Fight Night Fridays; UFC 290, VIVA LA MEXICO
- P4 Tha Dogg
- Jul 7, 2023
- 3 min read
UFC 290 PPV
T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
July 8, 2023
All betting odds are from Caesars Sportsbook
Please bet responsibly and within your means.
Fight Card
Prelims
Bantamweight: 8-0 South African Cameron Saaiman Vs 14-2 American Terrence Mitchell
South African undefeated prospect Cameron Saaiman (-600) takes on American Terrence Mitchell (+430). Terrence is a finisher, with 12 of his 14 wins being ended in the first round he is an absolute menace, well rounded as well with 7 KOs and 7 submissions. This is a highly anticipated UFC debut for a 33 year old. He has a tough task ahead of him though, with 22 year old Cameron Saaiman. Cameron has 2 UFC bouts already with a TKO in his debut and a decision victory earlier this year. Serious knockout power on this kid with 5 TKOs and he can grapple with a submission on his resume too.
Light Heavyweight: 12-3-1 Aussie #14 Jimmy Crute Vs 13-3-1 American Alonzo Menifield
This is a rematch of a draw from earlier this year with Alex Volkanovski fellow countrymen 27 year old Jimmy Crute (-140) faces 35 year old knockout artist Alonzo Menifield (+120). Crute “The Brute” is well rounded with 5 KOs and 4 submissions. 4-3-1 in the UFC and prior to the draw was on a 2 fight losing streak. Alonzo on the other hand is 6-3-1 in the UFC and before the draw is coming off back to back TKO finishes.
Welterweight: 29-16 American Robbie Lawler Vs 15-6 American Nico Price
UFC Hall of Famer Robbie Lawler (+185) in his retirement fight, will take on unorthodox fighter Nico Price (-225). Ruthless Robbie is 41 years of age and made his UFC debut at UFC 37 in 2002, over 20 years ago. After a stint in multiple other promotions he returned to the UFC in 2013 and hasn’t looked back. The former UFC champion has run across a rough patch, with a 2-6 record since losing his belt to Tyron Woodley. Long live the great Robbie Lawler.
Main Card
Middleweight: 4-0 American Bo Nickal Vs 7-0 Jamaican Valentine Woodburn
American heavy favorite Bo Nickal (-2500) faces fellow undefeated fighter Val Woodburn (+1100). 27 year old wrestler Bo Nickal won his UFC debut earlier this year with a submission and is hoping to be the next contender in the middleweight division. With 5 KOs and 2 decision wins this 29 year old can throw bombs. Making his UFC debut on short notice against one of the highest rated prospects, Val has a tough test ahead of him.
Jalin “The Tarantula” Turner (-280) faces veteran Dan “The Hangman” Hooker (+230). Jalin coming off a loss after a 5 win streak looks to get back on track against Mr. Hooker. Dan who's coming off a win is hoping to get back to title contention in a stacked lightweight division.
Middleweight: 24-6 Aussie #4 Robert Whittaker Vs 19-2 South African Dricus Du Plessis
Middleweight contenders Robert “The Reaper” Whittaker (-360) and Dricus Du Plessis (+280) face off in the last non title fight of the evening. Bobby Knuckles can beat almost any one except Israel Adesanya is 15-4 in the UFC and is trying to get another shot at the belt. Du Plessis is undefeated in the UFC, at 5-0 with 4 finishes, and is clawing his way up a top heavy middleweight division.
Flyweight Title Bout: 21-6-2 Mexican Undisputed Champion Brandon Moreno Vs 25-5 Brazilian #2 Alexandre Pantoja
Champion Brandon Moreno (-210) has his third bout with Alexandre Pantoja (+175) and we’re upping the stakes. Alexandre is 2-0 against Brandon but it was early in both of their careers he is coming off a 3 fight win streak and is hoping to bring the flyweight belt back to brazil. Brandon is known for going back and forth with fighters, being 2-1-1 against former champ Davidson Figureado.
Featherweight: 25-2 Aussie Champion Alexander Volkanovski Vs 15-3 Mexican Iterm Champion Yair Rodriguez
Featherweight killer Alexander Volkanovski (-370) goes to unify the title against Yair Rodriguez (+290). Alexander Volkanovski is 12-0 in the featherweight division in the UFC. Even with some questionable decisions from the judges during his Max Holloway bouts. Faces the dangerous Yair Rodriguez, with a 10-2 record in the UFC. His only losses have come by former world champions and he has beat a few as well. This should be a great fight to end the night.
Card Expectations: Amazing card, well worth the price of using a russian link to stream. Great mix of veterans and prospects, power and finesse. For my lock of the night I could go with the heavy favorite of Bo Nickal but I’m going with the Meixcans, Brandon Moreno and Yair Rodriguez are both going to win tomorrow night.
Enjoy the card and drink responsibly.
Viva La Mexico!
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