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.
UFC 290 LIVE
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UFC 290 LIVE: Jalin Turner vs Dan Hooker
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.
Indy Sport’s Verdict scorecard for Dan Hooker vs Jalin Turner at UFC 290
(Verdict MMA)
Alex Pattle9 July 2023 04:03
UFC 290 LIVE: Jalin Turner vs Dan Hooker
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!
Alex Pattle9 July 2023 03:59
UFC 290 LIVE: Jalin Turner vs Dan Hooker
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!
Alex Pattle9 July 2023 03:53
UFC 290 LIVE: Jalin Turner vs Dan Hooker
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.
Alex Pattle9 July 2023 03:46
UFC 290 LIVE: Jalin Turner vs Dan Hooker
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).
Alex Pattle9 July 2023 03:37
UFC 290 LIVE: Bo Nickal vs Val Woodburn
Nickal, 27 years old, is now 5-0 as a pro with five first-round finishes (3 submissions, 2 KOs).
Alex Pattle9 July 2023 03:26
UFC 290 LIVE: Bo Nickal vs Val Woodburn
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).
Alex Pattle9 July 2023 03:25
UFC 290 LIVE: Bo Nickal vs Val Woodburn
Meanwhile, 29-year-old Woodburn – also American – is unbeaten as a professional, too.
Alex Pattle9 July 2023 03:17
UFC 290 LIVE: Bo Nickal vs Val Woodburn
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.
Alex Pattle9 July 2023 03:16
UFC 290 LIVE: Full prelim results
Before the main card begins, here are the prelim results in full:
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)
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)
Alex Pattle9 July 2023 03:12