair Rodriguez.

The Australian was on top throughout and finished Rodriguez with a barrage of punches on the ground in the third round to notch up his fifth title defence, before declaring he would require surgery.

“I knew that right hook would be pretty good,” Volkanovski said. “Even though he was very dangerous on the feet, I knew I could go on the feet or on the ground.

“I’m really coming for all them records. I’m pretty close to knocking off a few of those. The sky’s the limit.

“I’ll be completely honest with you, I need a bit of surgery on my arm. I’ll make sure I stay fit in recovery and I’ll be back soon. I want that lightweight belt. I’m still coming for that. Whoever’s next.”

‘Volko’ came into the fight on the back of a loss as he attempted to dethrone middleweight kingpin Islam Makhachev and become a double world champion, but there were no signs that defeat had affected his confidence on his return to his natural division.

He started on the front foot and stayed there throughout, although Rodriguez, the interim champion, had some bright moments.

In the second and third rounds, the Mexican found a home for some of his kicks as he looked for a chink in his opponent’s armour. It was, however, in vain, as Volkanovski proved too strong for the 30-year-old.

The former rugby player turned UFC champion has become a true all-rounder in the octagon and displayed his repertoire of skills.

In the first, he was able to take down Rodriguez and dominate the round before the second followed a similar pattern, with a series of brutal strikes – elbows and punches – opening a huge gash above the left eye of Rodriguez.

Into the third and Rodriguez was able to keep the fight on the feet and put together some of his trademark combinations. A bicycle kick put Volko on alert before the Mexican landed some nice shots to the body.

However, with little more than a minute on the clock in the third, a big right hand stung Rodriguez and paved the way for the finish. Volkanovski took his challenger to the ground and unleashed a flurry of strikes that forced Herb Dean to call an end to the contest with 41 seconds left of the third round.

The win improved his record in the UFC to 26-2-0.

In the co-main event, Alexandre Pantoja earned a gutsy split-decision victory over Brandon Moreno to become the new UFC flyweight champion after Robert Whittaker was beaten by Dricus Du Plessis in the first fight of the main card.