UFC 290: A Night of Exciting Fights and Knockouts- Results, Bonus Winners And Highlights

UFC 290 took place on July 8, 2023, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event was headlined by a featherweight title fight between Alexander Volkanovski and Yair Rodriguez. In the co-main event, Alexandre Pantoja challenged Brandon Moreno for the flyweight title.

Main Card:

Alexander Volkanovski def. Yair Rodriguez by TKO (strikes) at 4:19 of Round 3

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

Dricus Du Plessis def. Robert Whittaker by TKO (strikes) at 2:23 of Round 2

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

Bo Nickal def. Val Woodburn by first-round TKO (0:38)

Robbie Lawler def. Niko Price by first-round KO (0:38)

Performance of the Night: 

Dricus Du Plessis

Denise Gomes

Fight of the Night: 

Alexandre Pantoja vs. Brandon Moreno

Highlights: 

In the main event, Volkanovski retained his featherweight title by stopping Rodriguez with strikes in the third round. Volkanovski dominated the fight from start to finish, and he landed a series of powerful punches and kicks that eventually put Rodriguez away.

In the co-main event, Pantoja defeated Moreno to become the new flyweight champion. Pantoja and Moreno fought a close and exciting fight, and the judges ultimately gave the decision to Pantoja.

Du Plessis scored a highlight-reel knockout over former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker. Du Plessis landed a devastating right hand that sent Whittaker to the canvas, and the referee called the fight off at the 2:23 mark of the second round.

Nickal made his UFC debut in impressive fashion, stopping Val Woodburn with strikes in the first round. Nickal, a former NCAA wrestling champion, showed off his power and striking skills in his first UFC fight.

Lawler scored a quick knockout over Niko Price. Lawler landed a series of punches that dropped Price, and the referee called the fight off at the 0:38 mark of the first round.

Bonus Winners: 

Dricus Du Plessis and Denise Gomes were awarded Performance of the Night bonuses. Du Plessis earned his bonus for his knockout win over Robert Whittaker, while Gomes earned her bonus for her first-round knockout win over Yazmin Jauregui. 

Alexandre Pantoja and Brandon Moreno were awarded Fight of the Night honors. Pantoja and Moreno fought a close and exciting fight, and the judges ultimately gave the decision to Pantoja. 

Overall, UFC 290 was a great event with some exciting fights. Volkanovski, Du Plessis, Nickal, and Lawler all put on impressive performances, and Pantoja and Moreno put on a Fight of the Night contender.