UFC 290 Picks - Alexander Volkanovski vs Yair Rodriguez Prediction
Alexander Volkanovski and Yair Rodriguez face off on Saturday for the featherweight title in the main event of UFC 290 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Alexander Volkanovski vs Yair Rodriguez Odds
Vokanovski is the favorite in this fight sitting at -375 while Rodriguez is the underdog sitting at +285. The total rounds sits at 4.5 with the over paying out at +100.
Alexander Volkanovski Betting Preview
Alexander “The Great” Volkanovski comes into this fight with a 25-2 record overall and he had won his first 12 fights inside the UFC before losing his last fight. Volkanovski faced off against Islam Makhachev in a lightweight championship bout on February 11th and it was a unanimous decision defeat. He actually outstruck Makhachev 70-57 but he was taken down four times, and that led to the defeat. Two fights ago against Max Holloway, Volkanovski outstruck Holloway 199-127, and that led to the unanimous decision victory. Volkanovski is averaging 6.35 significant strikes per minute while absorbing 3.40 significant strikes per minute. He is averaging 1.52 takedowns but is only successful on 34 percent of his takedown attempts. He also stops 69 percent of his opponents takedown attempts.
Yair Rodriguez Betting Preview
On the other side of this matchup is Yair Rodriguez who sits with a 16-3 record overal and he has been a little up and down as of late, but he has won two fights in a row. Rodriguez’s last fight came against Josh Emmett in February of 2023 and in the second round he locked in a triangle choke and secured the win. Rodriguez is averaging 4.78 significant strikes per minute while absorbing 4.03 significant strikes per minute. Rodrgiuez is averaging 0.79 successful takedowns every 15 minutes and he is successful on 28 percent of his takedown attempts. He also stops 63 percent of his opponents takedown attempts.
Shane’s Free Pick
Volkanovski is looking for his fifth defense of the flyweight championship, and he’s going to secure that here. Rodriguez is someone who Volkanovski can’t take lightly, because he is such a good striker, but this matchup is just going to be too much for him. Volkanovski has a 71 inch reach, and he’s going to use that to his advantage here. I don’t think he’s going to get the finish, but he’s going to point his way to a victory here. Back Volkanovski by decision.
AUTHOR: Shane Mickle
