UFC 290 Main Card Predictions: Volkanovski vs. Rodriguez, Moreno vs. Pantoja

Here is how our UFC 290 main card predictions shake out.

It's time for another big MMA pay-per-view, and the MMA Knockout staff has you covered with UFC 290 main card predictions.

The event will be held inside the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada this Saturday night (July 8). In the main event, Alexander Volkanovski and Yair Rodriguez will slug it out for the undisputed UFC Featherweight Championship. The co-headliner will feature Brandon Moreno putting his flyweight gold on the line against Alexandre Pantoja.

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Without further delay, let's jump right into the UFC 290 main card predictions.

Alexander Volkanovski vs. Yair Rodriguez

(via Zuffa LLC)

Fernando Quiles Jr.: Volkanovski is the definition of high level. He seemingly always finds a way to get himself out of bad positions and knows how to turn the tables. If Volkanovski and Rodriguez are on the ground, I can see "El Pantera" threatening off his back, but not being able to lock in a submission. Can he hurt Volk on the feet? Absolutely, but I don't see Volkanovski leaving himself open too many times against such a cerebral striker. I think Volkanovski remains patient, and takes his shots throughout five rounds for the win. (Pick: Volkanovski)

Drew Beaupré: Volkanovski’s incredible win streak ended when he lost to Islam Makhachev at UFC 284, but that performance only seemed to raise the Australian’s stock in the eyes of many fans. “The Great” can’t afford to get too comfortable against a dynamic striker like Rodriguez, but Volkanovski has all the tools necessary to neutralize the interim champion’s offense and defend his featherweight title for a fifth time. (Pick: Volkanovski)

Consensus: 2-0, Alexander Volkanovski

Brandon Moreno vs. Alexandre Pantoja

(via Jason da Silva-USA TODAY Sports & Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports)

Fernando Quiles Jr.: We're finally going to know whether or not Pantoja truly has Moreno's number. Moreno is clearly a different fighter than when he met Pantoja inside the Octagon for both of their fights. Pantoja's been on a roll as of late, but I believe it stops here. Look for a lot of scrambles in this one. I think the wrestling is going to be key here, and I see Moreno taking it to a decision or a late finish (Pick: Moreno)

Drew Beaupré: The UFC’s flyweight division finally gets to move on from what was admittedly a fantastic four-fight series between Moreno and Deiveson Figueiredo, and “The Assassin Baby” also gets a chance at revenge when he defends his title against Pantoja. Moreno has made all kinds of improvements since their last meeting in 2018, but Pantoja has looked impressive on his current win streak and might just be capable of unseating the champion. (Pick: Pantoja)

Consensus: 1-1, tied

Robert Whittaker vs. Dricus du Plessis

(via Per Haljestam-USA TODAY Sports)

Fernando Quiles Jr.: Whittaker continues to be at the top of the heap at 185 pounds. The former titleholder has beaten everyone in his way in the division except for current champion Israel Adesanya. One thing du Plessis has going for him is the grappling, and he'll want to try to set the tone with an early takedown. Still, I think given that he's still in his prime, I think Whittaker batters his opponent down the stretch and gets a late TKO. (Pick: Whittaker)

Drew Beaupré: As nice as it would be to see a fresh face challenge Israel Adesanya, Whittaker has beaten every single middleweight he’s faced outside of the current champion. Du Plessis could absolutely make this fight a bit wilder than Whittaker might prefer, but I expect “The Reaper” to get things done and try to convince the UFC that he deserves a third crack at Adesanya. (Pick: Whittaker)

Consensus: 2-0, Robert Whittaker

Jalin Turner vs. Dan Hooker

(via Per Haljestam-USA TODAY Sports)

Fernando Quiles Jr.: Going with Turner in this fight means you're sticking with the hotter hand of the two. Turner had a five-fight winning streak before dropping a split decision to Mateusz Gamrot, while Hooker has gone 2-4 in his last six outings, granted it was against stiff competition. Turner is a real submission threat here and while Hooker is always game, I don't think "The Hangman" pulls this one off. (Pick: Turner) 

Drew Beaupré: This fight hasn’t gotten much love in the lead up to UFC 290 with there being so much focus on the title fights and more significant names, but any matchup featuring top 15 lightweights is always worth watching. Hooker is a tough out for anyone in the division and has shared the Octagon with some of the UFC’s best fighters, but I’ll take Turner to get back on track after the split decision he lost to Mateusz Gamrot. (Pick: Turner)

Consensus: 2-0, Jalin Turner

Bo Nickal vs. Val Woodburn

(via Zuffa LLC)

Fernando Quiles Jr.: This is a fantastic opportunity for Woodburn. If you're going to try to catch Bo Nickal early, you might as well do it on short notice. Woodburn has heavy hands, so don't entirely rule out a tense moment in this fight, but I think Nickal is going to avoid danger and get the first-round finish either via submission or ground-and-pound. (Pick: Bo Nickal)

Drew Beaupré: No fighter should ever be as heavily favored as Nickal is heading into this matchup, but Woodburn hasn’t exactly been given an easy assignment for a short-notice UFC debut. “The Animal” is the more experienced MMA fighter and started his pro career with five-straight finishes, however the competition he’s faced hasn’t been especially high and Nickal seems to be improving every time he steps into the cage. (Pick: Nickal)

Consensus: 2-0, Bo Nickal

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